In 2025, MercerMe showed what a small, local newsroom can do when a community depends on it — and when readers make use of the reporting every day. The stories published this year weren’t just articles on a website; they became part of how Hopewell Valley residents understood complicated issues, kept track of decisions affecting their neighborhoods, and stayed connected to one another.
Readers turned to MercerMe when they needed clarity, when situations were changing quickly, or when they simply couldn’t be in the room where decisions were made. The result was MercerMe’s strongest year of reporting yet, built on a small staff, consistent focus, and the growing participation of the people who read and share the work.
A year shaped by original reporting
MercerMe published more than 700 stories in 2025 — and more than half were original reporting. Those stories helped readers see what was happening inside council chambers, board meetings, and public hearings, and they offered explanations and follow-up that made complicated issues easier to understand.
This kind of coverage helped residents track how decisions were made, what other options were on the table, and what the outcomes could mean for families, neighborhoods, and the Valley as a whole. Readers weren’t just getting updates; they were watching issues evolve in real time with context that helped everything make more sense.
Original reporting remains the foundation of MercerMe’s relationship with the community. It’s the reason readers come back, especially when topics become confusing or contested.
Coverage readers relied on
Much of this year’s reporting was driven by the questions readers were asking most often. Coverage helped people stay oriented through:
- Clear, fact-based election reporting, including the Hopewell Borough water system sale, the HVRSD referendum, and local school board races
- In-depth reporting on the jet fuel pipeline leak near Hopewell Valley and its effects on private well water
- Regular summaries of meetings and decisions that many residents could not attend
- Timely public information when clarity, accuracy, and speed mattered
Readers turned to MercerMe because the information was actionable. It helped people understand what had happened, why it mattered, and what might happen next.
How readers used MercerMe’s reporting
To understand how well coverage met local information needs, MercerMe tracked each story by focus area. The picture that emerges reflects how people used the reporting throughout the year.
In 2025, MercerMe published:
- 468 public-information stories, offering straightforward explanations of what was happening and what actions mattered
- 162 government-accountability stories, documenting decisions made by local boards and governing bodies
- 117 civic-engagement stories, from elections to opportunities for public participation
- 216 community-connection stories, which helped residents follow local issues and events
Education and schools remained a major priority, with 100 stories covering topics affecting students and families. Environmental and infrastructure reporting — including issues with direct health and safety implications — accounted for 205 stories.
Taken together, these numbers show how deeply residents rely on MercerMe for clarity, follow-through, and connection. The reporting is part of everyday life in Hopewell Valley, helping people understand decisions made on their behalf and stay informed as issues unfold.
A small newsroom with deep focus
MercerMe operates with a small but focused staff, which allows for strong local knowledge and the ability to stay on top of issues that matter most in the Hopewell Valley. A major turning point this year was the addition of a full-time editor, a role dedicated entirely to shaping, strengthening, and expanding the reporting readers rely on.
This investment made the newsroom more consistent and responsive. It also allowed the publisher to devote more time to fundraising, partnerships, and long-term planning — the behind-the-scenes work that ensures reliable local coverage continues year-round.
Supporting local information
In 2025, MercerMe received support from the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium, an independent organization that funds trusted local reporting across the state. The award helps strengthen original reporting, improve editorial systems, and expand coverage capacity.
For readers, that support translates directly into clearer explanations, sustained follow-up on complex issues, and more consistent access to timely public information.
A growing community of supporters
The number of recurring supporters grew by nearly 65% in 2025 — a clear signal that readers recognize the value of reliable local news. That growth strengthens the newsroom’s ability to deliver the depth and consistency the community depends on.
Reader support is not just financial; it reflects a shared belief that Hopewell Valley deserves clear, accessible information about its own public life.
Looking ahead
The work ahead is to build on this foundation — to continue covering local institutions, invest in original reporting, and respond quickly when new issues emerge that require careful explanation.
MercerMe exists because readers value having accurate, useful local information at their fingertips. If MercerMe has helped you stay informed this year, you can learn more about supporting this work here.
