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Advocates urge state journalism fellowships to shore up local newsrooms
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee · February 17, 2026
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Summary
Proponents told the committee HB 5,159 would seed local reporting by funding at least 12 fellowships administered through higher education, pointing to pilot models in New Mexico, California and Washington as evidence the approach can sustain local coverage and train journalists.
Supporters of HB 5,159 told the committee the state should fund a fellowship program to place early‑career journalists in local newsrooms and university programs.
"A small investment in sustaining and growing journalism" could pay dividends, Bruce Putterman, publisher of The Connecticut…
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