“There’s a big misperception out there that there’s a big hole in local journalism, and I think that narrative’s been created by people who aren’t sitting in local markets.”
This week, those of us sitting in our local markets learned that 19 of Gannett’s Massachusetts community newspapers – including the Newton Tab, Needham Times and Watertown Tab & Press -- would cease publishing their print editions. Of the papers served by our chamber, only the Wellesley Townsman will continue.
It would be one thing if Reed was simply shutting down his printing presses and reinvesting the savings into more online local journalism.
ļ»æHe isn't.
Instead, Gannett's few remaining weekly journalists are being removedfrom their local beats and will begin filling the company’s Wicked Local news sites with regional news.
So what do we do now?
Leaving local coverage to Facebook groups and list serves and even this newsletter is unacceptable.
Fortunately, there are other options.
Many communities, including Wellesley and Watertown, have the good fortune of having independently-owned and run online news sites -- although they'd both be the first to admit they're under resourced.
Better yet, our communities would be well served by following the lead of communities across the state and the country that have created not-for-profit newsroomsthat follow the public broadcasting model; with funding from local donations, underwriting and grants.
“I just hope that as Gannett continues to shrink, more and more people will think about this and say, ‘We could do this in our town,’” media watchdog and journalism professor Dan Kennedy told Boston.com yesterday.
“You don’t necessarily need to have gone to journalism school, … I think all you need is the right frame of mind and the dedication and, of course, the time.”
Kennedy has crowd sourced a list of more than 200 independent hyperlocal news sites across the state. Some follow this nonprofit model. Others depend on ads and/or volunteers. All require a whole lot of passion and a belief that not having local news coverage is acceptable.
We need more efforts along these lines locally.
One last thing about this
I received this email from yesterday…
"I really appreciate all the articles in your newsletters. I do get frustrated when I can't read an article you've referenced in the Globe, because I don't have a subscription. You are probably already aware of this glitch."
This is not a glitch. It's intentional. I want readers to hit paywalls and feel motivated to subscribe,
A free press isn’t free. And not paying for the news we value is how we got in the mess we're in we are today. It's essential that we all support our local, regional and national newsrooms to the best of our ability.
Newton residents leading the nation’s COVID response
Newton resident, Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health and past director of Harvard’s Global Health Institute, is the Biden administration’s new COVID coordinator.
He joins another Newton resident, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who took over as director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year.
And there's Dr. Atul Gawande, also from the Garden City, who served as a member of the Biden transition COVID-19 Advisory Board and was recently sworn in as Assistant Administrator for Global Health.
Rockland Trust's 5th annualSmall Business Big Dreamscontest provides small businesses a chance to win $20,000 to help their business grow. Deadline is April 1.
Massachusetts COVID-19 Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave program ended Tuesday (March 15) which means employers are no longer required to offer COVID sick pay, can use their earned sick pay. Employers now have until April 29 to apply for reimbursement of paid leave taken between May 28, 2021 and March 15, 2022 (up to 40 hours per employee, with a maximum of $850 per employee, including benefits). Details
With the Needham Town Common scheduled to be closed this year for extensive renovations the town is working to bring back the popular outdoor dining tent to Greene’s Field. Picnic tables will be available once again on the Needham Heights Common and Eaton Square Plaza. Get out there and eat!
Rose Saia, who led the Centre Street Food Pantry in Newton throughout the pandemic, has been appointed as the organization’s executive director, the Globe’s reports. CSFP now serves approximately 1,000 families per month and continues to register dozens of new families every week. The pantry is also a regular distribution point for the chamber’s Nourishing Newton program in partnership with Newton Rotary.
Dedham Savings offers cannabis banking services
Dedham Savings is now in marijuana banking businesses, offering deposit accounts and cash management services to licensed cannabis-related businesses, Greg Ryan at the BBJ reports.
Nearly a decade after Massachusetts voters legalized medical marijuana and more than five years after they approved recreational sales, only a handful of banks service this sector.
Century Bank was long the leader in the space until it was acquired by Eastern Bank last year. Eastern has since transitioned Century’s marijuana banking business to Needham Bank.
Mass Pike/I-95 intersection to get new bridge work
Eight bridges at Mass Pike/I-95 interchange on the Newton and Weston line will be replace and/or rehabilitated, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller announced.
MassDOT says the bridges and interchange are now safe, but their conditions are deteriorating. The $230 million project will take upwards of six years to complete and also will include installation of sound barriers along portions of the Mass Pike and I-95 in Auburndale
An invitation to Watertown restaurants
The chamber has received funding to support independent Watertown restaurants while providing food assistance to local residents in need.
We’ll be ordering individually packaged meals from restaurant partners to distribute to local food pantries, senior and family programs or other persons in need. Compete this form if interested. Email Katherine Herer with questions.
And if you’d like to help our restaurants and those in need
If you would like to financially support extending our food and restaurant assistance program in any of our four chamber communities go here. 100% of your contribution will go to local restaurants to feed residents facing food insecurity but are not tax deductible.
You don't have to be Irish to attend tomorrow's St. Paddy's political roast
Finally, a reminder about the annual St Paddy’s Day Newton Political Breakfast happening -- after a two-year COVID absence -- tomorrow (Saturday) at 11 a.m. at Dunn-Gaherin’s Food & Spirits.
The locally themed roast will feature monologues, music and shenanigans from Congressman Jake Auchincloss, state Sen. Cindy Creem and various city councilors plus candidates for attorney general, lieutenant governor and auditor.
After all we’ve been through these past two years, we could all use some quality laughs.
