A few of our stories and columns are now in front of the paywall. We at The Chief remain committed to independent reporting on labor and civil service. It's been our mission since 1897. You can have a hand in ensuring that our reporting remains relevant in the decades to come. Consider supporting The Chief, which you can do for as little as $3.20 a month.
Dear friends,
Thank you for being with us through 2025. It was both a turbulent and a promising year. The Chief enters 2026 with a resolve it has not had during my tenure as publisher.
This institution has an extraordinary history and flourished during the golden years of newspaper publishing. It is no surprise, however, that journalism and media broadly face intense headwinds from digital platforms and the fierce competition for your attention. At The Chief, I am deeply proud of our commitment to integrity and independence.
We weathered significant staffing changes in 2025, including the departure of our editor, Richard Khavkine, last month. As you have seen, we did not miss a beat, and we are committed to expanding and deepening our coverage in 2026.
In New York, there is more union news to cover than there has been in years. With the election of Zohran Mamdani, we anticipate increased pressure from the ranks on management and corporate ownership. We are excited to examine how this new administration will shape the lives and outlooks of workers in New York and how its impact may ripple across the country.
The Chief aspires to give you clear insight into local union activity while continuing to expand our coverage of national trends and labor actions in 2026.
Harper Freeman, our new editor, elevated from the reporting staff, is passionate about covering labor news and ensuring workers have a place to be seen and heard. Carter Myers-Brown, our newest reporter, brings talent and insight to our ambitious mission.
In the months ahead, you’ll notice changes to both our coverage and our look — across print and online. As we evolve, we want to hear directly from you, our readers.
Which sections keep you coming back? What topics should we be covering more closely? Would you like to see more civil service lists, exams, job postings and other essential non-news content?
Share your thoughts and suggestions with us at info@thechiefleader.com.
Our letters section is one of the most popular in the paper, and we invite you to submit letters to the editor for publication through our online form or directly to Harper at hfreeman@thechiefleader.com.
Our goal remains the same: to be your source for honest, independent reporting on the issues that affect your life as a worker and union member.
Thank you for staying tuned.
Yours truly,
— Ben August
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here