SUNY’s Institute for Local News has officially announced its second class of summer interns, allowing students to participate in journalism throughout the state.
The program pairs students with local news outlets for the summer, allowing them to gain experience in the newsroom while helping local communities. The program, which started in 2025, had 220 participants serving across 25 newsrooms throughout the state.
According to a July 17 press release from SUNY Chancellor John King, the program not only helps students gain invaluable work experience, but ultimately drives traffic to local news organizations.
In 2026, one Binghamton University student, Jill DeCancio, will participate in the program.
“The Institute for Local News provides SUNY students with the opportunity to combine civics and service with experiential learning opportunities that help our students, local news organizations, and New York thrive,” said King.
“With dedicated faculty and strong partnerships with local news outlets, and with thanks to the Institute for Local News and our SUNY Board of Trustees, our students are not only gaining meaningful experience for future careers but also being placed at the forefront of the effort to mitigate newspaper loss and local journalism deserts.”
The program illustrates SUNY’s dedication to preserving local journalism throughout the state, which multiple spokespeople referenced as an industry that needs help.
According to Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, who serves as the chair of the Higher Education Committee in the New York Assembly, it is imperative to preserve strong journalism.
“News outlets are under threat, which is why it is imperative that we cultivate truth-tellers dedicated to uncovering the stories that impact our local neighborhoods,” said Hyndman. “SUNY’s Institute for Local News will give student journalists the right tools to help combat news deserts by pairing them with reputable outlets, while serving communities throughout the Empire State.”
In 2025, Institute for Local News interns contributed to 900 stories, some of which would not have been told without their participation.
According to State Senator and Chair of the Senate’s Higher Education Committee Toby Ann Stavisky, the program will ensure important journalism continues despite staffing shortages.
“City council still meets and the zoning board still votes even when there are no reporters around to record it,” said Stavisky. “This program puts people back in that room, and it trains a reporter in the process. As a former student journalist, I know it’s easiest to learn the craft when you’re the one updating communities on their local issues. ”
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: SUNY announces second class of local news interns
Reporting by Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin | USA TODAY Network
