Standing on the Shoulders of Local Media
Updates, changes, corrections, and why community still matters
One of the things I’ve learned over the past few years owning local media is that every week feels a little bit like trying to build an airplane while simultaneously flying it.
Some weeks are smooth.
Other weeks involve accidentally publishing a high school awards story from Danville, Alabama.
More on that in a minute.
But that’s part of what makes local media so personal. It’s alive. It changes. It grows. And behind every newspaper page and radio broadcast are actual people trying very hard to serve their communities well.
And lately, there’s been a lot happening around both WYKR and The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case.
Growing the Paper
Over the past several months, many readers have probably noticed some familiar bylines appearing in our pages.
With the closing of the Green Mountain Trading Post, we’ve been humbled and honored to welcome several of their longtime columnists into The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case family, with more likely joining us in the coming weeks.
For many years through WYKR, we worked alongside Green Mountain Trading Post and always appreciated the mission Sharon and her team brought to the region. They believed deeply in local businesses, local voices, and community storytelling—values we’ve always tried to uphold ourselves both on the radio and in print.
And when it became clear those writers suddenly needed a new home for their work, we felt strongly that if we had the ability to help continue those voices, we should.
Because local columns matter.
There’s something special about opening a paper and recognizing the people writing in it. These columns become part of readers’ routines. You get attached to certain voices and storytelling styles that reflect life here in northern New England.
National media can tell you what’s happening in Washington.
But local columnists tell you what’s happening in real life.
They write about family, farming, weather, traditions, local history, and the everyday moments that make communities feel connected.
That kind of writing matters.
We’ll likely end up bringing on four or five former GMTP writers altogether, and we’re excited about what they bring to the paper. Each columnist will also have their own dedicated section on our website, giving readers an easy way to follow and share their work online.
At the same time, we’ve also been reaching out to many former GMTP advertisers because local businesses deserve continuity too.
Community papers survive because local businesses believe in them. And local businesses stay visible because community papers help connect them to readers.
That relationship still matters tremendously.
The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case now reaches roughly 12,000 homes every single week across Caledonia County, Orange County, Vermont, and Grafton County, New Hampshire. The paper is always free to read online as well.
And honestly, this isn’t about “replacing” another publication.
It’s about continuing the spirit of local media.
Because once local voices disappear, it’s incredibly difficult to bring them back.
The Radio Industry Keeps Changing
At the same time, radio continues evolving too.
One of the biggest recent developments in broadcasting is the closure of CBS News Radio, which officially shuts down on May 22 after nearly 100 years on the air.
For people outside the radio industry, this may not sound like a huge story.
But for broadcasters, it’s the end of an era.
CBS News Radio traces its roots back to 1927 and helped define what broadcast journalism became in America.
In announcing the shutdown, CBS leadership cited “challenging economic realities” and “a shift in radio station programming strategies.”
And while radio itself is absolutely still alive and well—especially local radio—it’s another reminder that the media landscape keeps changing quickly.
At WYKR, we’ll be working over the coming weeks to determine what our next top-of-the-hour news solution will look like moving forward after CBS ends operations.
The good news is this:
Local radio always matters.
Because people are increasingly looking for media that feels trustworthy, accountable, and connected to real communities instead of faceless algorithms and national noise.
And local radio still does something incredibly well:
It shows up every single day.
Speaking of Accuracy…
Now, while we’re talking about journalism and accountability, I suppose this is also the appropriate moment to discuss last week’s accidental visit to Alabama.
Some readers may have noticed the “Danville High School Who’s Who Awards” section we published.
Turns out…
That was from Danville, Alabama.
Not Danville, Vermont.
Now, in my defense, I always believe strongly in cross-checking references and sources.
And thankfully, we never specifically said “Danville, Vermont” in the piece.
So technically…
I believe we remained legally and spiritually in the clear.
I also want to give sincere credit to the principal of Danville School here in Vermont, who was incredibly courteous and diplomatic in reaching out and gently informing us that while they appreciated the recognition, they had not actually held those particular awards.
And if you work in newspapers long enough, eventually something like this happens.
Usually, at the exact moment you thought everything was running smoothly.
Looking Ahead
As we continue building both WYKR and The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case, our focus remains the same:
Strong local coverage
Community storytelling
Supporting local organizations
Giving local voices a platform
And making sure our communities still have media outlets rooted right here at home
2026 will also mark WYKR’s 50th anniversary.
Fifty years of local radio.
That doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens because generations of listeners, advertisers, businesses, staff members, and families chose to support local media instead of taking it for granted.
Support the Businesses That Support Your Community
Before I wrap up, I want to say something that matters deeply to me.
Please support the businesses you see in this paper and hear on WYKR.
These businesses believe in this community.
They invest in local organizations, sponsor community events, support school programs, nonprofits, sports teams, and fundraisers.
Local businesses help make local communities possible.
And local media helps connect people back to those businesses.
When you choose to spend your dollars locally, a large percentage of that money stays right here in our communities—supporting jobs, families, schools, and organizations throughout our region.
So the next time you hear a commercial on WYKR or see an ad in The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case, remember:
Those businesses are investing in your community.
And around here, that still means something.