A Letter from the INDY’s New Editor-in-Chief

Dear readers,

For nearly 20 years, I’ve been an INDY reader like you. As a student at Carrboro High School, I would pick up a copy at Weaver Street Market during lunch and pore over each smooth page. The INDY was so bold in its voice, topics, and commitment to building a just community.

It also helped me to realize that writing and talking to strangers, two things that always came naturally to me, could be a career. I soon got to work with my friends launching a student newspaper. Cut to today, where I am writing to you as the INDY’s new editor-in-chief.

In the interim, I studied journalism at New York University and then moved back to North Carolina to be a reporter, and eventually managing editor, at The Robesonian in Lumberton. When I joined the INDY staff for the first time in 2017, it was a dream come true. For two-and-a-half years, I covered topics that mattered most to Durhamites, from evictions to immigration, with a special focus on criminal justice issues. For the past five years, I’ve been on the other side of media inquiries as director of public affairs and special projects at the Durham District Attorney’s Office. In that role, I informed the public about what prosecutors do and helped the office navigate shifts in technology and policy.

Frankly, I didn’t expect to return to journalism. But the opportunity to once again be a part of the INDY—particularly at a time when it’s poised for growth and reliable reporting is so important—was too incredible to pass up.

I’m honored to pick up the baton from Jane Porter, who has ably led the INDY amid a pandemic, its 40th anniversary, and launching a new partnership with The Assembly, and thrilled to work alongside all of the smart, compassionate, and ineffably cool INDY staff.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect from us going forward. 

You’ll continue to see the type of gutsy, off-beat, and in-depth reporting you’re used to. But you’ll also see that essential INDY voice translated into more daily updates on what’s new, what’s next, and what’s unique in the Triangle. We’ll be a go-to source for navigating life in our community—how your local government voted on a redevelopment project in your neighborhood, where to grab the best bite this weekend, and how national policies affect our local ones. 

You’ll see deeper coverage of Raleigh as it reckons with continued growth and new leadership as Jane takes over as Raleigh editor. And you’ll see more of us—at upcoming INDY and Assembly events, and just out in the community amping up coverage and looking for new ways to interact with readers.

We have big plans for 2025. You can help fuel the INDY’s growth—and get access to exclusive events and content—by supporting the Press Club. 

The INDY has always strived to be of the community and for the community. And with a larger newsroom staff, we’re in a strong position to deepen that commitment. To that end, we want to hear what matters to you—if you have a news tip, think there’s a topic that’s under-covered in the Triangle or simply want to share your feedback, reach out. Connect with me at [email protected]. I’m excited to see what’s next.

—Sarah Willets