Amid election hype in the United States, we caught up with local news journalist Kevin Flores, editor and co-creator of grassroots multi-media publication FORTHE, to check in on this cycle’s most urgent policies as well as a compare-contrast national versus civic political engagement.
In addition to hyperlocal news coverage, the independent media collective organizes voter guides with background on local candidates as well as city and state ballot measures to keep residents in the loop.
“There’s an increased interest in people trying to understand the power dynamics of city government,” Flores said, noting a traditionally dismal trend, consistent nationwide. “People are realizing more and more that that’s where a lot of really important decisions are made that can affect their lives.”
FORTHE serves the coastal community of Long Beach, California. A neighbour to Los Angeles, the city is split into nine districts and is home to about half a million residents.
Watch the interview on Youtube here.
Read, watch and listen to Flores’ and his team’s coverage of a distant land at forthe.org.