With print papers across the nation moving toward a regional and national platform, local news is harder to come by in smaller communities.

“Magic Mile Media launched Neuse News in 2018 out of frustration with a lack of community backyard news the way it was told 60 years ago,” said BJ Murphy, owner of Magic Mile Media, Inc. and publisher of Neuse News.

With the help of Magic Mile Media, Lexington-based DavidsonLocal.com launches on Monday, April 5, and already has over 250 daily subscribers. In less than two and a half years of publication, Neuse News has 5,000 daily subscribers. The all-digital local news model, based on the experiences of Neuse News, will feature current events, investigative pieces, and more local content for Davidson County, NC.

“Local news is a real passion. We got our start working at our high school newspaper. It doesn’t get more local than talking about your high school,” said Antoinette Kerr.

Kerr and Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart have years of experience in local news, which is where they started their careers. Their combined experience in journalism, publishing, and civic volunteerism gave them the confidence to launch Davidson Local.

“We saw a need for local news in our community,” said Kerr. “An opportunity presented itself and we took it and ran with it.”

Print news is often owned by larger corporations who focus more on regional or state news which helps drive revenue through their advertising with a wider audience.

“The frustration of online paywalls, pop-up ads, and subscription fees led to Neuse News. We wanted to negate all the traditional means of the underwriting of the news business and focus on local news supported by the business community’s advertising dollars,” said Murphy

A partnership between Magic Mile Media and Davidson Local will bring the city of Lexington and the surrounding communities the local news they deserve.

“Magic Mile Media has been a great partner in getting this moving forward. They’ve been responsive, and just kind,” said Kerr.

Davidson Local’s goal is to become a news source trusted by their community.

“I would define it as a go-to resource for local news. That it would be the expectation that we’re going to have the correct information of what is taking place in Davidson County. That we continue to produce the news with integrity and intent and do it in a way that feels fair and balanced,” said Lockhart.