How useful is the internet for getting local news?

I'd say the internet is extremely useful for local news, mainly because it gives us real-time updates that traditional media can't match. For example, when that new Shanghai Eco-Park opened last month, I found out about the opening ceremony through a local news app while riding the metro to work. The article even had a map showing the best entrance to use, which saved me time when I visited that weekend. That said, you do need to be careful about verifying sources - sometimes neighborhood WeChat groups spread rumors that turn out to be completely false. But overall, the convenience outweighs those risks for me.