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Nonprofit newsroom founded in Lafayette joins southern journalism network

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 15:40 GMT by The Advocate
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The Current in Lafayette Joins Forces with Deep South Today: A New Era for Southern Journalism

In a move that signals a renewed commitment to local and regional reporting, The Current—the daily newspaper that has served Lafayette, Louisiana, and the surrounding Acadiana region for more than a century—has announced a formal partnership with Deep South Today, an emerging nonprofit news organization dedicated to covering the Gulf Coast and the broader southern United States. The collaboration, unveiled on March 12, 2024, will combine the deep-rooted local expertise of The Current with the fresh, mission-driven approach of Deep South Today, creating a powerful platform for in‑depth, investigative journalism that speaks directly to the people of Acadiana and beyond.

Why This Partnership Matters

For decades, The Current has chronicled the economic, cultural, and political life of Lafayette and the Acadiana region. Owned by the Hearst Corporation—a media giant that also publishes The Advocate in New Orleans—The Current has maintained a strong print presence and a growing digital footprint. Yet, like many local papers nationwide, it has faced mounting challenges: shrinking advertising revenue, increased competition from online news aggregators, and the urgent need to adapt to a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Enter Deep South Today. Launched in 2020, Deep South Today is a nonprofit news venture that leverages a distributed network of journalists, data analysts, and community contributors to deliver stories that often slip through the cracks of mainstream outlets. Its focus on environmental stewardship, agricultural innovation, energy policy, and grassroots civic engagement aligns closely with the issues that matter most to residents of Acadiana. The organization’s mission—“to illuminate the stories of the Deep South in a way that empowers communities and fosters informed public discourse”—has resonated with a growing audience hungry for reliable, context-rich journalism.

By joining forces, The Current and Deep South Today aim to combine the strengths of a seasoned newsroom with the agility and mission‑driven spirit of a nonprofit. The partnership will:

• Expand Coverage Scope: While The Current has traditionally focused on local politics, business, and community events, Deep South Today brings a wealth of expertise on regional environmental issues, energy transition, and agricultural economics. Together, the outlets will provide more comprehensive coverage of how state and federal policies impact the people of Lafayette and the Gulf Coast.
• Leverage Shared Resources: The partnership will enable shared access to archival databases, data‑visualization tools, and investigative research teams—cutting costs and accelerating turnaround times for hard‑hitting stories.
• Enhance Digital Platforms: Both outlets will co‑publish articles on a new, unified digital portal (thedcurrent.com/deepsouth) that offers a seamless reader experience, combined subscription models, and interactive multimedia content.
• Strengthen Community Engagement: Joint community forums, town‑hall meetings, and educational workshops will bring reporters, policymakers, and citizens together to discuss pressing local and regional concerns.

Voices Behind the Collaboration

In a joint statement released on The Current’s website, editor Michael Thompson expressed enthusiasm for the partnership:

“Lafayette’s residents deserve journalism that not only informs but also empowers. By partnering with Deep South Today, we’re amplifying the stories that matter most to our community—whether it’s the farmers who feed the region, the oil and gas workers who support our economy, or the residents who protect our environment. Together, we’ll provide more nuanced, context‑rich reporting that serves the public interest.”

Deep South Today’s executive editor, Sarah Rodriguez, echoed Thompson’s sentiment:

“Our mission has always been to give voice to underserved communities. The Current has a deep understanding of the Acadiana region’s pulse. This partnership is a natural extension of that mission. By combining our strengths, we’ll create a platform where local voices can be heard on a broader stage.”

How the Partnership Will Work in Practice

The two organizations have already outlined a practical roadmap for the first year of collaboration:

1. Content Co‑Production
   * The Current will produce weekly in‑depth features on local economic development, healthcare, and education, while Deep South Today will contribute investigative pieces on environmental policy, renewable energy, and climate resilience. These stories will be cross‑posted on both outlets’ websites and shared on social media channels.

2. Shared Archival Access
   Journalists from both teams will gain access to each other’s historical archives, enabling richer context for long‑term trend analyses. For example, Deep South Today’s environmental reporters can tap into The Current’s decade‑long coverage of regional water‑quality issues, while The Current’s local political correspondents can consult Deep South Today*’s investigative reports on state‑level policy shifts.

3. Joint Data Projects
   An integrated data team will create interactive dashboards covering topics such as crop yields, energy production, and public health metrics—tools that are already a staple of Deep South Today’s reporting.

4. Shared Events and Initiatives
   Both outlets will host quarterly community forums featuring policymakers, industry leaders, and residents. These events will be streamed live and archived on their digital platform.

5. Unified Subscription Model
   Subscribers to either outlet will receive cross‑access to the other’s content, encouraging cross‑audience engagement. A joint subscription tier will offer premium multimedia content, newsletters, and event discounts.

Looking Ahead

The partnership is still in its nascent stage, but early signs suggest a promising future. In an interview with The Advocate’s investigative reporter, The Current’s managing editor, Julie Moreno, highlighted the strategic benefits:

“By aligning with Deep South Today, we’re not just extending our brand; we’re enhancing the credibility and depth of our journalism. This collaboration signals to advertisers and readers alike that we’re committed to sustaining a high‑quality, community‑focused news ecosystem.”

While Deep South Today’s founders are optimistic about the partnership’s potential, they remain mindful of the challenges ahead: maintaining editorial independence, navigating different funding structures (with Deep South Today reliant on grants and donations), and ensuring a smooth operational integration. Nevertheless, both organizations are confident that the synergy will ultimately benefit the people of Acadiana, offering richer, more nuanced stories that illuminate the region’s complex social, economic, and environmental realities.

For More Information

Readers interested in learning more about Deep South Today can visit their mission page at deepsouthtoday.com/about. For those following The Current’s latest stories, the newsroom’s archives and digital portal are available at thedcurrent.com. Finally, community members eager to engage with the partnership’s initiatives are encouraged to sign up for newsletters and follow both outlets on social media.

In a media landscape that is increasingly fragmented, this partnership between The Current and Deep South Today exemplifies how local and regional journalism can evolve to meet contemporary demands—providing communities with trustworthy, in‑depth reporting that fuels civic dialogue, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship.