Read stories by other reporters. Be prepared, be alert, be persistent, be there, be wary. City manager, mayor. Commissions first, then council. Contact community groups.
Issues usually are development, police, expenditures, policy ordinances, zoning.
Stories are elections, approval or rejection of developments, votes on expenditures, votes on ordinances. Features on people affected by ordinances. Commission meetings, council meetings. Function of local government. Budget, salaries, raises, strikes.