I appreciate you taking some time out of your Sunday to read this. Our newsletter is the most personal and direct way to deliver the day’s news—no social media algorithms, no distractions, and no paywall (at least not for members).
This past week, I was a guest speaker at a small business roundtable in Haymarket. I was impressed by the turnout, made some great new connections, and spoke about the importance of keeping trusted local news alive in our communities. It also allowed me to reflect on my time growing up and delivering the old Potomac News into driveways in my Dale City neighborhood.
I also attended 1 Million Cups Prince William at CenterFuse in Manassas—a group I helped organize 12 years ago. This free, one-of-a-kind support group for entrepreneurs remains a great place to connect and learn. If you own a small business, I highly recommend checking it out.
A big shoutout to our courthouse reporter, Alan Gloss, for his diligent coverage of the Latoya Crabbe case. Last week, charges against Crabbe in the shooting death of her estranged husband were dropped, though new charges are expected soon. Gloss was there when Crabbe had an emotional reunion with her children—the first time she had seen them since last fall. It was our top-read story of the week.
Another of Gloss’s reports—the court ruling that ordered Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth’s office to pay a $22,000 fine for failing to respond to a public records request—was the second-most-read story.
Rounding out the top five most-read stories this week:
- Stafford County Public Schools welcome new leadership
- A 161-foot-tall sign installed at Fredericksburg’s Central Park
- A controversy involving the Belmont Bay HOA in Woodbridge
If you’re not a member, please consider joining for 100% access. It also ensures we can continue bringing you trusted local journalism—while saying goodbye to the paywall.
A warm welcome to our newest Potomac Local News members: Sophie from New York, Carlos from Manassas, Rebecca from Charlottesville, and Tara from Woodbridge! Thank you for joining our growing community of readers who support trusted, local journalism.
Your membership helps us deliver important news without distractions, paywalls, or social media interference. We’re grateful for your support and look forward to informing you about the stories that matter most to our region. Welcome aboard!
Do you want to tell us how we’re doing? Reply to this email or jump into our comments section on our website (which, for some reason, doesn’t get much use—so be bold and post your thoughts!).
Thank you for reading and for being part of our community.
Best,
Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News
Thank you for being a valued supporter of Potomac Local News. Your commitment to independent, local journalism allows us to continue reporting on the stories that matter most to our community.
This week, we delivered our members exclusive coverage of major local issues:
Is Stafford Changing the Rules for Data Centers?
Supervisors are considering new restrictions in industrial zones. What could this mean for future development? A public hearing is set for March 18.
Higher Taxes and Utility Bills in Manassas?
We were the first to report on the city’s proposed budget, which could raise property taxes and utility rates. How much more will residents pay? Key decisions are coming in March.
Secret HOA Meetings in Belmont Bay?
Woodbridge homeowners claim their HOA board held secret meetings about land deals, leading to a state complaint. What’s next for the community?
Dumfries a Mini National Harbor?Â
Town leaders envision a waterfront district to rival National Harbor. Could this project transform Dumfries? No timeline yet, but the vision is bold.
As small businesses continue shifting their advertising dollars to social media, your financial support of Potomac Local News is more critical than ever. Your membership directly funds the in-depth, fact-based reporting that informs our community.
If you haven’t already done so, please consider joining today. Your support makes all the difference.
Join us here: https://potomaclocal.memberful.com/join
Thank you for reading, supporting, and being part of local news that matters.
Best,
Uriah Kiser
Founder and Publisher
Potomac Local News
I will speak at the Haymarket Small Business Roundtable on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. This is a fantastic opportunity for local entrepreneurs, business owners, and community members to connect, share insights, and discuss the future of small businesses in our area.
Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities, providing jobs, unique products and services, and fostering economic growth. Here’s why strong local businesses matter:
- Boosting Economic Growth – Small businesses create two out of every three new jobs and keep money circulating within the local economy.
- Enhancing Education & Workforce Development – Local businesses support schools through mentorships, internships, and career opportunities, helping to improve high school graduation rates.
- Strengthening Community Ties – Small businesses sponsor local events, youth sports teams, and nonprofit initiatives, enhancing the quality of life for everyone.
-  Creating Vibrant, Walkable Communities – Thriving small businesses attract visitors, encourage foot traffic, and contribute to the character of the community.
As a small business entrepreneur who founded Potomac Local News, I understand the importance of providing local news coverage and affordable, targeted advertising solutions that cut through the noise and restrictive social media algorithms.
I invite you to join me and other local business leaders to share ideas, build connections, and learn how we can work together to strengthen our local economy. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth and success for Haymarket’s small businesses.
Event Details:
- Haymarket Small Business Roundtable
- Tuesday, February 25, 2025
- 9 a.m.
- Hilton Garden Inn, 15001 Washington St, Haymarket
I’m very focused on growing our newsletter because it is the most direct method of communicating with you. Unlike social media, no algorithms stop you from seeing your local news. What I send is what you see.
With that in mind, here’s a little unscientific analysis of the email newsletters sent on Feb. 17, 2024, and Feb. 17, 2025. While this is a snapshot of just two days, not an average, it’s still fun to compare.
Here goes, and thank you for your continued support:
Updated Email Performance Comparison: 2024 vs. 2025
1. Open Rate: Slight Decrease
2024: 30.6% (4,715 opened)
2025: 28.0% (5,178 opened)
While the open rate has decreased slightly (-2.6 percentage points), the total number of opens increased due to a larger recipient base.
2. Number of Recipients & Total Opens: Strong Growth
Successful Deliveries:
2024: 15,428
2025: 18,490 (+3,062 recipients, +20% increase)
Total Opens:
2024: 6,606
2025: 6,544 (slight decrease)
3. Click Rate & Engagement: Higher Clicks per Unique Open
Click Rate:
2024: 3.1% (473 clicked)
2025: 3.9% (725 clicked) (+53% increase in total clicks)
Clicks per Unique Open:
2024: 10.0%
2025: 14.0% (+40% increase)
This indicates that while slightly fewer people opened the email proportionally, those who did were more engaged and clicked more frequently.
4. Bounce Rate & Unsubscribes: Improved List Quality
Bounce Rate:
2024: 0.12% (19 bounced)
2025: 0.03% (6 bounced) (Improved)
Unsubscribe Rate:
2024: 0.01% (1 unsubscribed)
2025: 0.03% (6 unsubscribed)
The lower bounce rate suggests better email list hygiene, but unsubscribe rates slightly increased, likely due to the larger audience.
Key Insights & Actionable Steps
The list has grown by 20%, but engagement needs optimization.
Click-through engagement is significantly higher, meaning content resonates well.
The bounce rate improved, indicating better deliverability.
The slight open rate dip suggests a need for better subject lines or segmentation strategies.
Something exciting is happening in our community—people are talking about Potomac Local News! From breaking stories to in-depth local coverage, we’re delivering the news that keeps our region informed, and our readers are loving it.
Dr. Janet Gullickson, President, Germanna Community College
“I read your newsletter every day and am a subscribing member because I think you catch news in areas that really are not being covered by other outlets. So I compliment you.”
John Schaefer, Stafford
“I highly rate your content! I am impressed with how you have expanded! Well done!”
As more people turn to Potomac Local News for reliable, hyperlocal coverage, we’re making it even easier for you to stay informed with new membership plans:
- Prince William County & Manassas-area News
- Stafford County & Fredericksburg-area News
Why Readers Are Subscribing:
- 100% Access to Our Website & Newsletters – Never miss a story that impacts you.
- Exclusive Local Reporting – We cover what no one else does—government, schools, business, and more.
- The Best of Local Life – Discover top restaurants, entertainment, and events.
- Spotlight on Community Voices – Read inspiring stories about your neighbors.
- Support Local Businesses – Our ads feature businesses that help our community grow.
- Convenient & Worry-Free – One simple membership, no monthly hassle.
The conversation is growing—be part of it! Join today and stay connected with the news that has everyone talking.
Thank you,
Uriah Kiser
Found & Publisher
Potomac Local News
At Potomac Local News, we value our readers’ feedback. Recently, we surveyed to learn what you think about our email newsletter and the local news coverage we provide. Your responses helped us better understand what works, what could be improved, and what content you’d like to see more of.
High Satisfaction and Relevance
The majority of respondents rated their overall satisfaction with the newsletter highly, with an average score of 4.6 out of 5. Many of you appreciate the local coverage and the stories we feature daily. Readers also found the content highly relevant, with several respondents mentioning their preference for local political updates, community events, and coverage of notable figures in the area.
What You Enjoy Most
When asked about their favorite types of stories, readers highlighted:
- Local events and activities
- Political updates and government news
- Stories about small businesses and community leaders
- Coverage of Manassas Park and Stafford County
Some of you also expressed interest in more technology news, high school theater coverage, and updates on tax expenditures in Prince William County.
Newsletter Frequency – Just Right or Too Much?
We asked how you feel about receiving two newsletters per day. The responses were mixed:
- Most readers (about 60%) are happy with the current schedule.
- Some prefer receiving just one newsletter per day.
- A small number remain undecided.
Based on this feedback, we’ll continue monitoring engagement and make adjustments if necessary.
Reading Habits and Engagement
A strong majority of you—over 70%—read the newsletter every day. That tells us we’re providing valuable content that keeps you informed. However, when it comes to engaging with links and ads:
- Some readers frequently click on news stories within the newsletter.
- Others rarely click, preferring to skim the headlines.
- Event listings and community updates were among the most clicked-on content.
This insight helps us refine the way we present links, ensuring the most important stories stand out.
Design and Layout – Room for Improvement
While the content scored well, opinions on the newsletter’s design and layout were more varied. Some readers rated it highly, while others felt it could be improved. Several respondents mentioned they had no major issues, but a few suggested tweaks to make navigation smoother.
Your Suggestions for Improvement
Many readers were satisfied with the newsletter, with some saying it’s “Good as is!” However, a few areas of improvement emerged:
- More in-depth coverage of government spending and tax allocation.
- Increased coverage of technology and local high school theater programs.
- Clearer formatting and design improvements for readability.
What’s Next?
We’re taking your feedback seriously and will work on implementing the changes that matter most to you. You can expect:
- Continued coverage of local government, business, and community events.
- Possible adjustments to newsletter frequency based on engagement.
- Improvements to newsletter design and layout for a better reading experience.
- Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us!
- If you have additional feedback, please email us or post your suggestions online in the comments section. Your input helps us continue delivering the local news you care about.
Thanks for your continued support.
Uriah Kiser
Founder and Publisher
Potomac Local News
Big decisions and new initiatives are always unfolding around us—decisions that can leave us questioning the future and wondering how they will impact our community. But at Potomac Local News, we’re dedicated to showing you the way forward, helping you understand these changes and what they mean for the road ahead.
This week, we brought you exclusive stories that showcase how our community is evolving, from the cancelation of a major road project to the launch of new fundraising initiatives. Here’s how we’re showing you the way forward:
Prince William County’s $300 Million Route 28 Bypass Project is Dead
When the Board of County Supervisors voted to cancel the ambitious Route 28 Bypass project, many were left questioning the future of our region’s traffic management. We dug deep to explain why the project stalled and what solutions remain for relieving congestion on one of the area’s busiest roads. When these big decisions are made, we’re here to guide you through the following steps and help you understand what comes next.
Prince William County Board Debates $31.6 Million School Funding Transfer
A debate over the transfer of millions to local schools highlighted concerns about fiscal responsibility and the transparency of the county’s revenue-sharing model. Our report breaks down the conversation, showing you how these decisions affect your tax dollars and education funding. Understanding the financial decisions today ensures a clearer path for the future of our schools.
A Creative Surprise: Metro Nova Designs a New Fundraising Initiative
Metro Nova Creative is adding a new twist to fundraising with unique designs for local non-profits. In their first 2025 initiative, they’ve partnered with the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) to create exclusive designs for t-shirts, stickers, and merchandise. The proceeds from these sales will go directly to the nonprofit, helping them meet their needs. It’s a fresh approach to community support, showing us that creativity can spark positive change and forward momentum.
At Potomac Local News, our mission is to provide you with the full picture—the details that help us all see the way forward. Whether it’s canceled projects, budget debates, or creative community initiatives, we’re here to offer the clarity and context needed to understand how these changes shape our collective future.
Your support makes it possible for us to continue this important work. By becoming a paying member for only $9 a month, you ensure that we can keep providing the answers and explanations that help our community move forward.
Join today and stay informed about the local issues that matter. Together, we’ll show you the way forward.
Thank you for supporting local journalism.
Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News
We are pleased to announce that funeral home directors may now submit obituaries for publication on our website at no charge. This is part of our ongoing commitment to serving the community and providing essential resources to families during difficult times.
Funeral home directors are invited to fill out the submission form with all relevant information about the deceased. Each submission will be verified before publication to ensure accuracy.
This is a FREE community service that we are honored to offer.
Additionally, a photo of the deceased may be emailed to us.
Email Obituary Photo – Please include “Obituary Photo” and the deceased’s name in the subject line.
We will make every effort to publish each obituary promptly. Thank you for allowing us to help share the memories of your loved ones.
Please don’t forget to fill out our quick survey. We’ve got up to 64 survey responses so far. Please help us get to 75 and help us serve you better, and thank you.
