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Three-and-a-half months ago, the Marblehead Independent did not exist. We launched on Sept. 15 with a narrow and deliberate aim: Keep Marblehead informed with independent journalism carried out with intention, context and care.
From mid-September through the end of 2025, we established a nimble publishing rhythm in public view. Today, we are sharing our 2025 year-in-review report (embedded below) — a look at how a lean, reader-powered newsroom is building a digital town square.
A quick snapshot
In our first few months, we focused on building habit and trust.
The reach: Our reporting generated 846,600 views on Facebook alone.
The output: We published approximately 250 reported stories and 300 total items.
The efficiency: By leveraging modern technology, running the Independent costs just $80,000 annually, allowing 95 percent of our budget to go directly to reporting.
Stories that mattered
We prioritized "process" over "spectacle." Readers engaged most deeply when we covered decisions still unfolding, rather than just finished outcomes.
Civic clarity: We unpacked complex issues like the MBTA Communities law and the $142 million unfunded retiree health care liability.
Local history: We verified local lore with our feature "Sylvia Plath Babysat Here" and brought the history of the Children's Island Sanitarium to life.
Community life: From the preservation struggles at Old Burial Hill to the "snail house" curiosity, we documented the unique character of our town.
Looking to 2026
We are just getting started. In the coming year, we are expanding our team, have been accepted into the MHS senior project program and are forming an official polling panel to better capture resident sentiment.
This work is sustained directly by you. Currently, about 0.6 percent of Marblehead's population is funding journalism for the entire town. Our goal for 2026 is to grow our recurring membership to 175 households.
Will you help us build the future of local news in Marblehead?
