Changes Coming to South Shore News

To my readers,

Thank you for the support you’ve shown South Shore News over the last two years. I launched this outlet as an experiment: could AI be used to fill the news gap in small communities? Since then, we’ve published over 1,500 local news stories, touching on over 20 cities and towns with regular coverage of 19, continuously refining our AI tools and article format, and yes stretching the definition of “South Shore.”

I believe South Shore News has proved to be a valuable resource to local communities and voters. The question of “can it work” has been answered with a resounding yes.

Now there’s one major question outstanding: is this a business?

For the last two years, I’ve donated my time and covered the technology costs. For me, it’s time to see if readers are willing to pay for South Shore News. I don’t plan to leave my day job, and I’m still serving on my local Select Board, but I want to know if there’s a sustainable business here.

Starting in April, South Shore News will move behind a paywall on Substack. Free subscribers will still receive select stories, but full access to all coverage will require a paid subscription. Pricing will be modest: $8 per month, or $80 per year if you pay in full, with additional opportunities for group pricing for organizations, towns, and school districts. I hope many of you, nearly 2,500 strong receiving these daily emails, have found enough value to support this work.

If enough readers step up, my first goal is to hire an editor to manage day-to-day operations, bringing in a professional in journalism and freeing me to focus on expanding coverage to more communities across the region, likely on different Substack feeds. I also have a few other ideas I’m kicking around that I’m not willing to share yet, but they’ll take time to work out.

I’m grateful for all your support this far, and I hope you’ll continue this journey with me.

-Justin