Waterbury News Network was born from a simple but powerful belief: every community deserves reliable, accessible local news — regardless of size, location, or resources.
In recent years, Connecticut has watched traditional newsrooms shrink, merge, or close, leaving many towns without consistent local coverage. Important stories about local government, schools, public safety, community events, and everyday life were going untold. Recognizing this growing gap, the idea for a nonprofit, community-focused newsroom took shape.
In 2024, I shared this growing concern with my longtime friend, Stephen Aldridge. What began as a late-night conversation between two friends quickly evolved into a shared mission. I brought the spark and passion for service-driven journalism; Stephen brought the structure, experience, and determination needed to make it real.
With no initial funding, no staff, and no guarantees — only purpose and commitment — we launched Waterbury News Network. We started by covering Waterbury, but it soon became clear that the need extended far beyond one city. Requests from neighboring towns and communities without dedicated reporters encouraged us to grow.
Today, what started as two friends working after hours has evolved into a 27-member volunteer newsroom. Every member of our team donates their time, skills, and dedication to deliver accurate, fair, and community-centered reporting across Waterbury and surrounding Connecticut towns.
Our Mission.
At Waterbury News Network, we believe:
Our Values.
As a volunteer-powered newsroom, our team is guided by these core values:
Community First Our work is driven by the needs of the residents we serve, not clicks or profit.
Integrity We report the truth with honesty and transparency.
Accessibility News should be clear, timely, and available to all, regardless of background or resources.
Dedication We show up for our communities — through storms, late nights, and breaking news — because local stories matter.
Collaboration: We value every volunteer’s contribution and believe strong journalism thrives through teamwork and shared purpose.
Looking Forward.
Waterbury News Network remains committed to steady growth. Our goals include expanding our volunteer team, broadening the areas we serve across Connecticut, and strengthening our coverage with dedicated reporting in News, Sports, and Weather. As we grow, we will continue adding new voices, deeper local stories, and improved ways to keep our communities informed and connected.
Waterbury News Network is more than a newsroom — we are a promise. A promise that the stories shaping our neighborhoods will be told with care, integrity, and dedication. A promise that no community in our region will be left in the dark.
We are community-powered journalism at its core, and we exist to inform, connect, and serve the people of Waterbury and the many surrounding towns across Connecticut.
We’re still just getting started — and we couldn’t do it without the support of readers like you who believe in the importance of strong local news.
Thank you for trusting us with your community’s stories.
— The Founders of Waterbury News Network.