To our readers, our community, and everyone who has held a copy of The Cordova Times in their hands —
Thank you.
The March 27 issue that comes out today is our final print edition. That is not a sentence I ever expected to write. But it is one I write with clear eyes, deep gratitude, and real determination about what comes next.
The Cordova Times has been the voice of the Prince William Sound region for 112 years. It has covered storms, elections, fisheries, sports, celebrations, and milestones of resilience. It has printed the names of the newly born and the newly departed. It has shown up, week after week, decade after decade, because this community and this region deserved to be seen, and because the truth has always been worth the ink. This week, as we mark the 37th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, it is worth remembering that when national media moved on, The Cordova Times stayed — providing transparency and accountability to the people of Prince William Sound through nearly two decades of litigation. That kind of presence is what local news is for. That is the standard this paper sets, and the one I have tried to honor.
When I took ownership in July 2022, it wasn’t simply a business decision. I grew up in Cordova. The back deck of my family’s fishing boat was my first classroom. This community shaped everything I understand about voice, justice, and responsibility, and taking the helm of my hometown’s newspaper felt like a continuation of that work. Since our first issue under new ownership on August 26, 2022, this small, determined team has shown up for this community through weekly print and, later, bi-monthly print, producing issue after issue with care and commitment. It has been a privilege and an education.
It has also been an honest reckoning. Local news across this country is under significant strain, and the economics of print are no longer sustainable for The Cordova Times and many other newspapers. I believe you, our readers, deserve to hear that plainly. But I also want you to hear this, just as plainly:
The Cordova Times is not going away. We are committed to remaining a platform this region can count on. Sometimes honoring that commitment means making tough calls to adapt and pivot.
Our mission — to cover the issues and priorities that matter most to this region with consistency, depth, and honesty — remains intact. In the coming weeks and months, we will shift to an updated model, with additional partners and a broader platform. I look forward to sharing what that looks like in the months ahead. Larger outlets rarely tell the stories of rural and coastal communities the way the people who live rooted in a place can. That responsibility hits home, and we take it seriously.
By sheer necessity, Alaska demands that we adapt continuously. We don’t back down from hard things; we just find a way through them. That is what The Cordova Times has done for 112 years. That is what we are striving to continue doing.
In the coming weeks, current subscribers will hear directly from me with specifics on what this transition means for them. I want to be clear: Your support as loyal readers holds great value, and we intend to honor it. There is more to share, and I look forward to bringing you into that conversation soon.
To our team, our contributors, our advertisers, and our loyal readers: Thank you. Your support is the backbone of this work, and we do not take it for granted. Stay with us. The story is not over. It is just turning the page.
In the meantime, please consider contributing your stories, opinions, and on-the-ground updates to our newsroom at [email protected].
With gratitude,
Rachel Kallander, owner and publisher of The Cordova Times
Now that The Cordova Times is transitioning to an online publication, we’re committed more than ever to keep delivering vital local news through our digital offerings. Subscribe to our free email newsletter here.
