Read more Addison Independent, Less New York Times

As a Middlebury student, you have access to the Addison Independent – it’s time to use it. 

Reading the news is a ritual many of us take very seriously. Almost always, I hear the same publications over and over: the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Guardian, the Wall Street Journal, etc. These publications are certainly important, as they cover national and international news. Sure, sometimes they’ll zoom in on a small community case study, but it’s always brought back to why this matters to all Americans. Local news doesn’t need to pose this question — it matters to these Americans here because this is where they live. 

Earlier this academic year, all Middlebury students got access to the Addison Independent. It joins a long list of other publications from databases to research journals to national newspapers. These subscriptions are widely used both inside and outside the classroom. While I appreciate the “global citizen” approach Middlebury prides itself on, I believe there should also be a stronger focus on being not just impermanent residents, but citizens of Middlebury, Addison County, and Vermont. 

Local news has been proven to be an essential part of preserving democracy; it decreases polarization, turns out the vote, and makes real change. In addition, local journalism has the power to bind communities together, lift them up, and build immense resilience. No one can report on local issues the way local reporters can. 

The Addison Independent isn’t just any local paper, though — it shines on the regional and national scale, winning prestigious awards. In 2025, they won 1st place for General Excellence from the New England News and Press Association in the category of newspapers with a circulation of 5,000 or more. The paper excels through its pages of upcoming events, news, sports, arts & leisure, obituaries, and so much more. The paper is importantly independent; it's not owned by any conglomerate media source, but rather by a local family that has passed it down through generations. 

Journalism as an industry is under immense threat. That threat is not for the huge publications, but for the medium and small. Countless small newspapers are closing everywhere because people are losing interest, reading less print media, and devaluing local news. According to the 2025 Medill State of Local News report, 148 local newspapers had closed or merged in the past year. That’s about 2 newspaper disappearances a week. 

In my time working with the Addison Independent, through the New Perennial’s CRAF program, I’ve found that this paper has not been exempt from this epidemic. Recently, the newspaper has been forced to get creative to secure sufficient funding through initiatives such as the Addy All Stars program and its new nonprofit. People often have the misconception that their taxpayer dollars are going to the paper — but local journalism is a private business that requires our support. This is why it is incredible that the College has taken a huge step to support the Addison Independent. 

It’s up to us to take advantage of this resource, unblock that Indy News email you get every Friday, and get educated on what’s happening closest to us, right here in Addison County. Knowledge about local events, town planning, artists, and more is important to seek out because it fosters a reciprocal, fruitful, and vibrant life beyond campus. It’s easy to forget that we actually live here among real people who want to engage and share stories. More than an economic backing, it’s an orientation to living.  

Since I became a regular reader of the Addison Independent, I’ve realized there is more to it than just a place-based, rational argument for reading these articles — there is an emotional one too. The local paper is not always flowers and roses, and it doesn’t present a utopia. It is real, but it is also hopeful, especially when I feel like everything I read in the national news is deeply disheartening. I’m not arguing that you should stop reading the New York Times, but there is a lot of hope, meaning, and connection that can be found in the pages of the Addison Independent. 

Take one step to becoming a more intentional local citizen: 

• Go to the LOGIN/My Account page on addisonindependent.com

• Enter your Middlebury College email address and the pre-set password: readlocal

• Questions? Reach out to Sean at subscriptions@addisonindependent.com