In this episode, Rebecca talks with Debbie Bowden, publisher and editor of CarolineReview.News, about her “Best Move” of 2025: launching a print-on-demand version of her digital newspaper to better serve her community. Debbie explains how the idea grew out of a simple reader request and evolved into a practical solution for reaching residents without reliable internet access.

They discuss the challenges and opportunities of running a digital-first local news outlet, from building sustainable revenue streams to balancing print and digital formats. Debbie also shares how her background in economic development shapes her approach to local journalism, why community connection drives her work, and how small, strategic innovations can make a big impact for readers.

In this episode, Rebecca is joined by several nominees for MDDC’s Rookie of the Year award, highlighting early-career journalists making an impact across the region. The conversation features Kennedy Thomason of Caroline Review Magazine, Marwa Barakat of The Frederick News-Post, Nick Stonesifer of Spotlight Delaware, Shane Brennan of The News Journal/Delaware Online, and Ellie Wolfe of The Baltimore Banner.

Together, they discuss how they got their start in journalism, the beats they cover, and the stories that have been most meaningful in their early careers—from community-centered reporting to accountability journalism. They also reflect on the challenges of working in today’s media landscape, the importance of local news as a public service, and the skills they hope to develop as they continue to grow. The episode offers a snapshot of the next generation of journalists and the passion driving their work.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Johnny Bassett of Plucky Wire about a new approach to story sharing that’s helping newsrooms collaborate more efficiently. Johnny explains how the platform grew out of the Granite State News Collaborative in New Hampshire, where the challenge of sharing stories across outlets exposed the limits of email, Google Drive, and other tools.

They discuss how Plucky Wire simplifies the process by creating a centralized system for sharing stories, photos, and other content—while also providing built-in analytics to track what’s used and where. Johnny also shares how the platform has expanded to hundreds of outlets nationwide, the importance of identifying “news holes” that need to be filled, and how collaboration can save time and strengthen local journalism. The conversation explores future possibilities as well, including new tools for monetization, photo sharing, and supporting small newsrooms with limited resources.