Terms & Conditions

About the Lantern

Local Lantern is an independent local news outlet covering Alabama, operated by Ladiga Studios LLC. By using our website or contacting our tip line, you agree to these terms.

Accounts and eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account on Local Lantern. By creating one, you confirm that you are 18 or older and that the information you give us is accurate. You are responsible for keeping your password to yourself and for what happens under your account. We may suspend or remove an account that is used to spam, impersonate someone, or claim a business that isn’t theirs. You can delete your account at any time from your account settings.

The tip line & text messaging program

Local Lantern Tip Line lets you send news tips, event information, and photos to our newsroom by text message (SMS/MMS) at the number published on this site. You opt in by texting us first; we send messages only in reply to yours: confirmations that your message arrived and follow-up questions about what you sent. Message frequency varies based on the conversation. Message and data rates may apply.

Reply STOP at any time to opt out of text messages. Reply HELP for help, or contact nate@locallantern.com. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

What you send us

When you send the Lantern a tip, photo, or other material, you're telling us it's yours to share and that it's truthful to the best of your knowledge. You give us permission to review it and, where appropriate, publish it as part of our reporting. Nothing is published without review by a human, and requests for anonymity are honored. Don't send us anything unlawful, hateful, or that invades someone's privacy.

Our content

The writing, photos, and design of Local Lantern are ours (or used with permission). You're welcome to share links to our pages; please don't republish our work wholesale without asking. Business information is provided in good faith and may change, so call ahead.

The lawyerly bits

The site and tip line are provided as-is, without warranties. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Ladiga Studios LLC is not liable for indirect or consequential damages arising from use of the site or messaging program. These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Alabama. If we update these terms, the new version will be posted here. Questions? Email nate@locallantern.com.

See also our Privacy Policy.