In the first full episode of the Local News Matters podcast, host Tim Regan-Porter sits down with executive director Todd Chamberlain and editor Raleigh Burleigh of the Sopris Sun, a weekly print newspaper and nonprofit in the small town of Carbondale, Colorado. The paper’s budget has doubled in the past two years, and Raleigh won the 2022 Innovation Award from the Colorado Press Association for the work he’s done there. Over the course of roughly an hour, we discuss the various projects they’ve launched, their distinctive voice, how they’ve served more of the community and integrated them into the newsroom, and how those efforts have led to more impact and a more sustainable business.

 

Episode breakdown:

(4:40) - Background of Sopris Sun + Raleigh, Todd & innovation award

(12:50) - Overview of Carbondale, CO

(17:28) - Projects for and with Latino communities

(26:13) - Business growth, freelancers and community ties

(44:52) - Design & voice

(49:56) - Biggest challenges + balancing hard and soft news

(58:29) - Digital evolution and the lifespan of a print product

(1:05:22) - Rapid-fire questions

Visit https://localnewsmatterspodcast.com/ for show notes, transcripts and more.