To increase understanding and participation in Lexington, Massachusetts through local, community journalism.
Started by Lexington residents in 2021, the Lexington Observer is a new nonprofit digital newsroom devoted to reporting on Lexington—from serious investigative reporting to ‘explainers’. Our goal is to be a part of civic life in Lexington, joining community organizations including LexMedia.org and publications like the Lexington Times and the Lexington Minuteman. We hope to increase both understanding and participation in our community.
We’ve already covered:
- What’s at stake in Lexington’s gas-powered leaf blower referendum;
- Student-reported coverage of stress at Lexington High School;
- The complexities of an effort to bring a women’s monument to historic Lexington;
- Local election candidates, campaign finance, and local Election Night results;
- Business openings and closings, and the challenges of operating in Lexington Center.
We’ve got lots more coverage planned, including looking at the construction plans for the new police station and the implications of zoning changes for the town’s future. But we need your help to keep going.
Beyond our one paid reporter, we are an all-volunteer crew with experience in newsrooms, running non-profits, and living and working in Lexington. We’re raising money to hire—at a minimum—one more full-time reporter, and hopefully more. We’ll manage and direct LexObserver with transparency so the community can see how decisions are made.
Join us—and don’t forget all of your contributions are tax-deductible.
The Lexington Observer is an accredited member of the Institute for Nonprofit News and Local Independent Online News Publishers (a professional journalism association for independent news publishers).