National Newspaper Week, an important reminder of the vital role newspapers play in informing and uniting the communities they serve, is coming to a close. Newspapers are more than a source of headlines — they are the heartbeat of democracy at the local level, providing trusted, accurate reporting that helps citizens understand the world around them.

For generations, newspapers have stood as guardians of truth, holding those in power accountable and ensuring transparency in government. From your local council to your school board, no institution better chronicles the workings of democracy in our region than The Times Leader. Our nation’s founders recognized this when they enshrined freedom of the press in the First Amendment, and courts ever since have reaffirmed that a free, independent press is essential to a free people.

In communities such as ours, your newspaper serves as both watchdog and neighbor — explaining how tax dollars are spent, what new policies mean for families, and how decisions at the courthouse or in Congress affect everyday life here at home. But newspapers also provide something no algorithm or digital feed can replicate: context, accuracy, and trust built over decades.

We are the place readers turn to when they want to know the truth, understand the facts behind a headline, or celebrate the people who make this region special. Our pages — in print and online at timesleaderonline.com — provide a forum for discussion, debate, and discovery. We spotlight local successes, recognize challenges and give voice to those striving to make this region stronger. Through every milestone and every crisis, newspapers are there — documenting, verifying, and telling the full story.

Our mission each day is simple: to inform, to question, to inspire, and to strengthen Eastern Ohio. These are our communities, too, and we take pride in telling their stories truthfully, every day.