The Value of Local Journalism
Thank you for your support!
Hello Roseville Readers!
I am so glad you’ve found this publication. The last few months have been a whirlwind and I want to share an update from the editorial desk.
I started this newsletter at the end of September because there was no other publication covering our local Roseville elections. I quickly discovered that not only am I enjoying doing this, but people in Roseville want access to the kind of journalism I’m providing. The enthusiasm has been very encouraging. Thank you to those of you who pledged paid subscriptions and left testimonials sharing why you value the Roseville Reader. Here are a few of your notes:
"You are offering a critically important layer of information that Roseville residents need—both to understand what's happening in our community and to be good citizens. Thanks for picking up the mantle after the Lillie newspapers folded. Every community needs a source of local news, and you are an important one—well worth financial support."—Warren W.
"Your reporting is clear, thorough, and without bias. Thank you for starting the Roseville Reader!" —Steve F.
"I sorely miss having a local paper that delves into community issues rather than simply praises. Citizens deserve solid, accurate and worthwhile reporting. Our city newspaper and even the local schools newsletter offer praise for their own efforts but clearly not insightful reporting of issues and practices."—Diane H.
"In today’s political climate it is very important that citizens pay attention to what is also happening at the local level. There used be a national publication that had the motto “Democracy dies in the dark”."—Mary G.
“It’s literally insane something like this doesn’t exist and you are exemplifying the idea that if there’s a need for something, you could step up and fill it.”—John N.
Community newspapers are struggling and dying out across the country, but there’s another story unfolding in their wake. Hyperlocal digital publications are springing up everywhere, founded by residents of the communities they serve. There is an entire ecosystem of professional resources, organizations, and networks for local news entrepreneurs. Now journalists and passionate community members are standing in the gap, to forge a new path for providing local news. Local news for the people, by the people.
So here’s what I’ve been up to lately:
Registered a company called Bright Pages LLC, owned and operated by me, Naomi Krueger, a Roseville resident and journalist. The Roseville Reader is its flagship publication.
Immersed myself in resources about launching a local news publication
Began connecting with community leaders and community groups in Roseville
Collaborated behind the scenes with some folks interested in helping me with this newsletter
Watched or attended city council and school board meetings
Wrote and published over 36 articles since the end of September
There is currently no outside funding for this enterprise and the Roseville Reader is operating on a shoestring. Now that I have the business side of things set-up, I have turned on paid subscriptions. The revenue from subscriptions will support some of the costs of operating this publication and compensate me for my time. I’d also like to pay additional contributors which could help expand the Roseville Reader’s coverage.
If you want to donate further to support my start-up costs or want to pay for a subscription another way, send me an email to therosevillereader@gmail.com and I’ll let you know how you can do that. All of your contributions will support the reporting, tech, and operating expenses of running this publication. This is not a 501c3 nonprofit, but if a tax deductible donation is important to you, please let me know.
This isn’t a full-fledged, traditional newspaper. I can’t cover everything that is worth knowing about and I won’t be as quick as larger news organizations to cover major news. I’ll continue to do my best to shed light on things that are going on in city government, school board, and community life. A healthy news ecosystem relies on several layers of journalism, from the hyperlocal to the regional to the national. I’ll stay in my lane and point to other news sources when appropriate.
As a start-up, I can be nimble and responsive to my audience, so I’ll be constantly evaluating and pivoting as needed. I will keep publishing the Roseville Reader as long as it is sustainable for me and supported by readers. Could you help me out by filling out this brief survey? It’s a new survey, specifically designed to help inform some of my next steps and the content I provide:
I also want to be transparent about who I am. I am not an unbiased robot—I care deeply about democracy, the importance of local journalism, and this community. As a resident of Roseville and a parent of kids in Roseville Area Schools, I have a stake in the future of our city. As a journalist, I’ll do my best to provide fair, fact-based, and solutions-oriented journalism you can trust. I am committed to journalistic ethics and a high standard of excellence.
Besides helping fund this venture, you can join me in spreading the word to more people in Roseville. Could you do me a favor and share a link to the Roseville Reader with some friends?
So what’s next? I have more story ideas than I have time to write them, but I am slow-cooking a few stories for February including an in depth look at how Roseville is meeting the needs of unhoused people, a staffing increase proposal from the Roseville Fire Department, and another profile on a city councilmember. I’ll also be ready to report on the House 40B special election when a new date is set and other local news as it develops.
Thanks for your support of independent, local journalism and the Roseville Reader. I’m grateful to be part of this community with you.
Naomi Krueger
P.S. Meet Yeti the News Dog. He’s my sidekick in sniffing out new stories.
Thanks, Naomi. I have enjoyed your reporting about issues in Roseville. I pick up some news about the City Council from other sources and watching some of the meetings, but you're my primary source about the school system and lots of other arenas. Thanks again. This is valuable. -- warren