Online Journalism Review’s David Chase argues hyperlocal news sites can benefit from national or international events taking place inside your community.

“Hyperlocal sites, by definition, are focused on their local community.
However, periodically something happens in your community that has
national significance that can draw some broader attention. More
important is how it can accelerate your reach within your community by
exposing your site to a new set of local people. This latter form of
traffic is the most sustainable.”