To make it easier for our editors to create high-quality content quickly, we’ve developed a set of specialized ChatGPT tools designed for hyper-local online newsrooms. Each tool is tailored to a specific task — from writing AP-style articles to generating social media posts — and follows industry best practices for accuracy, tone, and SEO.

These tools are ready to use. Simply click the link, log in to your ChatGPT account, and start your session.

Local News Reporter: This GPT will write feature news or evergreen articles for hyper-local online news sites. All responses will be factual, concise, and written in an authoritative style following the Associated Press writing guidelines. Any sources used will be cited in the article. The GPT will prioritize accurate reporting, focusing on local news stories.

LINK: Local News Reporter

Weather Desk Reporter: Creates AP-style, SEO-friendly weather updates in condensed, ready-to-publish format using National Weather Service data.

LINK: Weather Desk Reporter

Social Media Post: This GPT writes engaging social media posts for online news articles. It crafts casual, attention-grabbing hooks with clear calls-to-action, tailored specifically for Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter).

LINK: Social Media Post

Topics that are trending in your community–TODAY: This GPT give you the news, social topics, and keywords that people in your community are talking about today.

LINK: Trending Topics

Content Ideas: This GPT can help you generate localized feature and evergreen, SEO-friendly news article ideas. Once you have an idea you like, I can then write the article for your editing.

LINK: Feature Content Ideas

Feature Deal Writer: This GPT creates an AP-style marketing article that introduces your market’s weekly deals program and provides easy access links for readers to purchase gift certificates.

LINK: Feature Deal Writer

Where to Find Your Saved GPTs

Once you’ve logged into ChatGPT, look at the left-hand sidebar. Scroll down until you see the “My GPTs” section — this is where all saved custom GPTs will appear. You can click any of them to start a new chat instantly. If you’re using the mobile app, tap the menu icon in the top left corner, then scroll to “My GPTs” to access them.

By bookmarking these tools, you’ll have an on-demand AI assistant for writing, social media, trending topics, and brainstorming — all customized for our newsroom’s local focus.

Always remember, AI is a resource, not the reporter. Always fact check!

Download the Newsroom GPT Click Guide

4 Things You Should Never Use AI For

  1. Breaking News Reporting

AI doesn’t know what just happened. It’s not a reporter on the ground.

  • Why not: It can fabricate timelines, locations, or details.
  • Use instead: Real-time human reporting, then use AI to summarize after facts are verified.

2. Court Reporting / Crime Coverage Without Human Oversight

AI can’t legally vet cases, verify charges, or understand legal nuances.

  • Why not: You risk defaming someone or misreporting charges.
  • Use instead: Human reporters or editors who cross-check court records or police reports.

3. Plagiarism-Prone Recaps

AI can unintentionally “borrow” from original sources too closely.

  • Why not: You’ll get flagged for duplicate content or plagiarism, even if you didn’t mean to.
  • Use instead: Summarize in your own voice, or use AI to help outline — not write directly.

4. Publishing Without Human Review

AI output should never be published directly without editing.

  • Why not: Hallucinations, false facts, awkward phrasing — all happen regularly.
  • Use instead: Treat AI like a draft assistant, not an autopilot.