Nationally, the country is politically polarized and culturally fragmented, with politics that reinforce divides and media that prioritize divergent perspectives. Locally, people share a lived community experience. As many newsrooms struggle to cover communities, many local voices go unheard. Social media, designed to connect us, has also divided us into insular groups hostile toward outside views. We aim to create new local spaces for constructive public conversation that help rebuild understanding and trust among people.