You can now get local news via your mobile phone through Topix.net. Simply enter Topix.net/ZIP, where ZIP is your zip code. For instance,
http://topix.net/10025
If you access this URL from a cell phone you will get a compressed page of headlines and news with good-sized summaries and clickable links to the full story.
Of course, there is also a hidden short-cut to display the mobile version with *any* browser. Simply add &lw=1 behind the resulting URL, for instance,
http://www.topix.net/city/manhattan-ny?lw=1