YOUNGSTOWN — The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and the Youngstown Press Club will present an evening of information about the direction of local news and the variety of local outlets in the changing Mahoning Valley news landscape.

“Who’s Who in Local News” will feature a panel discussion, plus questions and answers 6 p.m. Oct. 7 in the meeting room of the Newport Library, 3730 Market St.

“We recognize that the residents of our community need to adapt to a new local news situation following the closure of the historic Vindicator,” said Aimee Fifarek, the library’s executive director, who will moderate the program.

Panel members are: Michael Moliterno, vice president of operations, The Business Journal; Mark Sweetwood, editor, Mahoning Matters; Mitch Davis, news director, WKBN TV; Sheila Miller, assistant news director and executive producer, WFMJ; and Brenda J. Linert, editor, Tribune Chronicle.

“We have seen in recent weeks that there will be expanded coverage by existing news providers, a new provider coming to Mahoning County from adjacent Trumbull County and a brand new digital media outlet. The original concern was that the area might become a news desert, but we now have a large number of local news options,” Fifarek said.

“This program is our way of bringing everyone together so they can see the local news environment and know their sources and methods for getting accurate information.”

The Tribune Chronicle is printing its Vindicator edition in Warren and circulating it daily in the Mahoning Valley.

Mary Beth Earnheardt, Youngstown Press Club executive director, said, “The landscape of local news is changing, and Youngstown is positioned to be a leader in that change. This work will be done by our media institutions. We’re thrilled to work with the library to facilitate interaction between news leaders and the public they serve.”

JoAnn Kolarik, Youngstown Press Club president, said, ” Our membership is a great compilation of news-related professionals with years of service to this community, and with the announcement of the Vindicator closing, we immediately became aware of the great concern of Valley residents about receiving news in the future. While several news sources have announced plans to step forward and help fill the gap that closing has created, we still feel it is important to continue the discussion and to give an outlet to the community for voicing their news concerns.”

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