This talk advocates for practical ways to bridge divides and build common ground in a heavily polarized political climate. Elected as one of the youngest national delegates to the Democratic National Convention, Gavin is no stranger to work in politics and government as a high school. He has worked on promoting civic engagement opportunities under the Association of Washington Student Leaders as well as serving as a state representative for the inaugural National Student Council. Despite how polarizing poli ...

Community & Civic Engagement - Local newspapers play a crucial role in defining community culture and introducing residents to their neighbors [13] - Reading local news is associated with increased trust in neighbors, fostering social capital and community connection [7][16] - Social capital is built through various community engagements, including reading newspapers, volunteering, and joining clubs [16][17] - Civic engagement can be measured by activities such as signing petitions, writing to representatives, attending public meetings, and expressing opinions [20][21][22] Media & Trust - People generally distinguish between local newspapers and other media, with higher trust in local news [18] - A Pew Research Center study indicated that 70% of people trust their local media to report news accurately [18] - Two-thirds of individuals who feel strongly connected to their communities consider local news very or extremely important [18] - 87% of newspaper readers feel a responsibility to shape the future of their communities [19] Challenges & Opportunities - Since 2000, local newspapers have lost half of their reporting and editing jobs, reducing opportunities for community engagement and local storytelling [19][20] - Newspapers are actively working to improve inclusivity and diversity, aiming to provide a more accurate reflection of society [25] - Engaging with local papers, especially for underrepresented individuals, can contribute to a more accurate and representative record of the community [26] - Younger generations increasingly rely on online platforms like Snapchat and TikTok for news, which can make it difficult to discern truth [28]