Marshall Tempest
Key Points
As the 2026 election arrives, affordability is a major campaign issue. From gasoline to health insurance to tomatoes, increasing costs are putting pressure on every American.
Unfortunately, the news industry is no exception. All the consumables involved in printing a newspaper have increased sharply, including aluminum plates, ink and paper.
So far this year, North American newsprint suppliers have increased rates three times, pushing newsprint prices to historically high levels. Those increases have hit our printer, The Villages Daily Sun, which has passed along the increases to us. We are now left with no choice but to pass these on to advertisers.
We know that this rate adjustment does not come at an easy time. Many small businesses are in a battle for survival, facing not only rising costs but market disruptions of various kinds.
The Apopka Chief has first-hand knowledge of these challenges. In our first year under new ownership, we managed to grow revenue — the first time that had happened in 14 years — but rising costs have applied relentless pressure. We still have work to do to get the Chief back in the black.
Advertising is the bedrock of our business model. Increasing weekly circulation to 10,000 last year helped serve long-term advertisers such as Shren Yeager, J&K Automotive and Graceworx Community Church while also attracting new advertisers such as Publix and Hancock Whitney Bank.
As you have the opportunity, please frequent Apopka Chief advertisers and thank them for supporting independent, trustworthy local news. This work could not continue without them.
The same could be said of our members. We are grateful for each person who has joined The Apopka Chief membership program, which plays a critical role in making the Chief sustainable for its second 100 years.
Membership comes with some fun perks, including an exclusive monthly email and giveaways. What kind of giveaways? The next member newsletter goes out Monday and will include a P.F. Chang’s gift card, Crayola Experience tickets, and tickets to see the No. 1 Florida men’s basketball team take on Merrimack.
The perks are pretty sweet, but the most important reason to become a member is to help us build a stronger community. The Chief does not traffic in conspiracy theories and rumors, peddle narratives and agendas, or use AI to produce faux journalism.
We show up every day to deliver quality reporting on this great community we call home, documenting city government actions, showcasing community events and clubs, and celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our student-athletes.
That’s a mission worth supporting. If you would like to join us, please visit www.theapopkachief.com/become-a-member.