Two new communities are bringing fresh energy to our people-powered journalism movement. Meet the local partners and civic collaborators shaping the next chapter of Documenters.
By Max Resnik, Director of Growth for Documenters
2025 was a year of learning and connection for the Documenters Network. From new newsrooms in Tulsa to deeply impactful Documenter-powered reporting in Detroit, we’ve been inspired again and again by how the Documenters Network brings people together to learn, practice civic journalism skills, and reimagine how local news can build stronger communities.
Now, we’re thrilled to welcome two new Documenters sites–Columbus and Kansas City–where residents are already bringing fresh energy, ideas, and possibilities for what happens when communities and reporters work together.
Columbus Documenters, Powered by Signal Ohio
For the past five years, Signal Ohio has demonstrated the power of building new local newsrooms with Documenters at the center. Columbus joins longstanding Documenters communities in Cleveland, Akron, and Cincinnati, expanding participatory journalism into Ohio’s largest municipality. Dozens of Documenters have already begun covering Columbus City Council meetings while building community virtually across the state of Ohio with Documenters in other Signal sites.
Kansas City Documenters, Powered by The Beacon
With more than 2 million people living in the Kansas City metropolitan area across Kansas and Missouri, local government complicated–and ready for more transparency and accessibility! Since launching in 2020, The Beacon has focused on covering major issues that impact KC communities, providing in-depth reporting that highlights problems and explores solutions. Documenters is a natural fit with The Beacon’s mission and an eager group of KC residents are already trained and monitoring local public meetings. In just the first few weeks, 59 residents have been trained as Documenters, reporting from KC’s City Councils, Utilities, and Planning Commissions.
Earlier this fall, I joined news and civic partners from across the KC metro area to map out collaborative reporting and community-building plans for this new cohort. This is what the Documenters program does best: opens the door for new partnerships and helps newsrooms and civic organizations share resources. All Documenters reporting is made available for republication and creates a pipeline of trained, eager residents who understand local government and have experience thinking creatively about how information spreads within communities.
We’re excited for Columbus and Kansas City to join our growing network, and we can’t wait to share how their leadership and creativity help shape what comes next for Documenters!
Kansas City Documenters at their first training at KCPL North-East Branch in November 2025 (Photo: Zach Bauman for The Beacon)
Interested in bringing Documenters to your community, supporting our work, or exploring partnership opportunities? Reach out to network@citybureau.org!
