Who’s filling the local news void in Philly’s suburbs?

As local newspapers Philly suburbs continue to shrink, dozens of scrappy, new media startups have risen to fill the gaps in coverage. What that means for your community.

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The Pottstown Mercury and the Times Herald of Norristown, both owned by Alden Global Capital, often publish the same stories by the same reporters. On a recent Monday, Evan Brandt had front page stories in both papers. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

The Pottstown Mercury and the Times Herald of Norristown, both owned by Alden Global Capital, often publish the same stories by the same reporters. On a recent Monday, Evan Brandt had front page stories in both papers. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

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As local newspapers in the Philly suburbs continue to shrink, dozens of scrappy, new media startups have risen to fill the gaps in coverage. WHYY’s Laura Benshoff explains what that’s doing to the quality of local journalism, and why those changes are impacting local communities.

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