The New Glarus 360 introductory free period will end in one week, marking a shift from the launch model that allowed nearly all readers to access the entire site freely since January. After April 15, the publication will move to its regular membership structure, with limited access remaining free and broader coverage reserved for paying subscribers.

The change is a simple one: readers who have been enjoying full access during the introductory period will soon need to choose a paid plan if they want to continue reading most of the local reporting and added features from New Glarus 360.

There will still be a free plan which will continue to offer real value for readers who mainly want headlines, newsletters, announcements, public notices, public safety updates, and a lighter way to stay connected to what is happening in the community, but it will no longer include the same level of access readers have had during the launch period.

Why Is This Changing?

New Glarus 360 launched with a wide-open preview so the community could see what a stronger local news source might look like in real time. Since then, the publication has been covering local government, schools, sports, business, history, community life, and breaking news on a daily basis. The introductory period was designed to help readers get familiar with the publication. The next step is building something durable enough to keep going.

The idea behind the change is not just to charge for content. It is to support more reporting, more photographs, more sports coverage, more community features, and a more dependable local news source rooted in New Glarus and the surrounding area. That is the argument at the heart of the transition now approaching on April 15.

What Happens If I Do Nothing?

If you do nothing, your account will remain on the free tier. You will still be able to receive newsletters and continue seeing announcements, public notices, public safety-related news, and story previews. But broader access to local reporting and features will move behind the paid plans once the introductory period ends.

For casual readers, that may be enough. For those who read New Glarus 360 regularly, follow local developments closely, or want access to more of the publication’s day-to-day reporting, doing nothing will mean seeing less than you do now.

How Much Does It Cost?

The entry point is modest by design. Basic Access starts at $20 a year, which works out to about $1.67 a month. There is also a monthly option at $2 a month. That’s less than the price of most convenience-store snacks, and far below what many households spend each month on entertainment or other subscriptions.

For that price, subscribers are also helping support daily local news coverage in and around New Glarus rather than relying on an anemic once-a-week model or waiting for regional outlets to notice what is happening here. That difference is part of what New Glarus 360 is asking readers to consider as the free period comes to a close.

What Do Paid Subscribers Get?

Paid access is meant for readers who want more than occasional headlines. The Basic plan opens the door to broader local reporting. Higher tiers add more for readers who want sports coverage, heritage content, photo galleries, archives, and other additional benefits.

In other words, a subscription is not just about unlocking stories. It is also a vote for more ambitious local coverage over time. Readers who subscribe are helping fund the kind of publication that can keep showing up for school events, board meetings, breaking news, community features, and the smaller stories that often matter most in a town this size.

How Do I Keep My Access?

The decision point is April 15. Readers who want to continue getting broader access should log into their account and choose the plan that fits them best before that date. The free tier will still exist, but anyone who wants a fuller New Glarus 360 experience will need to move to a paid subscription.

For many readers, the choice may come down to one practical question: Is regular, close-to-home reporting worth about $1.67 a month? We feel New Glarus 360 has clearly made the case that it is. After six months of providing free news, the publication is now asking regular readers to help carry the next phase.

The Bottom Line for Readers

This is the final week of broad free access. After April 15, free members will still get a lighter version of New Glarus 360, while paid subscribers will receive broader access to the reporting and features the publication has been building since launch. The pricing starts low, the decision is straightforward, and the message is clear: if you want more local news, more often, this is the moment to lock it in.

– If you value strong local journalism in New Glarus, now is the time to subscribe and help support more coverage, more often.

– Licensed stock photo