Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Media topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
9 North presents growth, 4K upgrades and rising use of AI in local public‑media operations
Summary
9 North, the North Suburban public‑access broadcaster serving nine cities including Roseville, told the City Council it expanded local programming, upgraded to 4K studio capabilities and is experimenting with AI‑assisted production; council members praised the station and urged development of policies for AI use in public programming.
Roseville — 9 North, the North Suburban Access Corporation that distributes local government meetings and community programming for nine Twin Cities suburbs, gave the Roseville City Council an annual update on June 16, reporting growth in local production, a recent studio upgrade to 4K and early adoption of AI tools for production tasks.
Why it matters: 9 North records and distributes municipal meetings, candidate forums, community events and feature stories that are a primary local media source for several suburbs. The station’s funding comes largely from cable franchise and PEG fees; the council discussed whether the station should use disclaimers when AI contributes to content.
What 9 North reported
- Scope and services: Executive Director Jeff Onstead told the council Roseville participates in a nine‑city joint powers agreement; the JPA oversees franchise renewal and cable oversight and funds station operations through a portion of cable franchise fees. Onstead said, “We operate three HD channels and four SD channels in Roseville,” and that the station produces both government and community programming.
- Production and reach: Onstead said 9 North produced more than 1,000 hours of original programming in the last year; about 284 hours were focused on Roseville. In 2024 the station recorded approximately 95 Roseville meetings and produced dozens of short “spotlight” stories focused on neighborhoods, history and services.
- Studio upgrades and revenue: The station upgraded studio equipment to 4K late last year and said it supplements public‑access funding with outside client work. Onstead noted a local market demand for 4K studio services and said that outside work helps diversify resources.
- AI use and editorial policy: Onstead described AI as a tool being used to speed workflows and for some “historical photo” restoration and animation, but said the station has not used AI to manipulate contemporary content. Council members asked whether 9 North should add disclaimers to AI‑assisted material; Onstead said the station has discussed putting such a note in credits and “we’ve only really used it for speeding up our workflow…Eventually, we would have that on there somewhere in the credits.”
Council reaction and implications
Council members praised 9 North as a civic asset. Council member Strahan thanked director Matt Johnson and his staff for outreach and programming; Council member Grama said 9 North “gives us a voice” and fills a local reporting gap left by fewer physical newspapers. Several council members suggested the station adopt a formal AI policy to ensure transparency for viewers.
Ending
9 North’s update showed steady local production and an embrace of new technology, while also raising a narrower policy question: how public broadcasters should label or signal the use of AI in content. The council encouraged 9 North to work with city staff on an appropriate disclosure approach and to continue producing local forums and meetings that are a primary information source for Roseville residents.
