Local News Sources in Livingston County

It amazes me how many people don't read the newspaper, or who don't seem to care. I guess we're so used to talk radio and sound bites on the networks and from the big media outlets that it's just 'too easy' to forget about other sources.

We are fortunate in our area to have a great local paper, The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus. Published every day except Saturday, they have wonderful local coverage. They're a Gannett Paper, so if you also subscribe to the Detroit Free Press, you'll occasionally see a duplicated Editorial or top Detroit area news story. I like reading the local City and Township Meeting minutes or synopses to keep up what's happening - often before it makes the big 'news'. They also have a very robust online edition at http://www.livingstondaily.com/, although the reader comments often strike me as either immature or 'having an axe to grind'. Such is life in a Democracy, however, and it's good to have such venues available.

A strictly online news source is the newer LivingstonTalk.com. Started by two long-time County journalists laid off from the Press & Argus, this outlet is gaining traction. Geared more towards features and local events, they do have a news feed from the local radio station (WHMI-FM) as well as from CNN, but they emphasize community news. Their tagline is "100% Locally Owned & Independent" and I've become an avid reader/visitor of the site. If you haven't visited them, yet, do so. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

And speaking of radio, WHMI 93.5 FM is a locally owned and operated station-not part of a large syndicate. The music programming is largely what you'd call 'hits' and classic rock, but they do a great job with local news reports, too. Weekend programming is a bit more varied. Their web site is really quite extensive in regards to local, Michigan and national news reports and they have a fantastic community events calendar, too. Their front page is pretty much a snapshot of anything you'd want to know about in Livingston County or for topical news.

And don't forget about your local City or Township web sites. Some are quite elaborate and contain past meeting agendas and minutes, agendas for upcoming meetings, etc. The City of Brighton website, for example, has meetings of all municipal Boards, including the DDA, Arts and Culture, Zoning Board of Appeals, and more. I know that few of us have the time to regularly attend such meetings and local Cable doesn't do a great job of coverage, but you can read the reports published in your paper or on the government web sites.