I don't follow much local news this days, can you share an example? I grew up reading the NYTimes online and thought that the discussion section offered great

I don't follow much local news this days, can you share an example? I grew up reading the NYTimes online and thought that the discussion section offered great debate. I think it might have become a case of it is too expensive to moderate? Do people just post ads and spam? Because in my mind, active discussion is always good