On local journalism, arts and eats beats, and the challenges of reporting in Cambridge and neighboring Somerville too
Cambridge Day is more than just a BINJ affiliate. We have published features and opinions with the local independent outlet, shared many reporters through the years, and generally supported each other through what have been difficult times for most outlets everywhere, small and large alike.
And so in taking on the task of organizing programming for the repurposed KiOSK in the heart of Harvard Square this summer, we put the Day at the forefront of our efforts. Part of that included interviewing Mary McGrath of Cambridge News Inc., the nonprofit that powers the Day and its print paper, the Week, in the former Out of Town News space for a conversation on “Sustaining Nonprofit Journalism In Cambridge.” That discussion focused on the task of raising funding and awareness for local media, and while those are increasingly critical, for this event—the final in our series on the past, present, and future of publishing in the city—we stuck to the task of reporting. For that chat, we were joined by Cambridge Day founder and Editor Marc Levy and food and arts writer Tom Meek.
Levy launched the Day in 2009 after a career in traditional print journalism, including a role as executive editor of a group of daily and weekly newspapers in Central Connecticut. Per his bio, “for more than 16 years, he has been the sole full-time staff member, taking on the roles of writer, editor, proofreader, and publisher.” His work at the Day focuses on in-depth reporting on local government, education, housing, and community issues, and “his dedication kept the publication running during a time when many local news outlets were shutting down.”
There have been some major changes at the Day over the past two years, including the launch of the aforementioned weekly print edition in 2023 and shift to a nonprofit model. But in this session, we mostly spoke about the foundational work of covering the news, from City Hall to the environment to theaters and restaurants.
