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April 30, 2026
Hello Reader!
For a few days after we upload the new set of stories and mail out our magazine, there is a little time to relax. I took my dog out for a long walk last week before the trees had budded out and took the picture above of a stately and complex matron of trees in my neighborhood.
When I get to take that long walk again this week, I expect to see not only buds but some truly sprouting greenery from that same tree. It doesn't take much — sunshine, hydration, time — to make a visible difference in the landscape.
I cannot take that walk yet because it is Local News Giving Day, and I need to do the part of the media cycle I dislike the most: asking for support. I know how vital it is to do what we do. As you have heard from me and other media outlets for a long time, we cannot do this work any longer without reader support. Advertising and underwriting doesn't cover the cost of staff, supplies, business loan, design and interview tools, or even the cost of sending out this newsletter (which has increased by $100/month). It generally gives us month-to-month budget for story development. distribution, and website hosting.
This week I was asked what we could do if we had an additional $10,000 for the next month of coverage. I easily rattled off 10 story ideas we cannot do because I cannot pay to hire writers for a new set of assignments. Our grant funds have been spent on producing roughly 90 stories this year about ICE, domestic violence, data centers, housing, and more.
So... I am here ... asking if you are able to give an extra level of support today.
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