Some changes are coming to the McCook Gazette

Some changes are coming to the McCook Gazette, and we welcome your feedback. We also ask for your patience and grace as our staff works through new responsibilities and new routines.

We believe deeply that this newspaper is vital to McCook and the surrounding area. At its best, a local newspaper shares the good news of a community and connects us to our neighbors. It shines a light on local heroes — people who work hard, serve others and make life better for those around them. It also helps open up the world, sharing news from elsewhere that affects us here at home.

The company that owns the McCook Gazette has a guiding motto:

“We are intensely focused on making our communities better through responsible journalism and community engagement. Everything we do should be measured by the test of truth and grace.”

That phrase — truth and grace — matters to us.

Truth without grace can be harsh, even cruel. Difficult issues should not be ignored, but they should be reported with fairness, context and care. Good journalism should identify problems, but it should also recognize those working to solve them and help illuminate possible solutions.

Grace without truth, however, can be deceptive and even dangerous. If we ignore issues that need attention, problems usually only grow larger.

As we make changes at the Gazette, we will strive to live up to that standard. We want you to be proud of your newspaper, just as we are proud of this community.

We know the next few weeks may be a little bumpy as responsibilities shift and new systems are put in place. We thank you for your understanding, your support and your continued belief in the importance of local journalism.

We also invite you to send us story ideas, community news, photos, suggestions and concerns — because the Gazette is strongest when it reflects the community it serves. Please send them to: editor@mccookgazette.com.