As 2025 dawns, the Plymouth Independent has wrapped up its first full year of publication. And it truly was full. We published hundreds of stories, columns, letters, obituaries, videos, and images from local artists. Many thousands of you came to the site every week – almost 800,000 during the last 12 months. Close to 24,000 people signed up for our emails, which let readers know about new stories. Page views in 2024 reached nearly 2.2 million.
The Independent’s out-of-the-gate success attracted attention regionally and nationally. Many people in the nonprofit news world asked us: “What’s your secret?” The answer starts with our readers. After years without meaningful local news coverage, Plymouth residents – and those who have moved elsewhere – craved information about a community growing so large that many believe it’s morphing into a city. The message you sent us was clear: We like what you’re doing, give us more.
That’s our aim. A local news source not only informs, but it also helps to hold the powerful accountable and build a sense of community that so many seek in our warp speed world of misinformation and sensory overload.
Some of you have become regular contributors to the Independent, fueling our nonprofit mission. We are grateful, and hope that momentum accelerates in the new year. More money will allow us to become sustainable and expand our hard-working staff of three (aided by a cadre of invaluable freelancers). Real journalism is not free.
As we lean forward, here’s a look back at the top 10 most read stories we published on the site in 2024, in order of popularity. Some of them may surprise you.
1. “We saw no signs of anything.” Twenty-year-old Matt Murphy took his own life more than five years ago. His parents, Pamela and David Murphy, spoke about their loss with the aim of raising awareness about mental health. It was far and away the most popular story. We hope it did some good.
2. “Restaurant’s pitch for outdoor music denied after heated exchange between owner and Select Board member.” Su Casa owner Erin Murphy faced a grilling from Charlie Bletzer over the downtown restaurant’s application to offer sidewalk music. The two later reached a compromise, which was subsequently approved by the board.
3. “You can’t sit on your balcony or even watch TV.” Complaints from residents of the Copper Cove apartment complex about young people allegedly disturbing the peace generated a lot of feedback. Sadly, much of it was mired in vitriol and hatred.
4. “Downtown shooting leaves man dead, suspect in custody.” The October incident, which took place in the Middle Street parking lot, was a rare instance of gun violence in town.
5. “Plymouth man charged with raping woman outside of Main Street bar.” The alleged attack took place last month, just yards from the scene of the November shooting.
6. “What we know about the massive military plane that buzzed Plymouth.” Some people found it terrifying, while others proclaimed it “cool.” Either way, it was a spectacle that readers were curious about.
7. “Firefighter charged with making secret video resigns under pressure.” He’s no longer a town employee, but the criminal case against him remains unresolved.
8. “As a family mourns, questions remain in the death of Rodney Riviello.” The search for the 69-year-old man, who went missing after walking out of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth, riveted the town for days. A related story was also popular with readers.
9. “Three families sue Plymouth pre-school, alleging a teacher mistreated children.” The school has denied the allegations. A state report found that it was “less than forthcoming” during an investigation.
10. “Suspect in Redbrook thefts built a business by selling everything from onesies to a Weber grill.” Investigators believe they solved the mysterious disappearance of packages from the South Plymouth development’s mailroom. The case is in court.
Mark Pothier can be reached at mark@plymouthindependent.org.