It's because they don't appeal to them. A. Local news is providing the most comprehensive set of stories and information about what is happening in your metro area, day in and day out. Of course, that means covering what's going on in governmental areas, police courts, etc. The newspaper also should be the single source of entertainment news, what to do, how to have fun, how to be an interesting person. It should be the place where business people can find out what is cooking in the business community.
Sports has to be strong, to put events into a national perspective.
Each section is slightly different. The hardest thing of all is to provide a personality to the newspaper that is reflective of the community. I had in my brain this picture of the marquee with lights on it. The lights would be the local columnists, the people and parts of the paper that are distinctive. And that it is written in a tone and a voice that feels familiar to the community.