We need your help to keep telling stories.

We’ve witnessed the coronavirus pandemic absorb our lives over the last six weeks. Coronavirus has taken jobs, lives, safety, health and more from communities worldwide. And we’re here to document it all.

We’re here to keep elected officials accountable as they issue orders and release data. We tell stories about the bus drivers and cafeteria workers that choose to put their own safety at risk to keep students fed. We talk with small business owners about the unique struggles they face, and report resources to help those that are out of work.

We’ve published hundreds of stories over the past month about this pandemic and its effects in the Chattahoochee Valley. The Ledger-Enquirer is invested in the greater Columbus area, working longer hours than ever and pushing themselves every day to tell the impactful stories our communities need and deserve.

There’s the data-driven accountability story produced by reporter Nick Wooten that took a hard look at whether or not current data supports Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to start reopening Georgia.

And a breakdown from Allie Dean about how much money the city, and some of its local businesses, may lose because of the pandemic.

Visual journalist Mike Haskey is out in the community searching for powerful stories like a Columbus couple reunited by a “Parade of Love” or a MercyMed farmer delivering fresh, free produce via bicycle to food insecure families.

And Tim Chitwood wrote a longform feature out of East Alabama reflecting the concern business owners, law enforcement and medical professionals have about becoming another “hot spot.”

Think of the stories we could report with even more support from readers.

Our business isn’t immune to the struggles coronavirus has presented. Newsrooms have announced layoffs, furloughs, reduced print days and pay cuts. The Ledger-Enquirer is fortunate that these harms have not touched our staff, and we’re working hard every day to hold the line.

If you see value in the local journalism we’re already doing, and will continue doing long after this pandemic is over, consider helping us bridge this gap and contribute to our Coronavirus Reporting Fund.

We know this pandemic will affect our lives in the months (and possibly years) ahead. Help us sustain the strong local journalism needed to tell those stories.

The Ledger-Enquirer Coronavirus Reporting Fund - COVID-19 Local News Fund is a program administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association. LMF is raising funds for educational activities; specifically, to educate the public on COVID-19 issues. LMF is providing funds to this news organization and many others to support this important educational project. All money raised by this effort will go directly to support COVID-19 reporting, to make sure the public has essential facts on this important topic.

The Ledger-Enquirer Coronavirus Reporting Fund - COVID-19 Local News Fund

By COVID-19 Local News Fund (via Local Media Foundation)

The Ledger-Enquirer Coronavirus Reporting Fund - COVID-19 Local News Fund

Give to support The Ledger-Enquirer Coronavirus Reporting Fund as we cover the coronavirus crisis in our communities.