Curated content platform Flipboard is growing out its local news initiative with the addition of 12 new metropolitan areas, as well as partnerships with local news platform Patch and nonprofit newsroom ProPublica.
The local news initiative debuted in 23 metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada in January, and Thursday’s additions raise that total to 35 metro areas served. The new markets are: Baltimore; Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C.; Cleveland; Detroit; Indianapolis; Nashville; Orlando and Tampa Bay, Fla.; Pittsburgh; St. Louis; and Salt Lake City.
Flipboard works with national media outlets and local newspapers, television stations, radio stations, college news sites and blogs in each city to curate content; editors can also incorporate relevant Twitter accounts and Flipboard magazines.
The additions of Patch and ProPublica as partners enabled Flipboard to add the novel coronavirus and the 2020 U.S. presidential election to the seven topics that were already being covered: commute, dining, news, politics, real estate, sports and weather.
“As a provider of local news to communities all across the U.S., it is essential for Patch to partner with platforms to reach relevant audiences,” said Patch president Warren St. John. “Our local coronavirus coverage consists of almost 200 stories per day, and this integration with Flipboard’s local initiative will increase discovery of this important information.”
Local newsrooms will help Flipboard provide the most relevant information for dealing with Covid-19, such as local ordinances and testing stations. And while national media focuses on the presidential election, local sources will help it boost its coverage of state and local races, ballot initiatives, voting rights and voter access.
Flipboard vice president of content and communications Marci McCue added, “Understanding the decisions state and local governments make and their impact on the community is not only important, but gives people a greater connection to their local leaders and the media. For instance, as a local resident, you may want coverage from national newspapers about the coronavirus outbreak, but even more important is a local source that tells you where you can get tested and measures local leaders are taking that impact your daily life.”
