Layoffs happen – and in newspaperland, it was inevitable. The cost of printing, trucking, office rent and staff far, far exceeds dwindling advertising revenue. These days, federal funding is keeping newsprint alive, but the Local Journalism Initiative only pays a small, temporary wage to writers and does nothing for the operational reality of running a print production.

Without properly compensated journalists, newspapers become vessels for attention-seeking. They’ve been taken over by corporate interests and on the local level, volunteers with money but no journalism background.

Since 2020, The Phoenix has asked Peachlanders to try something different. Paying for local news you won’t read elsewhere. More details and context, from the perspective of a resident.

This work takes time – and over the past year, I’ve narrowed down where I spend my energy, and that’s on the subscribers who read my work: Features that dig in a little more. And that constant council presence, so when it comes time to vote, you’re extra-informed.

Anyway. I just want to say that if you’re a paid subscriber, I really appreciate you. I’m not cranking out multiple headlines a day and I’m more selective of the community events I cover. I’m not here to boost pet projects and give you stuff you can easily read for free.

I’m here for journalism. The profession is kind of dying, and so for those of you who take the time to log in, who ask for that free month to try it out – Thank you. You’re keeping it alive, here in Peachland.

–Kristen