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Lost to history is the very first issue of The Northeast News, first published in 1932 by founder Matthew Orr. At that time, there were dozens of newspapers covering what was happening in and around Kansas City. No doubt, the early days of our community paper published small notices regarding marriages, new babies, obituaries, church picnics and school plays.

Over the years, through a slew of editors, publishers and owners, this publication has ebbed and flowed. However, advertising has remained key to producing a print product free to Northeast community residents. In the midst of the digital surge, Northeast News staff has maintained that community news, either through the internet or on the printed page, should be free and accessible to all. 

But that doesn’t mean there’s a pot of gold on the other side of the printing press. Even news distributed free has its costs — printing, staff, delivery — and the amount of news doesn’t always match the amount generated through advertising. Hence fewer ads means less news, less staff and less copies delivered.

Throughout this continual efflux and influx, Northeast News readers have noticed a change in production. Fewer articles — and the loss of old favorites including the Historic Postcard and Remember This? segments — as we try to provide a balance of news and coverage of local events which are not always offered from other news outlets. 

The transition to a nonprofit community publication hasn’t been as easy as we hoped, however, there is a solution — and it’s you, the reader. If there was a story you enjoyed, offer financial support. If your kid was pictured on the front page, donate. If you won tickets for a Monarchs game or Renaissance Festival, give back. Anything and everything is appreciated. If every reader donated one dollar for each copy we print each week, that would well outweigh the weekly printing costs  

This holiday season, support community journalism. In a time where free press is rare and far between and community newspapers continue to shut down across the country due to funding strifes, donations help as a stitch — repairing and supporting your publication when it’s in dire need. 

This is your newspaper. These are your stories. The content is written for you, for your neighbors to ensure you receive accurate, truthful information about this Northeast community as quickly as possible. 

This publication, which has withstood 92 years operating on its continued mission of serving as an accurate, trustworthy source of community news, hopes to continue this mission for the Northeast community today and for many years to come.  

Community news goes beyond the staff that writes the stories about this community. It’s also this community supporting the news they receive, either by making a donation or supporting the advertisers, which support this free paper. 

This community paper needs you just as much as you need us. So pick up the paper. Tell your neighbors: ‘Hey, that rolled up paper on your sidewalk has some great articles inside, you should read it.’ Tell that advertiser you saw their ad in the Northeast News. Donations are accepted in person with cash or check or online at https://northeast-news.fundjournalism.org/donate/. 

In this season of giving, give the gift of news.

Your Northeast News Staff,

Julia, Dorri, Bryan, Rayna and Inky