An open letter to our readers, advertisers and the Historic Northeast community

From the Publisher of the Northeast News

On July 1, 1998, Pinnacle Communications LLC assumed ownership of The Northeast News with the mission of rekindling the once-strong news publication. The faded and aging brand was ready for its final curtain call and placement atop the dust-heap of Northeast history. And why not? The East-Sider, a similar community newspaper that was headquartered near 25th and Hardesty, had shuttered operations six months earlier. There was no reason to believe The Northeast News would be any different.

But fate has a way of changing trajectories. Less than a week passed before Norm Mason walked through our door, taking up residence in the editor’s chair along with Photo Editor Brad Finch, shepherding the paper’s return to Community Journalism after less than 90 days of ownership. The future was getting brighter despite the advertisers being angry their ads were removed from the front page and placed inside, just like any other real news outlet.

Through the years, a number of talented editors penned award-winning news pieces for Northeast News readers: Tracy Abeln, Dan Ascheman, Leslie Collins – now with the KC Business Journal – Mike Ekey, Joe Jarosz, Paul Thompson – now the Managing Editor of the Austin Texas Business Journal – Elizabeth Orosco and our present Managing Editor, Historic Northeast native Abby Hoover.

This week, 24 years after Michael Bushnell and Christine Adams took over ownership of The Northeast News, guiding it through some oft difficult times, The House of News will be operating under a non-profit corporation entitled Historic NorthEast Media Incorporated, HNE Media Inc. for short.

The mission of continuing the Community Journalism model will remain unchanged. That passion for bringing relevant news and information to our community, a largely underserved community we might add, will continue. Financially however, the new, non-profit status will allow our organization to seek grant and foundation funding set aside for non-profit journalism outlets, something we could not do before given our “for profit” status.

In fact, we look forward to actually expanding our reach and engagement by working with such non-profit journalism entities as Report for America and The Knight Foundation, two organizations that sponsor year-long contracts for young journalists to join the newsrooms of small community papers, allowing them to actually expand their news coverage ability in their respective communities.

As for our advertisers, paid ads will still be accepted with the exception of some paid political or campaign ads. We’ll still have our monthly non-profit sponsored content series with dedicated community partners that we look forward to expanding in the coming months.

We also look forward to establishing a Community Engagement Board, made up of residents from all of our Historic Northeast neighborhoods who can be a regular sounding board for our news coverage, while at the same time telling us about unique and often not covered news stories, the kind of stuff the “big guys” regularly pass up for more sensational “if it bleeds, it leads” news pieces.

As for the Publishers, Michael and Christine, we’ll still be around, but those roles will be changing, allowing for the expanded community engagement outlined above.

It’s been a helluva ride folks, covering some of the community’s happiest and saddest moments with a team that’s been first class from start to finish. 

Want Northeast News articles sent straight to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
Enter your email address and click on the Get Instant Access button.
We respect your privacy

Comments are closed.

  • Movie Review of ‘Nelly Don: The Musical Movie’

    September 29th, 2023
    by

    By Dorri Partain, Contributor Opening at select art theaters across Kansas City on Friday, September 29, Nelly Don, The Musical […]


    I-35 shutdown due to cattle truck, SUV collission

    September 28th, 2023
    by

    If you are southbound on interstate 35 this morning headed for downtown, you may want to find an alternate route. […]


    Nelly Don: The Musical debuts for local viewing

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor A new, locally filmed production, “Nelly Don: The Musical” recounts the life of Nell Donnelly Reed, who found […]


    Record numbers turn out for John V. Mesh Scholarship Fundraiser

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher Over 200 shooters turned out on a stormy Saturday morning at Powder Creek Shooting Park in Lenexa, Kan., […]


    Mattie Rhodes opens health clinic to serve Jackson County’s Latinos population

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Abby Hoover  Managing Editor Last Friday, Mattie Rhodes Center announced the grand opening of its health clinic that will provide […]


    Developers break ground on Columbus Park Townhomes

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Abby Hoover Managing EditorMichael BushnellPublisher Developers broke ground on the long-awaited Columbus Park Townhomes project on Pacific Street Friday morning, […]


    Book Review: Mafia Dreams by Frank Hayde

    September 27th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher As an amateur Kansas City historian, pretty much any book that offers a glimpse into the city’s past […]


    Scarritt School repurposing conversation continues

    September 21st, 2023
    by

    On Thursday, Sept. 21, Kansas City Public Schools’ (KCPS) Repurposing Initiative staff sent a message updating the community on the […]


    Bally’s Kansas City casino expansion opens

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Abby Hoover  Managing Editor Bally’s Kansas City officially opened its land-based property expansion in the East Bottoms on Friday. The […]


  • Truman Road pawn shop owner sentenced for $744,000 scheme to sell stolen items online

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Criminal Conspiracy Profited Most During COVID Pandemic Abby Hoover  Managing Editor The owner of a Kansas City, Mo., pawn shop […]


    Families who rely on interpreters find Kansas City area schools can come up short

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Federal law requires that schools provide interpretation for families. But technology glitches, tight budgets and staffing issues can pose barriers […]


    Familias  recurren a intérpretes consideran que las escuelas del área de Kansas City se quedan cortas

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Ley federal requiere que escuelas ofrezcan interpretación a familias. Pero fallas de tecnología, presupuestos ajustados, y escasez de personal imponen […]


    Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center hosts KC Police Chief Stacey Graves for community conversation

    September 20th, 2023
    by

    Abby Hoover  Managing Editor Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (SURHC) on Euclid hosted Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) Chief Stacey […]


    We’re from the government, and we’re here to help

    September 15th, 2023
    by

    Michael Bushnell Publisher Maybe not so much. If you’ve been unlucky enough to drive down Belmont Blvd. this week, just south […]


    Secretario de Educación, Congresista Cleaver, visitan Mattie Rhodes Center para promover la participación de padres 

    September 14th, 2023
    by

    Escrito por Abby Hoover, directora editorial Traducción por Daisy Garcia Montoya, reportera de educación Mattie Rhodes Center en Northeast Kansas City […]


    Festival to highlight urban agriculture and healthy eating

    September 13th, 2023
    by

    Dorri Partain Contributor From sweet and tart to savory, visitors to the 3rd Annual Ground Cherry, Garlic and Good Times […]


    KCU’s Score 1 for Health screens 400 students on Thursday

    September 13th, 2023
    by

    Michael BushnellPublisher Over 400 charter school students from Northeast-based Scuola Vita Nuova (SVN) were guests at the Kansas City University […]


    Secretary of Education, Congressman Cleaver visit Mattie Rhodes Center to promote parent engagement

    September 13th, 2023
    by

    Abby Hoover Managing Editor Mattie Rhodes Center in Northeast Kansas City hosted U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05) and U.S. […]


  • Northeast Newscast


  • Remember This?

    Remember this?

    September 27th, 2023
    by

  • Want articles sent directly to your inbox each week? Subscribe below!
    We respect your privacy and will not distribute your information.