Sarah Nigbor

I know I’m a week behind, but last week was National Newspaper Week, a week-long promotion of the newspaper industry in the United States and Canada.

I could go into statistics about how many newspapers have closed in the past decade, or how the number of journalists is dwindling by the day. I’m not going to do that. It’s depressing. I’m going to tell you why newspapers matter. Why they should matter to YOU, no matter your age.

The 2026 theme for National Newspaper Week is “Rooted in Community, Committed to Truth.” Reporter Andrew Harrington and I are rooted in the communities were serve. We do our darndest each week to cover as much local news as we can in our six school districts, two cities, six villages and 17 townships. There aren’t enough hours in the day, but we try our best.

We are both from Pierce County. We have families here. We have deep roots. We’re dedicated to reporting information as accurately and fairly as possible because, guess what, we have to show our faces in this county every day. Telling the truth matters to us. We’re not hiding behind a keyboard or screen. We’re out in YOUR communities every day, covering local government meetings, sporting events, festivals, parades, crime, elections. We are accessible to our readers and hold ourselves to a high standard.

We celebrate and connect our communities. We don’t just report on the crazy crimes and accidents – we cover the state championship team or the athlete who has worked hard all four years but never played varsity. We honor veterans and their service to our country. We publish obituaries of residents, providing a roadmap for historians and genealogists. We record the everyday moments that become a community’s history.

Sure, people record their everyday moments on social media too. It’s a fun way to connect with others. But is someone decades from now going to research a school’s Facebook page for information on a family member, looking for a post that will most likely be long gone? Or will they rely on the recorders of history – the local newspaper. Our archives aren’t just available in print – they’re online too.

Strong journalism doesn’t happen by accident. A newspaper is a small business that needs to be supported, just like your favorite local gift shop or restaurant. Subscriptions, advertising and community support help keep reporters covering the people, institutions and decisions that matter.

People who read our stories online sometimes get upset that we have a paywall after a certain number of articles is reached. I ask you, would you complain at the local tavern if they refused to give you all your beer for free? Do you ask the grocery store to give you free steak? Do you expect your local eatery to provide all your meals free of charge? I doubt it. So why do people expect quality news coverage, which takes hours of dedication, writing and hard work, for free? We also have to make a living and have families and overhead costs to support.

Our purpose as journalists is to keep people informed with facts, to preserve the public record and to protect your right to know.

The platforms in which news is delivered are evolving. We’re lucky to still be able to offer a print publication along with our e-edition. Technology will change. The need for trusted local journalism won’t. And that takes real people who care about the communities in which we live.

When you support local businesses, remember to include your local newspaper too by subscribing, purchasing advertising or submitting local news. Our survival depends on it.