| Dear Friend, Robin, a new subscriber who recently moved to Maine, told us that reading the BDN helps her know “more about what's going on than most lifelong residents.” James, who donated last month, says that we “publish the best paper in Northern New England.” As the BDN’s managing editor, I can tell you with a straight face that they’re right. Readers tell us they value BDN local reporting across the state -- from my home turf of Hancock County to The County and downtown Bangor, our politics and policy coverage, our investigations, our deep reporting on Bangor, the outdoors, and our role as a guide to a state we all love. I’m the lucky guy who gets to work with a talented team. I get to set reporters loose on big stories, cheer them on when they get the scoop and read investigations line by line looking for unanswered questions. I also get to talk with you. Sometimes readers get in touch to complain. And I love that. Because it means they hold us to a high standard. They should. But just as often they reach out to thank us for reporting that made a difference to them. And that’s what gets me out of bed each morning (that, and my 2-year-old son).
Will you help us reach our year end $75,000 goal with a donation today? Thanks to an anonymous $15,000 matching donor, you can double the impact of your donation. | 
