One of my favorite newsletter memories of the last four years was driving a DART bus with Linh as part of the transit system's effort to get more people to become drivers. Spoiler alert: I hit something. Photo: Courtesy of DART
Jason here. The thing that's become most clear to me while newslettering for the past four years is that we provide an essential community service.
Flashback: I spent more than 20 years at the DSM Register and watched dozens of my colleagues get laid off before I left for Axios.
I was an investigative reporter who had not covered community news in years, so I knew our metro had lost reporters — but I didn't fully recognize the effects until I took this gig.
My mission in taking this job four years ago was to write stories that weren't covered by others — and I worried I'd have a hard time meeting the goal.
Reality check: That's never been a problem.
There are dozens of schools, local governments, influential organizations and powerful businesses in this community that are seldom written about.
New restaurants, cultural events and activities are also commonly overlooked.
Stunning stat: I keep a spreadsheet tracking story ideas and the list has grown to over 600.
Zoom in: A few examples of stories we brought to you first in just this last week include coverage about DSM enforcing a public sleeping ban, Hy-Vee shutting entrances to its downtown store and record city debt.
