Facebook expands local news feature

Facebook (FB -1.7%) is ramping up its local focus, expanding a new section called “Today In” that’s specialized for more than 400 U.S. cities.

Tests of the feature began earlier this year as surveys indicated people wanting to see more content, including that typically understood as “local news” as well as community information for planning, including such things are road closures and bus schedules.

Now it’s testing the feature in “news deserts” with low supply of that information.

It’s also running a test with more than 100 local government and first responder Pages to help them get important information out.

Facebook also launched its first international test of “Today In,” in Australia.