The context of islands Pasquines covered in 2025—and why it mattered
In 2025, Pasquines continued its mission to provide consistent, independent reporting from and about the United States territories—places that remain undercovered despite being home to more than three million United States citizens and nationals.
Throughout the year, our reporting focused on how federal policy, elections, culture, and public services shape daily life in Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. These stories were not isolated developments. They reflected broader national decisions and debates that too often exclude territorial perspectives.
One major focus was democracy and civic participation. Pasquines reported on confusion and legal risks faced by American Samoans voting while living in Alaska, highlighting how gaps in knowledge about the territories have serious consequences. In the Northern Mariana Islands, we covered the death of the territory’s incumbent governor, a story no national outlet reported on, underscoring how little attention is paid to these islands on the national level.
Our coverage also addressed health care and public services. Reporting on meetings between United States Virgin Islands officials and federal officials explored potential impacts of federal policy on healthcare and the economy. In Guam, we covered the mixed reception surrounding high-profile visits by national political figures, situating them within ongoing conversations about militarization, representation, and local agency.
Culture was another key entry point for understanding structural issues. Coverage of Bad Bunny’s residency in Puerto Rico went beyond record-breaking numbers to examine economic impact, tourism, and questions of who benefits when global attention turns to the islands.
In addition to reporting, Pasquines worked to expand its reach and sustainability. We collaborated with partners and contributors, experimented with new formats like podcasts, and engaged new audiences—including through a NewsMatch campaign that brought national attention to the importance of territorial journalism. Support from readers, donors, and amplifiers, including public figures like Lydia Gonzalez of Love Is Blind, helped elevate conversations about why the territories should not be treated as an afterthought.
Last year, we aimed to expand our coverage to include deeper analysis, introduce a storytelling series that follows individuals from each territory, explore the economic dynamics of how companies treat the territories differently, create newsletters dedicated to deeper investigative journalism, and launch a new platform enabling unprecedented civic engagement, facilitating the daily lives of our readers. We are proud to say all projects are well underway, with 2026 providing new opportunities to expand our polling and election coverage, enhance our internship program, and further integrate trusted, solutions journalism.
Pasquines remains committed to providing context, accountability, and continuity. Looking forward, we’re preparing for a year of new challenges, but also tremendous opportunities to do right by the communities we cover, with exciting new projects in the works. Covering the territories consistently is not a special project or an occasional beat. It is essential journalism, and we will continue this work into the year ahead, publishing the context of islands.
