An AI company set out to fix news deserts. Instead, it copied local journalists’ work - Poynter

Via Poynter Institute

"Artificial intelligence company Nota — whose clients include organizations like The Boston Globe and the Institute for Nonprofit News — is scrapping its network of local news sites after learning that they contained dozens of instances of plagiarism.

The closure comes after Axios Richmond and Poynter alerted CEO Josh Brandau that multiple stories on Nota’s sites included reporting and photographs lifted from local news outlets. The 11 sites — collectively called Nota News — launched in September as an effort to bring “bilingual local reporting and civic tools to underserved communities,” according to a press release.

Each site focused on a specific county — or in one case, two counties — identified as lacking local news coverage. Until Monday, two part-time editors worked across the 11 sites, generating articles using Nota’s AI tools. The stories covered topics ranging from local affordable housing initiatives to public school events and were published in both English and Spanish.

The articles were supposed to be based on publicly available civic information, such as press releases and videos of city council meetings. In reality, Poynter found more than 70 stories dating back to October that included reporting, writing and photography from local journalists without attribution."

Continue reading the article shared from - https://www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2026/nota-news-local-outlets-ai-plagiarism/?mc_cid=f1c63f46fd&mc_eid=8610d09f16

Local News Fact Sheet | Pew Research Center = "21% of Americans say they follow local news very closely"

"The landscape of local news in the United States has changed significantly in recent decades as Americans have been turning away from print and television and toward digital media. This fact sheet examines Americans’ experiences and preferences when it comes to local news, from data starting in 2016.

The fact sheet is part of the Pew-Knight Initiative, a research program funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Attention to local news

Attention to local news has declined since 2016, mirroring trends in attention to national news and news in general. In 2025, 21% of Americans say they follow local news very closely, down from 37% in 2016."

One of the many charts in this fact sheet

When "21% of Americans say they follow local news very closely", this will help explain why we see the low turnout of registered votes in local elections.

Continue reading the fact sheet - https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/local-news-fact-sheet/?mc_cid=f1c63f46fd&mc_eid=8610d09f16

National News Round up - Monday, Feb 23, 2026

• Worst of the worst? Most US immigrants targeted for deportation in 2025 had no criminal charges, documents reveal https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/22/us-immigration-trump-administration?CMP=share_btn_url

Most US immigrants targeted for deportation in 2025 had no criminal charges, documents reveal

• Homeland security to suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/22/homeland-security-suspends-tsa-precheck-global-entry-airport-security-programs?CMP=share_btn_url 

• Examples of Censorship from National Parks Conservation Association et. al. v. Department of the Interior, et. al. https://democracyforward.org/news/press-releases/examples-of-censorship-from-national-parks-conservation-association-et-al-v-department-of-the-interior-et-al/

• Trump’s Trade Gamble Will Continue, Despite Supreme Court Rebuke  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/business/economy/trump-tariffs-trade-war.html?unlocked_article_code=1.OFA.s-LJ.7kUNw85HPdei&smid=url-share

Take this survey, Please !!!

Franklin TV, Franklin Public Radio, and Franklin Matters are working together striving to advance the greater good, bringing us together as a community, so that our focus is not on what divides us, but what brings us together. To that end, we need your help with the following survey questions. 

Please fill out (online -> https://bit.ly/FCCA_NewsSurvey ) or via paper copy (and send to Franklin TV) so we can evaluate our services for the community and enhance as necessary. 

Your thoughts are important to us. 

Thank you!

Take this survey, Please !!!

Your input is requested for the Franklin MA Cable News Awareness Survey

Franklin TV, Franklin Public Radio, and Franklin Matters are working together striving to advance the greater good, bringing us together as a community, so that our focus is not on what divides us, but what brings us together. To that end, we need your help with the following survey questions. 

Please fill out (online -> https://bit.ly/FCCA_NewsSurvey ) or via paper copy (and send to Franklin TV) so we can evaluate our services for the community and enhance as necessary. 

Your thoughts are important to us. 

Thank you!

Your input is requested for the Franklin MA Cable News Awareness Survey

 

Your input is requested for the Franklin MA Cable News Awareness Survey

Franklin TV, Franklin Public Radio, and Franklin Matters are working together striving to advance the greater good, bringing us together as a community, so that our focus is not on what divides us, but what brings us together. To that end, we need your help with the following survey questions. 

Please fill out (online -> https://bit.ly/FCCA_NewsSurvey ) or via paper copy (and send to Franklin TV) so we can evaluate our services for the community and enhance as necessary. 

Your thoughts are important to us. 

Thank you!

Your input is requested for the Franklin MA Cable News Awareness Survey

 

Last days to try your hand at the "Year in Review" Quiz on the News in the Town of Franklin for 2023?

How closely did you pay attention to the Town of Franklin news during 2023?

A Town of Franklin "Year in Review" news quiz 

10 questions (10 points each), and a bonus question (5 points).

Submit a valid email at the beginning of the quiz, and at the end of the quiz, you can select to receive how you did on the quiz sent to that email.

We'll keep the quiz open until January 7, 2024 and share the overall results.

Take the quiz in the embedded form below or follow this link ->
https://forms.gle/RABScYHFy2mKLgiX7

Franklin Public Library News & Events for December 2023

**LIBRARY NEWS**

Library Hours
The Library's hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This Holiday season the Library will be open Saturday December 23^rd and 30^th from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The Library will be closed December 24^th, 25^th, 31^st, and January 1^st.

Franklin Reads!
This winter's community-wide read is Tracy Kidder's Rough Sleepers, a real-life portrait of Boston's homeless population and those on a mission to help them.

About the book:  After Jim O'Connell graduated from Harvard Medical School and was nearing the end of his residency at Massachusetts General, the hospital's chief of medicine made a proposal: Would he defer a prestigious fellowship and spend a year helping to create an organization to bring health care to homeless citizens? That year turned into O'Connell's life's calling. Tracy Kidder spent five years following Dr. O'Connell and his colleagues as they work with thousands of homeless patients, some of whom we meet in this illuminating book. We travel with O'Connell as he navigates the city streets at night, offering medical care, socks, soup, empathy, humor, and friendship to some of the city's most endangered citizens.
Where can I get a copy of Rough Sleepers? Beginning December 1st there will be many extra print copies available at the library and it is also available on Libby and through interlibrary loan.

Museum Passes
Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area's most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, December 8^th, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday December 9^th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, December 9^th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
In our second year of providing free tax preparation assistance through the VITA IRS program the Franklin Public Library is looking for volunteers! While tax season starts in February; planning, training, and scheduling can begin today! To sign up or to find more information please email Site Coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net!

Franklin Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program
Volunteer tutors needed! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed!  Volunteer tutors and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the registration form on the library's website.

Massachusetts Center for the Book 2023 Reading Challenge
December: A Book Published in 2023
Do you have a cozy reading corner you've been wanting to spend more time in? Do you have a group of friends who like to select books together? Maybe a little constraint helps you choose what to read next. If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered. Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge

Shared from -> (Read the full newsletter here)  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/december-2023-franklin-library-news-events

Franklin Public Library News & Events for December 2023

Franklin TV: New? News! Welcome to Franklin

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 01/29/2023

If you’re new in town – welcome! Thanks to Franklin Newcomers & Friends, here’s where you can gain traction on all things Franklin. http://franklinnewcomers.com/

GENERAL INFO:

Town of Franklin: https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Need a helping hand? Visit the Franklin Area Nonprofit Network. https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/

Franklin Downtown Partnership: https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Franklin Arts & Culture: https://www.franklinculture.org/

For MOM:

The MOMS Club of Franklin is a non-profit, international organization comprised of stay-at-home mothers and their children. https://www.meetup.com/MOMS-Club-of-Franklin/

For the KIDS:

Hockomock Area YMCA: http://www.hockymca.org

Franklin Youth Soccer Association: http://www.franklinyouthsoccer.org 

Franklin Youth Baseball: http://www.franklinyouthbaseball.com 

Franklin Youth Hockey: http://www.franklinflyers.org

Franklin’s Veterans Skating Arena:

http://www.fmcicesports.com/public/locations/franklin/index.htm

For NEWS:

Franklin Matters, your daily source of information about what matters in Franklin, Massachusetts (daily): http://www.franklinmatters.org

Franklin Observer (daily): https://franklinobserver.town.news/

Franklin Town News (monthly): https://www.franklintownnews.com/

Local Radio:

Franklin Public Radio, on 102.9: https://www.wfpr.fm/ 

Dean College’s Power88 WGAO: http://www.power883.org/ 

Milford’s MyFM: https://myfm1013.com/

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Franklin Town News runs correction on October issue with political spotlight appearing as an endorsement instead of a paid ad

Raymond D Milici (@raymilici1199) tweeted on Tue, Nov 01, 2022:

https://twitter.com/raymilici1199/status/1587621342647566336

https://twitter.com/raymilici1199/status/1587621919657951238

Franklin High School: Important Information and Dates for October to December 2022

Franklin High School News: Important Information and Dates

October - December

 

Oct 15       PSAT's at FHS for the class of 2024; 7:30 am to 12:30 pm-- register your Junior HERE until 9/23/22

Oct 19       Theater II presents Cabaret: Too Much Light Makes the Baby go Blind  7PM in the FHS Auditorium Tickets $5 for students, $10 for Adults

Oct 20      Theater II presents Cabaret: Too Much Light Makes the Baby go Blind  7PM in the FHS Auditorium Tickets $5 for students, $10 for Adults

Oct 21       Homecoming Football Game VS Attleboro at 7 pm on FHS Pisini Field

Oct 22      Homecoming Dance at 7 PM in the FHS Gym; click to buy tickets; proceeds go to a Breast Cancer charity

Oct 28      Half Day of School; dismissal at 10:55 AM

Nov 8       No School PDD Day/Election Day

Nov 9       Half Day-Parent Conferences in person during the afternoon and evening; dismissal at 10:55 AM

Nov 10     Half Day-Parent Conferences - virtual only; dismissal at 10:55 AM

Nov 11      No School - Veteran's Day

Nov 11      FHS Theater Co presents: Cinderella 7 PM in the FHS Auditorium

Nov 12     FHS Theater Co presents: Cinderella 2 PM in the FHS Auditorium

Nov 15     TriM Induction Ceremony and Chamber Concert @ 7PM FHS Auditorium

Nov 18     FHS Theater Co presents: Cinderella 7 PM in the FHS Auditorium

Nov 19     FHS Theater Co presents: Cinderella 7 PM in the FHS Auditorium

Nov 23 through 25 No School -Thanksgiving Break

Dec 6       FHS Chorus and Orchestra Concert @ 7PM in the FHS Auditorium (snow date 12/9)

Dec 7       Half Day of School; dismissal at 10:55 AM; no lunch served

Dec 8       FHS Band Concert @ 7 PM in the FHS Auditorium (Snow Date 12/9)

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• New Student Registration >> click HERE
• Moving? Complete a Change of Address form >> click HERE
• School Bus Routes for the 2022-2023 School Year-click HERE
• Register your Franklin Public Schools Chromebook and purchase insurance for it HERE

Shared from Franklin High School -> https://www.franklinps.net/fhs/news/school-news-important-information-and-dates

Franklin High School: Important Information and Dates for October to December 2022

Helping Voters with Disabilities Participate in Our Democratic Process

During the 2022 midterm election, 38.3 million voters with disabilities will have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. These voters may include you, one of your friends, or a family member.

Voters with disabilities face unique obstacles when casting their ballots. The Help America Vote Act ensures that all voters with disabilities have the right to mark, cast, and verify their ballots privately and independently.

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) helps voters with disabilities register to vote and understand their options to cast ballots. 

Helping Voters with Disabilities Participate in Our Democratic Process

Continue reading this article -> https://blog.ssa.gov/helping-voters-with-disabilities-participate-in-our-democratic-process/

What is Franklin TV, radio and News doing in this arena?

Election interviews in particular are shared in video and audio formats where possible. If needed, a transcript of either can be made available. We are working towards making the combination an 'automatic' production so in the meantime, feel free to ask for a transcript.

Comment on this post to request a transcript of an interview, or send an email to sgsherlock@franklinmatters.org

"Half of all the refund money will go to the top 10 percent of households by income."

"THE STATE is preparing to pay out $1.4 billion in “illusory” funds under the tax cap law, giving wealthy taxpayers a huge windfall, according to a report from the left-leaning Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.

Officials at the center say they are not accusing state officials of doing anything wrong or making a math error. Instead, they are saying a set of unusual circumstances are combining to inflate the amount of taxes collected in excess of the tax cap, and doing so in a way that shortchanges the state and allows wealthy taxpayers to gain an even bigger benefit than they normally would.

“The affluent win in every way,” said Phineas Baxandall, senior policy analyst and advocacy director at the Budget and Policy Center.

The broad outlines of the situation have been raised before, but the Budget and Policy Center report is the first time the dollar impact has been spelled out. The report calls on state leaders to address the situation, but they have shown little interest so far in intervening to change the tax cap law."

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/report-calls-big-chunk-of-tax-cap-funds-illusory/

Reading between the lines, if the Governor wasn't so hasty in trying to the funds returned by check and used the tax rebate process, the 'illusion' might work itself out.  

The State House News Service, shared via Franklin Observer, tries to focus on the issue as party based:

Q1 State Tax Take Surpasses Record FY `22 Pace, but No Tax Relief in Sight

The golden dome of the State House. (Photo by Andy Metzger)

More Perfect Union: 057 - The Local News Crisis (audio)

In this episode, the group is joined by Stephen Sherlock of Franklin Matters, Alan Earls of the Franklin Observer, and Martin Luttrell, former long-time reporter for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, to dive into the issue of "The Local News Desert" - the dissolution of smaller local news outlets, discussing the decline of readership seen by newspapers, the economics of small businesses, the importance journalism plays in your community and the online future for regional reporting.

If you'd like to learn more about Steve Sherlock and the news Franklin Matters brings to the Franklin community, you can visit their here:   https://www.franklinmatters.org/

If you'd like to learn more about Alan Earls and the reporting done from Franklin Observer, you can visit them here:   https://franklinobserver.town.news/

Audio file -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/057-the-local-news-crisis

Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)

News Literacy in Cedar Falls: Ande McMorris (video)

"When I'm on social media I see a lot of misinformation. Sometimes I think [it's] true. It really mixes up my train of thought." - Ande McMorris, a Sr & 🏈 captain at Cedar Falls HS, IA

But using @NewsLitProject's #Checkology has made a big diff 4 Ande ⤵️ Video link -> https://t.co/X3Fc7rewpc or https://youtu.be/im-xg0zK8mk

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jakelam2116/status/1473075132155318272

Find the NewsLitProject -> https://newslit.org/

PantherTV - News for 12/10/21 (video)

"This week we showcase the National Art Honors Society, Gymnastics Coach Paula Lupien, and senior Mack Gulla. Panther News, Dec. 10, 2021!"

Video link -> https://youtu.be/9QaWfXfTHa0

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1469012227613245446

Panther TV News for May 7, 2021 (video)

Panther TV News for May 7, 2021 

 

Panther TV: Panther News Apr 8, 2021

We're all excited for our full reopening on Monday!!! This show has all you need to know to make your first day back a good one. @FHSPantherbook @FranklinPSNews @FranklinHS 

https://t.co/O8joVqUrIV via @YouTube

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1380195919656796160

Panther TV: Panther News for Apr 1, 2021

Friday's Panther News...a day early! Check out all the latest news and announcements, plus an interview reflecting on our full in-person return coming in just a few weeks!  @FHSPantherbook @FranklinPSNews @FranklinHS

https://t.co/wLBaDBhhUM via @YouTube

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1377640378522865664

Panther TV: News - March 26, 2021 (video)

Panther TV (@fhspanthertv) tweeted on Fri, Mar 26, 2021:

Panther News, March 26, 2021  @FranklinPSNews @FHSPantherbook @FranklinHS    

https://t.co/KBp9SP6mxo via @YouTube

Shaed from Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1375492461016055813