On my second or third day on the job for the Journal & Courier, a longtime reader emailed me.
"Welcome," he said. And he's been emailing me almost every other week since I arrived three months ago.
I love that.
Connecting with a community is paramount to a journalist's work. I thrive on it.
In fact, as I told West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis earlier this year, had we not been in the midst of a pandemic when I became executive editor in November 2020, he would have already grown tired of me just popping in with bagels and coffee.
Maybe I would have dropped in on you. I've already shared a cup –at a safe distance –withRaquel Lopez, producing artistic director at the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette.
And what would we talk about? I'd want to know what you love about your community. Why are you still here? What keeps young professionals from looking elsewhere?
What stories would you like me to tell? So many of you have already sent me great story ideas I jumped at the chance to tell.
Our newsroomrepresents decades and decades of experience. We provide comprehensive coverage on breaking news, local government, high school sports, Purdue athletics,health, restaurants and other businesses.
Journal & Courier Staff:Meet the people who help bring these stories to light
Reporters Mike Carmin, Emily DeLetter, Sam King and Ron Wilkins work hard to tell the most important and interesting stories in this community – stories you save for your scrapbook and tales too compelling to forget.
Through his outstanding images, visual journalist Nikos Frazier puts you right there, at the story, in the arena, on the frontlines. In a day's work, he could give you the snapshot of a buzzer beater and a life-saving vaccine.
You may not know the names and faces of Journal & Courier staff members, but you do know us, in a sense. Welive in your community, enjoy the same trails, shovel after the same snowstorms, shop at thesame businesses and cheer on the same list of teams.
Our work is worth your investment
We answer the questions you wish you could ask –sometimes after you've emailed us and chided, "Why haven't you asked that?" I've gotten those emails, thank you very much.
We shed light on what would otherwise go unseen –the plight of the less fortunate, the struggles of everyday Hoosiers and the tactics of politicians who, some, not all,would rather we not keep them in check.
Local journalism takes time and effort. This work, often crafted over days and weeks, is worthy of paying customers.
We see the criticism when we mark stories "Subscriber-only" or when someone has clicked on their limit of stories. Why can't I read this?
Why doesn't the store give away all its milk?
Honestly, we used to give away the store. We provided content for free. But then something happened –a wealth of opportunities moved from newspapers to social media. Garage sales were posted on Facebook. Unwanted baby items were sold on eBay.
Our business model changed, and we began requiring a subscription for unlimited readership. And we met you halfway.
If we mark something as premium content, we feel it's worthy. We've spent time and expertise to present that story to you.
The Journal & Courierhas made certain stories, not all, for subscribers only.
Readers can still read a fewarticles a month for free before requiring a subscription for access –especially for breaking news, and routine coverage of local government and schools.
There are stories, though, worthy of your subscription, an investment in up to date with what's happening inyour community.
Your support through a digital subscription helps ensure that we can continue to be a voice for the voiceless, champion valuable causes in our community and keep your politicians in transparency.
Journal & Courier's news, stories impacting your neighborhood:
- For Subscribers:Trustee Teising abruptly cancels meeting, then demands a meeting or she'll fire staff
- 'Like it happened yesterday': Family reflects on Delphi murders at four-year anniversary
- Local prep sports:6 things about the IHSAA boys basketball sectional draw
Many of our readers find that a digital subscription is more affordable than a print subscription. The digital plancomes with our e-edition, so you can "flip through" the pages and see stories as they appear in print.
You have unlimited access to our local content, as well as stories of statewide interest from sister papers in Indiana.
Our special offer for new subscribers
If you're already a digital subscriber, nothing changes. Enjoy unlimited digital access. You may have already notice more stories marked "for subscribers," meaning they are only accessible to readers with a subscription.
Here's our currentspecial offer for new subscribers: $1 per monthfor the the first six months, then $7.99 afterward.
If you're a print subscriber, whether Sunday only or seven days, you already have unlimited digital access.
A dollar a month for the first six months. Then under $8 a month after that.
I've spent more than that on coffee this week. Maybe I can buy you a cup.
Deanna Watson is the executive editor of the Journal & Courier. She can be reached at dwatson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter, @deannawatson66.
