It’s hard not to feel the turbulence of the times we’re living in. Whether it’s the economy, the high cost of living, or the general unpredictability of our national leadership, these days seem to test everyone’s sense of stability. No matter where you stand politically, it’s fair to say that we’re all feeling the pinch in one way or another. And yet, as challenging as this moment is, it’s also a time of reflection and realignment—both personally and for this newspaper.
At the start of this year, I made the decision for The Independent to stop publishing opinion columns and letters to the editor. It wasn’t made lightly. For nearly three decades, this paper has provided space for a variety of voices and viewpoints. But over time, we noticed a clear shift—fewer contributions, less engagement, and almost no letters coming in. The national conversation has largely migrated online, where people debate and express themselves in real time on social media. Newspapers once served as the central forum for public discourse; today, that’s no longer where most people are gathering to talk.
The second reason was practical: space. Every page of The Independent is valuable real estate we can devote to what we do best—celebrating the arts, events, and culture of southern Utah. That’s our mission and our strength. By trimming the opinion section, we’ve made more room for stories that uplift and inform, that bring people together rather than divide them.
And third, I wanted to create a clearer line between this publication and my own civic work. Over the past year, I’ve become more active politically, now serving as Chair of the Candidate Recruitment Subcommittee for the Utah Democratic Party. I’m still deeply committed to keeping The Independent nonpartisan in its coverage, but I also believe in transparency. If you’re curious about that side of my life—or maybe even interested in running for office yourself—you can always reach me at josh@utdems.org or find me on social media.
Ultimately, stepping away from opinion content has strengthened the paper. It’s kept us focused on our core mission: arts, entertainment, and community connection. In uncertain times, it feels good to double down on what brings people together. Happy reading!
