As I approach my one-year anniversary as Publisher of the Maine Trust for Local News, I’ve been reflecting on the transitions of the past 11 months, and on the path that led me here. I’ve spent more than a decade as part of this organization — supporting our newsrooms, listening to our readers and seeing firsthand how deeply local journalism shapes life in Maine.

Sitting in this role now, after a year of transition for both our nonprofit ownership and our news organization, I feel immense pride in what we’ve weathered and what we’re building. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been purposeful and deeply meaningful.

As the Thanksgiving season arrives, gratitude has been on my mind. And I want to begin with you — our readers, subscribers, advertisers, donors and supporters.

Your trust in us, especially during a time of change, has mattered more than you know. Every subscription, every ad, every donation, every moment you choose to read, share or engage with our work is a vote of confidence in local journalism. You remind us that what we do is essential, and that the communities we serve are counting on us to get it right.

I am also grateful for the more than 300 employees I work alongside. This year especially, I’ve watched them step into uncertainty with courage, flexibility and heart. Our reporters and editors continue to produce work that is thoughtful, ambitious and rooted in the communities they call home. Our photographers capture moments that reveal the soul of this state. And our digital, advertising, customer service and production teams form the backbone that keeps everything moving. 

Over this past year, I’ve watched our organization find its footing in a new and hopeful way. The financial challenges we’ve faced have brought clarity, a renewed sense of purpose and an unmistakable momentum building across our teams. Supporting the Maine Trust for Local News — through a subscription, an ad buy or a donation — is choosing to be part of something forward-looking, something that is making a meaningful difference in communities across Maine. 

One tradition that has always inspired me is our annual “Mainers to Be Thankful For” feature. Every year, it shines a spotlight on the people who make this state what it is: generous, tough and endlessly community-minded.

This year, those stories feel especially poignant. Amid transition, uncertainty and the complexities of the world around us, these Maine educators remind us what quiet leadership looks like. They show up without being asked, solve problems without seeking credit and strengthen their communities simply because it’s the right thing to do.

They remind me why preserving local journalism matters — because without it, so many inspiring people and acts of kindness would go unseen. I’m excited for you to meet this year’s honorees, and I think you’ll find the same hope and affirmation in their stories that I did.

As we look ahead to winter and a new year, our mission at the Maine Trust for Local News remains clear: to keep trusted journalism rooted in our communities and to build a sustainable future for the work that informs and connects Maine.

If you’d like to support that mission, here are a few meaningful ways:

Stay engaged. Read, subscribe, share stories, attend events and tell us what matters most to you. Email our executive editor with your story ideas at [email protected].

Give a gift subscription this holiday season.  It’s a thoughtful way to bring local news into someone’s life — and it helps sustain our reporting.

Gift subscriptions are 70% off through Monday

Here’s how to get one:
Press Herald
Central Maine
Sun Journal

Become a Maine Trust Supporter.  Our new membership program includes some special benefits. 

Support the Maine Trust for Local News directly.  Your contributions and marketing dollars help us invest in the tools, reporting and people who make our journalism possible.

Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient model for local news in Maine — one rooted in public service, community and truth.

Thank you for being with us through a year of transition and growth. Thank you for your trust, your patience and your belief in this mission. I’m grateful for the chance to serve in this role, grateful for the extraordinary people I work with and grateful for the communities who count on us every day.

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and inspired holiday season.