Sometimes the universe lets you know you might not be quite as alone in the world as you think.
I've been dreading talking to you all about the paywall — and, being exceptionally skilled at procrastination, putting it off as long as I could — but as the time drew near, two things happened that made me feel less apprehensive.
On July 6th, The Morning Sun published an urgent message that without swift and substantial help from the Pittsburg community, they would be closing up shop. They set a fundraising goal of $100,000. Within just over a week they had received $40,000 - people value locally owned local news.
We at the Monitor, on the other hand, are only asking for $7.50 a month (just a quarter a day).
Then last Wednesday morning, I logged into my Fort Scott Tribune account to read the Wednesday paper only to discover there was no Wednesday paper. As it turns out, a printing equipment breakdown forced them to move printing to Springfield and expedite a switch they'd been planning anyway: the Tribune is going weekly, with daily updates online.
Long story short, in a world where most people expect news to be free, the news business ain't exactly flush with cash. It's kind of a scary business to be in, but it's nice to be reminded I'm not alone in that business.
Full disclosure - the Monitor came very close to not happening. For reasons I'll get into in a future op-ed entitled "How I Nearly Bankrupted My Family At Age 39" (and no, that is 100% not a joke), late last summer I was about scrap the idea of going out on this limb altogether, until a random text from Josh Regan made me realize I had to try it.
That late August text message ended up being on the front page of the presentation I gave both of the entities that provided funding to start the Monitor, and it basically sums up our entire mission:
“The enemy here is misinformation, lack of information, and the assumption that comes from it. If people know the truth, they will grab the rope and pull in the correct direction. I truly believe that.” - Josh Regan, August 23rd, 2025
I believe that, too, and now it's time to find out if Josh and I were right, or if he and his wife are going to have to find room for two more adults and three teenage girls. Hey, one of the first sleepovers I ever had was at the Regan house in 1986, so if worst comes to worst it will be just like old times!
On August 20, exactly four weeks from today, the paywall will be coming down on the vast majority of the content here at the Monitor. Over those next four weeks, we intend to slowly but surely start increasing the amount of content we provide, as well as the subjects we cover.
We - and we are a we now, as I've found an small but growing crew of fellow Bourbon County Believers to help me on this crazy journey - are dedicated to bringing you timely, unbiased, and accurate news you can trust. All we're asking is that you grab the rope with us.
Local news for Bourbon County, by Bourbon County — 25¢ a day.
