Innovation in Focus
Innovation in Focus is a series exploring new tech, tools and methods of storytelling for journalism. We interview experts, test ideas and provide our findings with templates, guidance and how-tos so you can implement the same innovations in your newsroom.
Sign up for the Innovation in Focus Newsletter to get a monthly delivery of each topic.
Whether you’re a one-man band or a large metro, this series will help you take the next step in innovative journalism.
Email the editor: lytle@rjionline.org
Simplifying civic engagement with local government
Hello from Sioux Falls, South Dakota!
How a new workflow aims to strengthen community relationships through news tips
A guide for streamlining news tips with Airtable, Slack.
Fact checking police claims about crime with data maps
Identifying the influx of one local police department’s calls for service.
Integrating data visualization into a reporter’s workflow
Finding tools and methods that work for your newsroom.
From stickers to suggestion boxes, centering audience in your growth
CivicLex is relaunching its website and newsletter: Here’s how community engagement came first.
Reviving personal ads
A conversation with Brent Stroud at Cincinnati CityBeat.
Personal ads drive community engagement for alt-weekly
How we worked with Pittsburgh City Paper to create a modern-day personals section.
Four ways to break down large revenue goals into short-term experiments
From thank-you notes and swag to email strategies reaching specific audiences, what more than 20 newsrooms tested.
![Cara Kuhlman [right] leads a walking tour for her news outlet, Future Tides. Tour participants hold a sign reading “Future Tides.”](https://rjionline.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/iif25031905.png)
Walking tours for community engagement
A conversation with Cara Kuhlman, Future Tides.
Connecting with communities through walking tours
How we implemented walking tours with Newsberg.