06/09/2026
Please be careful about fake “local news” pages. A message to our readers, followers, and community.
We want to make our community aware of a growing concern: AI-generated websites and pages are popping up that appear to be local news or community information sources, but many contain errors, misleading posts, copied content, or information that is not verified.
These pages may look legitimate at first glance. They may use local town names, community photos, breaking-news-style headlines, or posts designed to get quick reactions. But too often, their real goal is not to serve the community. Their goal is to build followers, collect email addresses, generate clicks, and make money from traffic.
Why that matters.
Real local publishers and content creators live here, work here, answer to the community, verify information, correct mistakes, attend meetings, support local businesses, and care about the people behind the stories. AI pages and fake “local” sites do not have that same accountability. They can spread confusion quickly, damage reputations, and take attention away from legitimate local journalism.
Before you follow, share, subscribe, or give your email address to a page claiming to be a local source, please take a moment to check:
Does the page list real local people behind it?
Does it have a physical connection to the community?
Are there bylines, contact information, and accountability?
Is the information original and verified?
Does the page correct mistakes when they happen?
AI can be a useful tool, but pretending to be a trusted local news source while spreading errors and harvesting followers is not community service. It is exploitation.
We appreciate every reader, advertiser, subscriber, and follower who supports legitimate local media. Your support helps keep real community reporting alive. Please be careful about what you share, question pages that seem suspicious, and continue supporting the people and businesses who are truly invested in our community.
Local journalism matters. Local accountability matters. And our community deserves better than fake news pages chasing clicks.
