This just made my day. I love visiting The Berkshires, and one of the first things I do when I get there is pick up The Berkshire Eagle to read what is happening locally. Thank you for this story.
The Berkshire Eagle is located near the center of Berkshire County that consists of beautiful natural landscapes, small farms and numerous communities that each have their own historically determined characteristics. Pittsfield is the largest city, but is of modest size. The county has multiple art museums and historical sites as well as three colleges and venues that support a multiplicity of historical cultural and popular concerts, exhibitions and other events that attract local citizens along with urban visitors and second home owners. The public is engaged politically and relishes the political events covered by the Eagle.
There are the less savory local news that is also covered, but these stories never dominate the messaging of the Berkshire Eagle.
Excellent writing and accurate reporting provide a paper that is informative, interesting and readable.
And to Massachusetts Statehouse reporters of a certain age there was the example of A.A. “Abe” Michaelson, who earned the title of dean of that press corps
This is awesome. What a great story. I cover (non-fluffy) good news across New England and will be sure to include and reference this in our next newsletter! Well done!
The sad story of The Baltimore Sun does not have such a wonderful Cinderella ending as The Berkshire Eagle. Once a national newspaper of record, it was read daily by many US presidents and other high-ranking officials. It had eight foreign bureaus, leading to its trademark line, “The Sun never sets on the world.” More importantly it had an extensive, wide ranging local news staff the covered City Hall and all the public departments as well as the surrounding counties and Annapolis, the State capital.
Founded by AS Abell in 1837, it was sold first to The LA Times, which in turn was sold to The Tribune, only to eventually wind up in the hands of, yes, Alden Global. The newsroom was gutted out and it sadly became a mere shadow of its long and inspired history. Two years ago, David Smith, owner of the very conservative Sinclair Broadcast Group, purchased the paper and transformed it into Sinclair’s image. A very troubling moment in its storied history.
This just made my day. I love visiting The Berkshires, and one of the first things I do when I get there is pick up The Berkshire Eagle to read what is happening locally. Thank you for this story.
The Berkshire Eagle is located near the center of Berkshire County that consists of beautiful natural landscapes, small farms and numerous communities that each have their own historically determined characteristics. Pittsfield is the largest city, but is of modest size. The county has multiple art museums and historical sites as well as three colleges and venues that support a multiplicity of historical cultural and popular concerts, exhibitions and other events that attract local citizens along with urban visitors and second home owners. The public is engaged politically and relishes the political events covered by the Eagle.
There are the less savory local news that is also covered, but these stories never dominate the messaging of the Berkshire Eagle.
Excellent writing and accurate reporting provide a paper that is informative, interesting and readable.
William Moomaw, Williamstown, MA
And to Massachusetts Statehouse reporters of a certain age there was the example of A.A. “Abe” Michaelson, who earned the title of dean of that press corps
This is awesome. What a great story. I cover (non-fluffy) good news across New England and will be sure to include and reference this in our next newsletter! Well done!
Great coverage. This week I featured this story in my Substack "Trained As A Journalist".
The sad story of The Baltimore Sun does not have such a wonderful Cinderella ending as The Berkshire Eagle. Once a national newspaper of record, it was read daily by many US presidents and other high-ranking officials. It had eight foreign bureaus, leading to its trademark line, “The Sun never sets on the world.” More importantly it had an extensive, wide ranging local news staff the covered City Hall and all the public departments as well as the surrounding counties and Annapolis, the State capital.
Founded by AS Abell in 1837, it was sold first to The LA Times, which in turn was sold to The Tribune, only to eventually wind up in the hands of, yes, Alden Global. The newsroom was gutted out and it sadly became a mere shadow of its long and inspired history. Two years ago, David Smith, owner of the very conservative Sinclair Broadcast Group, purchased the paper and transformed it into Sinclair’s image. A very troubling moment in its storied history.
Chock one up for regional news, every victory's a big win.
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story. In the words of Willie Wonka, “So shines a good deed in a weary world.”