Our mission has never been clearer: We believe every town and region in Maine deserves to have its stories told. A healthy news ecosystem is about democracy, accountability and the future of our communities.

Stefanie Manning, managing director of the Maine Trust for Local News. Contributed photo

But it’s not about the specific delivery vehicle for that news. Gone are the days when nearly every resident of a community awaited their morning newspaper on the porch to learn what was happening with their local government, sports teams and neighbors. Our communities increasingly rely on a steady stream of news via websites, newsletters, push alerts, social media and more.

For too long, local newspapers have been falling behind as the world dives further into digital spaces. The Maine Trust for Local News is making bold moves to ensure that our communities continue to receive strong, impactful journalism — now and in the future. This week, we announced a restructuring that rapidly accelerates our digital transformation.

The plan requires difficult choices, including reducing print production in some areas and reshaping our workforce. We did not make these decisions lightly. But we believe strongly that these moves are necessary and will allow us to serve our readers better, with more dynamic coverage, expanded digital offerings and a commitment to preserving the core values of local news.

The reality is that the print business is shrinking. Like our peers in the industry, we saw declines last year in print subscriptions and print advertising.

To protect and grow local journalism in Maine, we must evolve. The numbers tell us we’re on the right path by focusing on our digital future: our digital subscriptions rose 11% last year, and digital advertising grew 23%. The demand for digital news is increasing, and we are responding.

Our planned changes, which still allow us to maintain a sustainable print presence, include:

• A shift in print editions in Lewiston, Waterville and Augusta from six days a week to five, delivered via the Postal Service from Tuesday through Friday, with an enhanced Sunday edition offering more statewide coverage, food and culture sections, and expanded opinion content.

• Adjustments to print frequency in western Maine, Brunswick/Bath and southern Maine to reflect the way readers consume news today.

• The launch of digital “live editions” in seven communities, providing a familiar and complete reading experience in a new, modern format.

• Investment in expanded news beats, including coverage of Indigenous communities and a new quick-strike team that dives deep on breaking stories.

• Enhanced website functionality and the introduction of a new mobile app, ensuring easier access to stories that matter most to our readers.

• A stronger presence in local communities through live events, debates, speaker series, and celebrations of Maine’s culture and high school sports.

The Maine Trust was founded to protect Maine’s newspapers from profit-driven owners and to preserve independent journalism. We take that responsibility seriously. But preservation alone is not enough. We must grow. We must be sustainable. And we must reach more people with the news they need.

We cannot accept a Maine where only the largest cities have dedicated local journalism. By embracing change now, we are ensuring that our newsrooms remain strong and our coverage remains deep for years to come.

We know change is hard. But we also know this is the best way to serve Maine’s communities. We are listening to our readers, and we will continue to do so. We are deeply grateful to our colleagues, advertisers, readers and supporters through this transition. As we aim to remain an essential part of your connection to the places you live, work and play, your support has never been more essential.

This is the start of an important new chapter for local news in Maine. Together, we will build a more resilient, more impactful future for local news in Maine — one that serves every Mainer, no matter where they live or how they get their news.

Stefanie Manning is the managing director of the Maine Trust for Local News.