by Peter Weinberger

My parents, Martin and Janis, purchased the Claremont Courier in 1955 as a young married couple determined to make a difference. What was supposed to be a short stay became a lifelong commitment to journalism. In 2007, I took over as publisher due to my father’s failing health. Since then we’ve expanded coverage by adding a daily website, newsletters, social media, and video — all while continuing to publish our 117-year-old newspaper for the 8,000 readers who prefer print.

The Courier has weathered challenges for decades, thanks to the strong rapport we’ve built with our readers and advertisers. This fall, our staff is launching two new initiatives that readers will see through the remainder of 2025.

As a nonprofit, 15% to 18% of our revenue comes from donations, the rest through subscriptions and advertising. But we cannot sustain this balance without fundraising. Community support is essential, especially as newspaper production costs are projected to rise 12% to 20% this year. That’s why, like other nonprofits, we ask for donations — often in creative and unique ways.

Are you up for our $100k challenge?

Our board of directors and core donors have already pledged $50,000 to launch the Courier’s Challenge Match campaign. We are calling on readers, supporters, local businesses, nonprofits, and anyone else who values local journalism to help match that amount. Together, we can raise $100,000 by December 31.

These fundraising efforts are not just about covering costs — they are about upholding strong journalistic standards, keeping local news alive across print and digital platforms, and keeping the public informed.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we’re asking everyone who values fact-based local news to join in this effort. Throughout the Challenge Match campaign, readers will see Courier stories, columns, social media posts, and newsletters highlighting this vital initiative.

To donate, please visit: claremont-courier.com/donations.

The First Amendment lives here in Claremont

At the Claremont Courier, we don’t just believe in the First Amendment — we affirm it every single day. We question authority, publish the truth, and keep public servants in the public eye. The right to speak, write, and know what’s happening isn’t some abstract legal concept; it’s the oxygen of a free community. When those rights get chipped away, we all breathe a little less freely.

We’ve written in earlier editions about how the First Amendment protects everyone, serving as a cornerstone of free speech. That right was on display September 1, when rallies across the country — including one here in Claremont — marked Labor Day with calls for worker protections, higher wages, and limits on the influence of wealth in government.

How the Courier puts the First Amendment to work

• We ask hard questions and publish real answers.
• We keep meetings open and records public.
• We run all kinds of opinions, even the annoying ones.
• We push back when anyone tries to bury the truth.
• We keep today’s news for tomorrow’s history.
• We help you connect the dots before you vote.
• We prove you can disagree without throwing chairs.

Critics have assailed the Trump Administration’s disregard for longstanding pillars of American democracy, including the First Amendment, which in 1791 enshrined freedom of the press, religion, speech, assembly, and the right to petition the government into the U.S. Constitution. That first bit — freedom of the press — is of primary importance to us here at the Courier. So, we decided to provide our readers with an exploration the First Amendment’s far-reaching impact, right down to us here in small town Claremont.

We will tap the Claremont Colleges’ considerable resources and speak with experts, talk to local nonprofits that assist immigrants to see how recent events have impacted their clients, and we’ll offer our own perspectives on how challenges to the First Amendment have influenced our coverage.

The Courier’s First Amendment special edition will hit the streets September 26. We hope you’ll be part of this historic publication.