Heart of Ohio News Spotlighted by Signal Cleveland as Local Journalism Gains Ground

Heart of Ohio News, a rising force in Ohio’s local media revival, has been featured in Signal Cleveland’s “Weekly Chatter” for its innovative approach to tackling the state’s growing news deserts. The platform, launched to reconnect residents with trusted community information, is quickly gaining traction across Northeast and Northwest Ohio.

With a central website, regular video newscasts, and a distribution network spanning more than 200 community-based Facebook groups, Heart of Ohio News is building a new model for local journalism—one grounded in accessibility, consistency, and civic engagement. The outlet is supported by a lean team and uses proprietary technology to push news content directly into the digital spaces where Ohioans are already active.

This community-first approach is designed to fill the information void left behind by declining traditional newsrooms. From local events to regional policy updates, Heart of Ohio News delivers the kind of neighborhood-level reporting that often goes uncovered by larger outlets.

The project was founded by former Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, who introduced the effort in a video by emphasizing the urgent need for revitalized local news across Ohio. Since its launch, the publication has focused on serving towns from Toledo to Medina to Cleveland and beyond.

While the platform may occasionally express a point of view, its primary goal is public service—reinvigorating the connection between residents and their local institutions.

Recognition by Signal Cleveland—a respected nonprofit newsroom known for civic accountability reporting—marks a significant milestone for Heart of Ohio News and further validates the growing momentum behind local, community-centered media in Ohio. We encourgae our readers to check out the Signal Cleveland article here.