Working together to share knowledge and solve local issues.

Beyond the Headlines was a special initiative that explored the vital connection between democracy, journalism, and the humanities. The events and resources responded to concerns about a national decline in local news coverage and growing distrust in the news.

These trends continue to raise serious questions about whether we as citizens can access the information we need to participate knowledgeably in civic life.

Between 2018 and 2022, Wisconsin Humanities worked in Eau Claire, Madison, Superior, Wausau, the Coulee Region, the Greater Green Bay Region, and the Northwoods to identify local issues of concern. These conversations with community members, local leaders, journalists, elected officials, and issue experts resulted in events around the state, a website of resources, and expanded news coverage about Wisconsin water health and the Great Lakes, poverty, law enforcement, and media literacy and transparency.