About The Local
Your essential Fort Wayne news brief.
Hi there,
Kara Hackett here – editor of The Local. We’re an independent weekly newsletter covering Fort Wayne news, culture, and events. I co-founded The Local in 2023 with my husband Michael. We’re long-time Fort Wayne residents who care deeply about this community and its people.
Before founding The Local, I spent a decade reporting for outlets like The Journal Gazette and Input Fort Wayne. But the news industry is changing, and we saw the need for a publication that could help you sort through the overwhelming headlines coming across your screens on a daily basis and break down the information you want most.
At The Local, we aim to streamline your weekly news intake, bridging the gap between traditional journalism and our current social media-driven moment. We believe accessible information and trust-based relationships are the building blocks of community. And we’re committed to becoming your go-to source for understanding what’s happening around town, why it matters and what it means for you.
“Whenever the Local newsletter drops into my inbox, I stop what I'm doing and read it. It helps me feel connected to what's going on in Fort Wayne without having to swim through news articles online.”- Kelly, subscriber
“It feels like a source for local news and stories that's truly for the people of this community."-Molly, subscriber
"Reading the emails feels less like a typical news article and more like you’re hearing from a friend in the know.”- Evan, subscriber
We work for you.
Think of us as your own personal reporters, putting our newsgathering skills to work for your benefit. Send us questions, tips or topics to explore at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.
And if we can't cover something ourselves, we'll try to connect you with a reporter who can.
How we're funded.
The Local is funded primarily by reader subscriptions to our paid newsletter, with additional support from community sponsors and the occasional small grant mixed in.
This means we’re not beholden to major funders or outside interests — just you, our readers and community members.
It also means we need your support to keep doing this work. Become a paid subscriber today to help us keep The Local as independent as possible (and get some great perks in return).
What do you get when you subscribe?
By subscribing for free, you'll receive a shorter version of The Local’s Tuesday morning email rundown, listing a few key stories and events we’re following that week. You can also access all articles in the Stories tab on our website. (So please read and share them with your friends on social media—subscribers or not!)
When you become a paid member for only $6 per month, you’ll get the full edition of the newsletter, elevated with original reporting, insights and tips you won’t find anywhere else. You'll also get some special members-only content and opportunities from time to time (think exclusive events).
If you subscribe for anything more than $6 per month, you’ll get all of this, plus, you’ll be supporting us to do even more independent reporting on issues, ideas, and trends that locals like yourself care about most.
Let's stay in touch!