A letter from the publisher: About your subscription

Dear valued reader, 

We hope this letter finds you well—and well-read. As you may know, over the past decade the news industry has faced several challenges and changes, including declining revenues and increasing production costs. Inflation, the cost of paper, postage and fuel for transportation has driven prices up on almost everything from groceries to restaurant meals to everyday items we use around the house. 

Your passion for the work we do was so evident in December as you generously supported us with $30,000 in voluntary donations.  We were humbled and remain forever grateful. 

But the numbers tell us we also have to be practical. 

For the past four years, your CCM subscription rate has remained the same and we’ve done our best to cover the cost of minor increases in production. But since last year, the cost of newsprint and ink – outside of payroll, our biggest expense – has increased by 40% over last year. And you’re already familiar with the skyrocking cost of fuel. 

Bringing quality local news to your door takes a staff of 45 full-time and part-time employees, including 22 educated and trained journalists dedicated to keeping your city councils and school boards accountable, informing you about new businesses and groups that make your community a great place to live. 

While it is not in our nature to make essential news less affordable, we’ve come to the point where we must raise our subscription prices. 

So, effective March 1, the price of a subscription to any of our paid publications and for our all-access digital will be $85 per year and $65 per year for readers over 65 years of age. Those prices take effect with your next renewal. 

That’s less than $2 per week to find local news that matters in your community—news you won’t find in any other publication. 

Local news is a public good. While this was a tough decision, and one we don’t take lightly, my hope is that increasing our subscription prices means we’ll be able to do more for you in 2023. We’ll work our hardest to ensure that we continue to be a value to you. 

With gratitude, 

Linda Shapley
Publisher