Keeping up with local news is important if you really want to feel like a part of the community around you. However, you might not know what the best ways are for keeping up with local news if you're new in town.

Nowadays, there tends to be a focus on national and international news to the detriment of local news outlets. Yet there are still quite a few things you can do to keep up with local news.

The following are six ways to keep up with local news. 

Use the internet

The internet is a great source of any kind of information. You can go online to get local news from local news channels. Many of these channels might stream popular news stories on their websites.

Print publications in your area are also likely to post all of their articles on their websites. However, you might need to buy a subscription for online access.

Listen to a local radio station

Tune in to your local radio channels if you want to keep up with what's going on. While radio is starting to feel a bit old-fashioned these days, radio stations remain one of the best sources of local news. 

Subscribe to a community newspaper

If you live in a decently sized town, there is probably a local newspaper you can subscribe to for news. In fact, a small-town newspaper is one of the best sources of local news out there. However, many community papers only publish once a week rather than every day. 

Attend events in your community

If you want to follow local news, why not experience it firsthand by getting out to attend important events in your community? There are plenty of newsworthy events that you can attend as a spectator or even a participant. 

Some key community events that could be worthwhile to attend include parades, speeches, protests, and festivals. Not only can attending such events be informative, but it can also be entertaining. 

Get out and socialize

Your colleagues and neighbors might be one of the best sources of local news. By getting out and socializing, you can stay more connected with your community and know what people are talking about. 

Use social media

Social media is undeniably a great tool for spreading information about local news and events. You can follow local politicians and news outlets on social media sites so that you receive frequent updates on all the latest news.

For more information, contact a local news source in your area, such as the Gazette-Mail.