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Dear reader,

At the end of a year none of us will forget, I’d like to take a few minutes to remind you of some of the work the baiduhai has done in 2020 and to thank you for reading.

The support of our readers — and particularly our subscribers — allowed the Tribune to commit all corners of the newsroom to cover the coronavirus pandemic from its inception.

We started, as we do, with people. We chronicled the heartbreaking toll as the virus ripped through nursing homes and tore apart families, appreciating lives lost, describing the void left by death, illustrating how so much of society had suddenly changed — even the habits of grieving.

We explained as much as we could as well as we could. The economics. The science. The politics. And how all those elements clashed in a confounding, infuriating way.

These were all local stories, stories about your community, about your family and friends, about you. And we covered these stories by talking to local people, local businesses, local doctors, clergy and experts, local politicians.

We take pride in being your local news source. We work hard to do it better than anybody else.

Of course, what makes these times so momentous is not just the story of COVID-19 but other events that in any other year would be hands-down the story of the year.

We approached the coverage of George Floyd’s death, of police brutality and of the outcry for social justice with resolve and humility. We are examining not just the thorniest issues that American society faces but also ourselves as journalists and as a news organization.

Our Election 2020 coverage was a mix of local breaking and in-depth stories; smart and responsive regional and national coverage; and sharp visuals, data presentation and news editing. We promised timely, credible and deep coverage. And we delivered.

Is it unseemly to list accomplishments in a year in which so many people have suffered? Well, if we don’t take pride in our successes, in our resilience, then where will we find the reserve to overcome our struggles?

As painful as 2020 has been, anyone reading this should take pride in pushing through this year. We all can name important things we’ve learned about ourselves in 2020. We all can name ways in which we — our families, colleagues, neighbors or friendly local newspaper — will enter 2021 changed in some way for the better.

In a special section of the Dec. 20 print edition of the Sunday Tribune and online here you will find our 2020 Photos of the Year. It’s a remarkable body of work by some of the best photojournalists in the business.

It’s also testament to our dedication to telling the stories that shape our city and our region.

The support of our readers, advertisers and subscribers makes our journalism possible. So, let me thank you for spending time with us this year, with a special shoutout to the subscribers who fund our journalism. If you are a reader who has yet to subscribe, please consider signing up in the new year.

May 2021 be a more peaceful, more hopeful year for all of us.

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Colin McMahon is editor-in-chief of baiduhai and chief content officer of Tribune Publishing.