Local Media
Local media outlets serve the local media market and cover relevant local news. Media outlets can include print, radio, television, and other newer platforms such as podcasts. Knowing which outlets have the local and regional megaphone can help you target your editorial board outreach, develop an op-ed and letter to the editor strategy, and get your message out through earned media and creative marketing. These are also resources to get the community’s pulse on various issues, including your project.
Situational Analysis
Lawrence County is located north of Pittsburgh, PA and east of Youngstown, OH—falling within those two larger media markets. Many of the television and radio stations are run out of Pittsburgh and Youngstown, however, the region also has a few news outlets that cover local news. The local papers such as the New Castle New will carry more regular and detailed reporting on the progress of the projects. Regional and specialized papers such as the Pittsburgh Gazette-Post or the Pittsburgh Business Times may be helpful to reach new or targeted audiences. There are also several Facebook groups that could be useful avenues for sharing information or continuing opinion research.
Local Media Outlets
Print/Digital:
- Debbie Wachter, Reporter covering local news, county government, and environmental issues. She has covered the Firefly project in the past. | dwachter@ncnewsonline.com
- Pete Sirianni, Editor | psirianni@ncnewsonline.com
- See full newsroom directory here.
- Chrissy Suttles, Business and Energy Reporter | csuttles@gannett.com
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Main newspaper out of Pittsburgh. Has a paywall, but is well respected and largest traditional media institution in the region. They also have regular newsletters that they send to subscribers.
- Teresa Lindeman, Managing Editor/News & Features, tlindeman@post-gazette.com; Jeff Gerritt, PG Editorial Page Editor, jgerritt@post-gazette.com; Tim McDonough, Assistant Managing Editor, News, tmcdonough@post-gazette.com; view full newsroom directory here.
Pittsburgh Business Times | The Pittsburgh regional brand of American City Business Journals that cover economic and business news.
- Paul J. Gough, Reporter, has reported on Firefly before and covers energy and health care for the Business Times | pgough@bizjournals.com, 412-208-3827
Television:
- NBC 11 WPXI | NBC affiliated based in Pittsburgh.
Newstips, desk@wpxi.com
- CBS 2 KDKA | CBS affiliate based in Pittsburgh
Newstips, newsdesk@kdka.com | 412-575-2245
- NBC 21 WFMJ | NBC local affiliate based in Youngstown, OH
Newstips, news@wfmj.com
- CBS 27 WKBN | CBS affiliate based in Youngstown, OH.
- Patty Coller: Patty has previously written articles about Firefly.
Newstips, reportit@wkbn.com
- ABC 33 KYTV | ABC affiliate based in Youngstown, OH
Radio:
- WYSU Public Radio | Youngstown, OH
Newstips, info@wysu.org
- WESA Public Radio | Pittsburgh
Newstips, news@wesa.fm
These are the conservative radio stations that carries personalities like Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro. Likely limited opportunities to get earned media from these outlets, but could be an advertising opportunity for reaching conservatives.
Facebook Groups
North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
- An active group, but limited in number and tends not to be a forum for discussing community issues.
Lawrence County, PA Community Events and Happenings
- An active private group discussing community events.
Relevant Local Reporting
- Lawrence County Farmer Challenges Local Ordinance Prohibiting Installation Of Solar Energy Facilities On Farms Under State’s Right To Farm Act; Attorney General Reviewing, PA Environment Digest (5/26/22)
- The impact of the solar debate on the farming communities of western Pennsylvania, Farm and Dairy (5/24/22)
- Lawrence County growing in green energy, WKBN 27 (4/22/2022)
- Editorial: Solar heats up in Western Pa., Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (3/31/2022) - this editorial strikes a good balance that residents of Lawrence County would likely be responsive to.
- Vesper Energy Developing 200 MW Solar Energy Project In Lawrence County, PA Environment Digest Blog (3/16/22)
- Solar project planned for Lawrence County, Pittsburgh Business Times (3/16/22)
- Is solar energy a threat to Pa. farming? Lawmakers must lead as solar projects increase, GoErie (2/27/22)
