A Fond Farewell from the City-County Observer

MARILYN AND RONALD COSBY

APRIL 2, 2025

After more than two decades of relentless dedication, community engagement, and passionate pursuit of truth, it is with both sadness and gratitude that we, Ron and Marilyn Cosby, announce the closing of the Tri-State’s True Watchdog, the City-County Observer. For 23 years, we have worked side-by-side with our contributors and loyal readers to publish independent news and opinions with a mission to inform, challenge, and empower.

This decision does not come easily. Ron suffered a traumatic brain injury from a serious fall last year and has been under expert care at Vanderbilt and in rehabilitation centers ever since. While his recovery is progressing slowly and we remain hopeful, his health and well-being must now be our top priority. At the same time, the rising costs of operating the publication—equipment, digital infrastructure, and overhead—have made it increasingly difficult to maintain the high standards we set from the very beginning.

We want to say thank you—to our readers, our contributors, and to those who believed in the importance of independent local journalism. The CCO has been more than just a publication; it has been a community of watchdogs, thinkers, doers, and truth-seekers. Together, we made a difference.

Looking back, some of our proudest moments came from digging into stories others were too timid to touch. With the support of brave contributors and whistleblowers, we exposed public waste, challenged backroom deals, and held public officials accountable. We take pride in the impact we made, and none of it would have been possible without you.

Who could forget when we pulled back the curtain on the extravagant spending habits of the Evansville Convention and Visitors  Bureau—highlighting their taxpayer-funded indulgence in Opus One wine and luxury dining, which we dubbed “The Bacchanalian Fest”? That series sparked resignations and reform. Or the time we uncovered the truth behind the so-called Earthcare Energy project—an alleged economic win that turned out to be little more than vaporware. Our reporting revealed a lack of basic due diligence, saving the city from even greater embarrassment and financial loss.

We stood up to utilities like Vectren, spotlighting their attempt to charge ratepayers for unauthorized projects—like dense pack technology—before they got regulatory approval. And we never let up on pointing out the disconnect between the city’s obsession with tourism and the crumbling infrastructure, drug-laced public parks, and raw sewage problems that desperately needed attention.

We were loud. We were funny. We were relentless. And in our own way, we were effective. We estimate that the work of the City-County Observer saved taxpayers tens of millions of dollars—maybe even more. Whether it was shining a light on secret meetings that threatened the Homestead Tax Credit or calling for sensible policies in an often nonsensical political environment, we did it with passion and purpose.

Ron loved this work. He believed deeply in the power of journalism to protect the public interest and was never afraid to ruffle feathers if it meant doing the right thing. His “Is It True?” column—sharp, witty, and fearless—became a must-read across the region. And through it all, he never stopped advocating for good government and honest leadership.

To those who supported us, thank you for the privilege of being part of your daily lives. You made the CCO a success story rooted in conviction and community. To our contributors, thank you for lending your voices to a cause that matters. And to Ron—my husband, my partner, my best friend—thank you for leading with courage and vision.

As we close this chapter, we are not saying goodbye to the values that built the CCO. We are simply turning the page. Our hearts are full, and our gratitude is immeasurable.

Of course, there are many columns and exposés that we decided at the time they were written, not to publish. We do expect to consider a book with unpublished columns and some of our best memories at a later date.

With love and appreciation, Peace Out!
Ron and Marilyn Cosby