‘Read all about it’

Newspapers are done. That’s the story these days. And this message has been repeated year after year over the last two decades as more than 2,500 weekly publications in the United States either closed or merged with other papers as a way to survive.

Since 2004, the number of daily newspapers fell from more than 7,000 to about 5,000. Daily newspapers also declined in number and some dailies became weeklies as a way to survive. By some estimates, the country is set up to lose one-third of its newspapers by 2025.

The pandemic wasn’t the death knell that many expected, but just the same the number of newspapers that closed kept the same pace — about two per week.

This all means that about one in five Americans lives in what is called a news desert, a place where there is no authoritative source of news and information about the community, other than social media. There are issues with social media that include its “addictive by design” nature, as well as its role in spreading misinformation.

As a plus, it can be seen as promoting creativity and community health, even as experts weigh its effect on the mental health of young people and adults.

Today, it is estimated that one in five Americans lives in a so-called news desert, or in a place that is at risk of becoming one, where there is limited access to local news.

Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois, reports that the vast majority of the 360 newspapers that shut down since the end of 2019 were weeklies serving small communities. And in many places, the surviving papers made major cuts to staff and circulation. An estimated 75,000 journalists worked in newspapers in 2006, and now that is down to 31,000, according to Northwestern.

But everywhere you turn these days there are signs that readers want a local newspaper — that newspapers are not done, whether they exist in print or digital form.

It was big news last week for readers of more than 20 daily and weekly newspapers in Maine that the nonprofit National Trust for Local News would buy the papers, including the Portland Press Herald, as a way to preserve their independence along with staffing and readership. The mission of the National Trust for Local News is to create a future where local news thrives and people benefit from community-centered journalism.

The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News both have embarked on the nonprofit path with the goal to be nonpartisan and dedicated to public service. We aim to serve our community with news and information that matters to our readers. We also are sharing news with other nonprofits and like-minded organizations to give readers the fullest news report possible, week-to-week, and online when important news breaks. We have shared news with CTMirror.org, The New Pine Plains Herald, The Berkshire Eagle, Norfolk Now, and possibly more to come. On Sunday, August 13 we will host community nonprofits for a day of celebration and information sharing in Salisbury on Academy Street. Mark calendars.

Last fall, we became members of the Institute for Nonprofit News. Its vision is to build a nonprofit news network that ensures all people in every community have access to trusted news.  According to INN, nonprofit news is experiencing sustained, multi-year growth, and the sources of local coverage have increased over the past four years.

Our readers want more. We want to give them more. We are on the right path to do that.

Latest News

Back to school
Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.


Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton’s Demitasse shutters Main Street storefront, goes digital

Demitasse owner Hayden McIntosh Geer said she is excited by the shift to online sales.

Photo by Hayden McIntosh Geer

MILLERTON — Some might have argued that launching an in-person retail business during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t advisable. But against all odds, Demitasse in Millerton managed not only to build a thriving, mission-based brand in a small storefront on Main Street, it developed a loyal customer base and provided a welcoming space for visitors. Last week, Demitasse announced it is closing-up shop and moving fully online.

“We are excited,” said owner Hayden McIntosh Geer, who opened Demitasse with her husband, Richard, in 2020. “Though we will miss our customers and the camaraderie on Main Street, it feels right and there was no second guessing.”

Keep ReadingShow less
New Millerton police cruisers arrive to replace fire-ravaged vehicles

Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik shows off the new gear. Brand new police cruisers arrived last week.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton Police Department has received two new patrol cars to replace vehicles destroyed in the February 2025 fire at the Village Water and Highway Department.

The new Ford Interceptors are custom-built for law enforcement. “They’re more rugged than a Ford Explorer,” said Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik, noting the all-wheel drive, heavy-duty suspension and larger tires and engine. “They call it the ‘Police Package.’”

Keep ReadingShow less
Fashion Feeds on track to raise $100,000 for Food of Life Food Pantry

Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLBROOK – In a time when optimism and unity can feel elusive, sometimes a walk down Franklin Avenue is enough to feed the soul. With Millbrook Community Day just around the corner, one highlight will be Fashion Feeds, a community effort led by Millbrook native Erin Rollins, whose mission is to fight local hunger.

The concept is simple. People donate new or gently used designer fashion, which is sold at affordable prices, and all proceeds benefit The Food of Life/Comida de Vida Pantry at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia.

Keep ReadingShow less