| Here is why we are asking for your support The BDN has maintained its independence and a high-performing newsroom in a challenging financial environment by innovating how we staff, how we distribute our work and how we pay for it. Today, donations from supporters who understand the importance of strong local journalism help to sustain our community news service. High-quality local journalism that makes a difference to Maine is not cheap, and by asking for your support we owe you insight into those costs. Here’s just one example. Over the past 12 months, the Maine Focus team has produced 14 investigations into the origins and impacts of PFAS. Not only does this reporting take time, it's expensive. These stories take weeks to report, write and edit. Then there are the costs of mileage, meals and public records.
 These 14 stories cost approximately $23,500 to produce. Sixty percent paid the salaries of reporters, 14% paid for our editing costs, 15.9% covered records requests and 9.8% paid for travel and mileage costs. Will you join us this Giving Tuesday in support of our civic news mission? | 
