Independent, local news is a community project. It takes advertisers, members and donors to make what we do possible, so each year we publish a Community Impact Report to report on what we’ve done.  

Our work is not for us—it’s for you, the residents of North Central Florida. So we believe we owe you an accounting for how we’re stewarding our resources.  

It is no exaggeration to say that 2025 was a banner year and easily Mainstreet’s best to date. We published more content, received more traffic, and saw more signs of major impact than we’ve ever seen before.  

In total, we published more than 2,300 total stories, including some 1,225 bylined stories that Mainstreet staff produced with original reporting. That reporting included more in-depth coverage than we’ve been able to do in the past, thanks to a growing newsroom. 

On the advertising front, we added more new businesses as advertisers and grew our share of legal notices. We also partnered with a variety of organizations and individuals across the community.  

Thank you for your support of this free resource in Gainesville. Together, we are building a stronger community as we help residents stay safe, cast informed votes, and be better neighbors in Alachua County.  

J.C. Derrick 
Publisher 

Growing the newsroom 

In April, we said goodbye to Glory Reitz, who spent two years as our publication coordinator and half-time education reporter and moved home to Missouri to become a managing editor. We promoted Neida Quinones Cruz to publication coordinator, and, thanks to Report for America and local philanthropic support, we brought on our first full-time education reporter, Nick Anschultz, who started in late June.  

Thanks to a Community Foundation grant to underwrite increased rural reporting, we were able to move Lillian Hamman to a full-time reporting role that is half devoted to the rural beat and half devoted to business and features.  

This marked an important milestone for Mainstreet: three full-time news reporters for the first time in our history. We also promoted Seth Johnson, our lead government reporter, to associate editor, working alongside senior editor C.J. Gish.  

In April, we hired Natalie Mitchell as our first full-time member ambassador. She has done a great job of managing and growing our membership program, which is a vital part of making Mainstreet financially sustainable for the long haul.  

Among our freelancers, we welcomed back Megan V. Winslow and onboarded Kirsten Rabin, two outstanding contributors with a deep well of journalism experience.  

Highlights 

• In February, we began offering keepsakes for those who would like frameable, hangable versions of Mainstreet photos and stories.  

• In May, we held a 5-year anniversary celebration complete with food, entertainment, speeches and tours of our renovated office off Tower Road.  

• In July, Mainstreet became an official Report for America newsroom.  

• Also in July, the Florida Press Association recognized Mainstreet staff with four statewide awards. 

• In November, Mainstreet partnered with Toys for Tots to conduct our first toy drive. We were very pleased to receive some 200 toys—far surpassing what our box could hold and requiring two pickups to collect.  

• In December, we participated in A Very GNV Holiday Parade for the third straight year.  

Stories 

Among 1,225 bylined stories in 2025, Mainstreet published many daily reports on city and county meetings, events, high school sports and more. We also published a range of groundbreaking reports that sparked advocacy, legal action and other forms of impact. Some highlights include:   

• Seth Johnson broke the news that a 2024 raid on Boukari Law/Alachua Today had been conducted to investigate alleged crimes against juvenile boys. Alachua Today sued Mainstreet to block publication of the story, but a judge threw out the suit days later. 

• Seth later broke news that the University of Florida finalized a $37 million purchase of 3,180 acres planned for a golf course and conservation.  

• Mainstreet explored the cases of the “Alachua Nine,” a group of voters accused of election fraud, with an in-depth report.  

• Gary Nelson reported on the parent at the center of a school board controversy, which critics said resulted in state leaders putting an antisemite “on a pedestal.” 

• Lillian Hamman broke news of the sale of all Hitchcock’s Market locations, leading to job insecurity for employees and potential food insecurity for residents in rural communities across North Central Florida. Lillian followed up with an interview with the company’s founding family.  

• Lillian and Seth broke news of a blind resident suing more than 40 iconic Gainesville businesses for websites not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

• Nick Anschultz broke news about the resignation of The Frazer School’s owner and the school’s transformation into a nonprofit structure.  

What they are saying  

“Your role in our community is critical and is needed now more than ever.”  

— Barzella Papa, president and CEO, Community Foundation of North Central Florida 

“Facts plus context equals truth. One thing you know each and every time you’re going to get from Mainstreet Daily News is the truth.”  

— Ian Fletcher, CFO, Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce 

“[Mainstreet] articles are out there, telling you what happened at the city, telling you what happened at the county administration building, telling you what happened at whatever the event was, and covering local sports as well. That is such a big deal, and it was a big missing piece in our community.” 

— Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward  

Looking ahead 

Mainstreet is poised for still more growth in 2026. We have multiple major projects in the works that we will help serve the community in deeper, more comprehensive ways than ever before.  

Again, huge thanks to our members and advertisers who make what we do possible. Together, we are making a difference. And believe it or not, we’re just getting started.