By CHRIS COLLINS
undated) — State officials say they want to discuss ways to improve local journalism in underserved communities. A recently-passed economic development bill included a measure to establish a state commission to look at ways to improve the business operations at news organizations, many of which have been forced to cut back staff in order to remain financially solvent. A good number of those cuts have occurred at smaller news outlets in rural areas, creating “news deserts” in those communities.