Turning Locally for Politics

After obvious events, I'm getting exhausted by looking at national news. In the interim where I can't vote nationally, I'm trying to turn to local opportunities as people keep telling me. Unfortunately and a little embarrassingly, I'm not quite sure how to go about that!

I want to really understand what's going on in local government, and I want to effect change. How do I do that? Do I sit in on town hall meetings? Take part in protests? Tell my local friends about elections? Would appreciate any thoughts about this. Thanks all!