I’m writing to catch up with all of you about The Islander transition to a digital newspaper.
Yes. It happened fast — on the heels of critical price increases from our printer due to rising paper and transportation costs and the news we would soon face shortages for delivery bags.
Now here we are. Digital. But it’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened. We also struggled, along with all of you, to recover after the 2024 hurricanes.
We struggled to bring the community back together after the storms, to help people and businesses recover, and to bring people back to a sense of belonging that a real community newspaper provides.
We are nearly there. But, please, don’t give up on us yet. Just because the newspaper is not being printed does not mean we won’t have quality news, ads that work for you, and a real community.
We have HUGE numbers for our website and the FREE e-edition gives our readers a chance to turn the pages and view ALL the content.
Our ad rates are reduced and we’re offering other digital benefits as we grow into our new formatting.
Just stay with us. Stay with the community. We’re all still rebuilding in our own way… and we want to grow with you. We can’t do it without YOU.
Together, we can be the first on Anna Maria Island to make a difference online. Just do (islander.org) it!
— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org
STATCOUNTER RESULTS:
2026 visitors page views
April 87,340 97,682
May 40,112 39,249
June 34,737 39,296
July 59,875 66,646
August 66,056 48,081
–September* 56,851 57,940
* Sept 2026: up to Sept. 22.