Why FreshWater Cleveland still matters to me
Courtesy of Downtown Cleveland, Inc.Public Square 2026.
When I joined FreshWater as a reporter in 2011, I was drawn to its mission.
The FreshWater owners at the time believed that Cleveland's neighborhoods deserved thoughtful, in-depth coverage. They believed that residents' stories mattered. They believed journalism could do more than report problems—it could help people understand the solutions, opportunities, and ideas shaping their communities.
Fifteen years later, I still believe that.
In 2023, I became the owner of FreshWater because I wanted to ensure that mission continued for years to come.
Every day, I have the privilege of working with talented writers, photographers, and storytellers who share a commitment to independent, neighborhood-focused journalism.
Together, we tell stories that celebrate Cleveland's people, places, and possibilities. We amplify the voices of those working every day to strengthen our city and neighborhoods.
As our Independence Day campaign comes to a close, I thank everyone who has supported FreshWater. If you've already contributed, thank you. If you've been considering making a contribution, there's still time to invest in the independent journalism that has served Cleveland since 2010.
Your support helps ensure that FreshWater remains an independent voice for our community. It also helps us pay our writers, our photographers, and our talented summer interns—Elizabeth Hille and Sage Colón.
Thank you for reading, sharing, and believing in the power of local journalism.
— Karin Connelly Rice
Managing Editor and Owner
Support Independent Journalism. Invest in Cleveland's Stories. Support FreshWater Cleveland.
