How does a simple local story end up getting national media coverage?

[Fred]

[kenoplayer]

It would have to be either something of a miraculous nature, or a human nature story that everyone can relate to.

[jamie]

Journalists. They scour the country looking for fresh news. That's why there is the odd "Man gets punched by a fish" in pretty much every newspaper.

[dbaldu]

Most newspapers in the United States belong to the Associated Press, which means the AP is entitled to use the stories and photos produced by the local paper. That's one way. Radio and TV news departments have similar affiliations with networks such as CBS and CNN. That's the other significant route. Social media also plays a big role. Even without involvement of the local news operations, local events can come to the attention of national outlets.

Your question implies that the national media are devoting attention to stories unworthy of wider attention. That's a judgment call. National outlets will pick up everything from disasters to cute stories with human interest. There's nothing wrong with that.