Give to support our award-winning reporting in 2026!

It’s been a challenging year, with more important news stories to cover than ever before. We need your support to bring you in-depth coverage on important topics in 2026! 

Please give now with a tax deductible donation or become a monthly donor to assure that we can cover the most important news stories in the new year.

All gifts are appreciated, but for donations of $50 or more, we will send our guide to 12 new restaurants to savor in East County as thanks for your generosity.

East County Magazine has kept you informed about local impacts of federal actions such as the government shutdown, immigration crackdowns, cuts in healthcare, dismantling the Department of Education, removing protected status of refugees, efforts to sell off public lands, and more.

Locally, we’ve covered hot topics such as eliminating teacher-librarian positions in the Grossmont Union High School District, residents’ successful fight to defeat the Cottonwood sand mine proposal,  the housing crisis and homelessness challenges, threats to public access at local lakes, actions of local city councils, wildfires and other emergencies.

For 2026, our need to increase our reporting resources is greater than ever.  Here's why.

Congressional midterm elections and 52 local races will be on the ballot, from school boards to state representatives. With long-time legislators termed out and Congressional districts being redrawn, new faces could represent East County. Help us bring you coverage of as many candidates as possible.

 Plus weather forecast are predicting a dry year, meaning higher than usual wildfire dangers and a need for timely reporting.  The impacts of federal and state actions locally are expected to increase.  All on top of the ongoing need to report on actions of city councils, supervisors, and other boards, plus crime, environmental and land use issues, the arts and community events.

Yet our costs of everything have gone up, so we need your help to avoid cutting coverage.

Will you please help by making a generous donation at https://www.EastCountyMedia.org or become a monthly donor? 

All gifts are appreciated, but for donations of $50 or more, we will send our guide to 12 new restaurants to savor in East County as thanks for your generosity.

Best wishes for a happy and safe New Year!

Miriam Raftery, Editor

East County Magazine  and the East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts