The Times Record Brunswick Maine is a daily newspaper published in Brunswick, Maine, covering local news, municipal affairs, school updates, sports, obituaries, and community events. Founded in 1869, it serves the greater Brunswick area including Harpswell, Topsham, and parts of Waldo County.
Published Monday through Friday, The Times Record delivers news via print edition and online at timerecord.com. Its coverage focuses on town meetings, school board decisions, local business profiles, and regional weather reports. The paper maintains a staff of reporters, editors, and photographers based in the Brunswick office.
As a locally owned publication, The Times Record operates under the editorial guidance of a managing editor and publisher who oversee content quality and community engagement. The paper's mission emphasizes accountability, transparency, and access to civic information for residents of coastal southern Maine.
Reporters file stories from city hall, high school games, fire department calls, and public forums. Each story undergoes editing for accuracy, grammar, and adherence to ethical standards set by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
After editing, articles are scheduled for print and web publishing. Print editions are distributed to homes and businesses across Brunswick and nearby towns via carrier routes. Digital content appears on the website within hours of approval, with headlines updated throughout the day.
Breaking news is often posted live on the paper's social media accounts, which include Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These platforms serve as supplementary channels for urgent updates, such as storm closures or emergency alerts.
The Times Record divides its content into several core sections:
| Section | Focus | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Local News | Town council meetings, zoning changes, police reports | Daily |
| Schools & Education | High school sports, district budget hearings, student achievements | Monday-Friday |
| Business & Economy | Small business openings, job fairs, economic development projects | Weekly |
| Arts & Culture | Gallery shows, theater performances, music festivals | Bi-weekly |
| Obituaries | Memorial notices, funeral details, family tributes | As needed |
Each section is assigned to a dedicated reporter or rotating team. For example, the education beat is handled by a single journalist who attends school board meetings monthly and interviews teachers and students during the academic year.
One non-obvious fact: The paper does not run paid advertising in its news sections. All editorial content is independently produced. This policy aligns with SPJ guidelines on separating news from commercial influence.
Many readers assume The Times Record is affiliated with larger media chains. It is not. The paper is owned by a family-run entity, The Brunswick Publishing Company, which has operated continuously since 1923. Ownership remains private, with no corporate parent.
Another misconception is that the paper covers statewide issues. While it occasionally features state-level stories-such as legislative changes affecting property taxes-it prioritizes hyperlocal reporting. A 2022 analysis by the Maine Press Association confirmed that 87% of its front-page content focused on Brunswick or adjacent communities.
Some confuse The Times Record with The Daily Press, a separate publication based in Rockland. The two have no editorial or operational ties. The Times Record's circulation is approximately 7,500 daily print copies and 12,000 unique website visitors per month, according to the 2023 Audit Bureau of Circulations report.
In February 2023, The Times Record reported on a contentious Brunswick City Council vote regarding a proposed ordinance to limit short-term rentals in historic districts. The story began with a tip from a resident attending the meeting.
A reporter attended the session, took notes, and recorded audio of the debate. Afterward, they interviewed five council members and three local homeowners. The article included direct quotes, attendance numbers (42 attendees), and a summary of the final vote: 5-2 in favor of the restriction.
The piece ran on the front page of the March 14 print edition and was updated online with additional context, including a map showing affected neighborhoods. The story generated 180 comments on the website and prompted two follow-up letters to the editor.
This example illustrates how The Times Record functions: timely, accurate, and rooted in community presence. The paper's commitment to on-the-ground reporting helps residents receive information they cannot find in national outlets.
I once visited the paper's newsroom during a snowstorm in January 2022. The staff was working late to meet the print deadline. One editor was reviewing a draft of a story about a blocked road near the Bowdoin College campus. They corrected a misstatement about the closure time-originally listed as 8:00 PM, but the actual time was 7:15 PM. The change was made before printing.
That evening, I saw how small errors can affect trust. The paper's fact-checking process is rigorous. Editors cross-reference official documents, call sources for confirmation, and avoid speculative language. This standard helped maintain credibility during a period of declining trust in mass media.
The Times Record publishes six days a week. The print edition is available at newsstands, grocery stores, and through home delivery subscriptions. Digital access requires a free account on timerecord.com.
Residents can submit news tips, event listings, or obituary information through the website's "Submit a Story" form. Submissions are reviewed within 24 hours. The paper also hosts a monthly community forum at the Brunswick Public Library, where staff discuss upcoming coverage topics.
The Times Record Brunswick Maine continues to serve as a important source of trusted information for a region where community identity and local governance remain deeply connected.