The old model of news delivery—big-business daily papers supported by big-business advertisers—is falling, as attention and advertising dollars go to digital platforms and tech companies. News delivery is fractured, and misinformation flourishes as algorithms serve up frenetic, individually tailored content designed to make it hard to look away.
Here in College Park, we have something different, and something that, with your support, is built to last and to build our community: College Park Here & Now, founded in May 2020. Our newspaper goes to every address in the city once a month, providing every resident, regardless of connectivity or social media habits, with common shared information on community volunteerism, local cultural events and the debates happening in local government. We welcome local opinion pieces, and we also publish a continuously updated website (collegeparkhere.com) and a weekly email roundup of local news and events.
In order to deliver reliable, independent local news to you in 2026, our publisher, the nonprofit Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, has set a goal this year of raising $20,000 in donations from local readers by year-end; this will unlock $20,000 in matching funds pooled by 13 generous local donors, and an additional $19,000 in matching funds from NewsMatch, a nationwide campaign to support public service journalism. Please give today to triple your impact! If just 200 donors give $100 this month, by December we will be able to fully turn our attention to bringing you excellent local news in 2026.
Some plans on the horizon that are possible with your support: Starting in February 2026, the newspaper will come out at the beginning of each month, instead of the current mid-month schedule—something readers and advertisers have been clamoring for. Also, we are planning to launch a new four-page Spanish-language section to serve Spanish-speaking residents who receive the paper in their homes, which we are calling College Park Este Mes.
So far in 2025, we have shared with you information you need on everything from College Park city elections to local affordable housing efforts, cycling culture, parent organizing at Parkdale High School, and the triumphs of the Parkdale soccer team.
Our readers tell us they love how the news of their multicultural city gets to the mailbox of every resident, and the way that our local events listings and features on local volunteerism invite residents to connect with their neighbors.
Editors Sharon O’Malley and Jalen Wade work hard to get stories right because they live in our area, too, and care about the same local issues that you do. Good things are happening at your community newspaper, and your donation can help that continue. Please give today!
You can use the QR code to make a donation. Checks can be sent to PO Box 132, Hyattsville MD 20781.