A Christmas Thank You to the Readers Who Make Above the Fold Possible

As the year draws to a close, Above the Fold thanks its subscribers for supporting independent, watchdog journalism in Key West and the Florida Keys.

This Christmas, I want to pause the relentless churn of documents, deadlines and public-records requests to say something simple and sincere: thank you.

Above the Fold exists because readers decided that independent, local journalism in Key West is worth supporting.

Every subscription, every forwarded story, every quiet note of encouragement makes it possible to keep asking uncomfortable questions, filing public-records requests, and staying on stories long after the press releases stop.

This past year has reinforced why that matters.

Accountability reporting is rarely neat or convenient. It requires time, patience, verification and a willingness to follow facts wherever they lead — even when they make powerful people uncomfortable. Your support is what allows that work to continue without fear or favor.

Christmas is a season built around light — light returning, light shared, light offered when the days are shortest.

Local journalism plays a similar role in a community. It doesn’t solve every problem, but it helps illuminate what’s happening, who’s responsible and why it matters.

If you’re already a subscriber, thank you for making this work possible.

If you’ve been reading along and finding value in Above the Fold, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support directly funds reporting, public-records requests and the time it takes to get stories right.

However you celebrate this season, I’m grateful you’re here.

Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, a joyful Kwanzaa, and best wishes for a hopeful and peaceful New Year.