The crisis in local journalism — its disappearance — isn’t something brand new; it’s been brewing for a couple of decades, but now it’s in full flood. “News deserts” are being filled by so-called “pink slime” sites. Disinformation is in ascent. Standards of truth and reliable information have been assaulted. How can we rebuild journalism at a local level and inform fellow citizens reliably? Shaplen describes the history and present challenges and possibilities.