GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (AUGUST 21, 2025)–My journey in the newspaper industry began in 1968 when I took on part-time roles at our family’s publications, The Gloucester City News and The Camden County Record. During this time, I also worked at the U.S. Post Office as a letter carrier, delivering mail to residents in Gloucester City, Bellmawr, and Brooklawn.
In 1978, I made the significant decision to leave my position at the post office to fully immerse myself in journalism as the editor of both newspapers. This opportunity allowed me to shape the voice and direction of the publications, connecting with local readers and covering important stories in our community.
By 1984, after years of dedication and hard work, Connie and I accomplished a major milestone by purchasing The Gloucester City News. This acquisition marked a new chapter for us, as we took on the responsibility of not just reporting the news but also ensuring the newspaper thrived as a vital source of information for our town.
On August 3, 2006 we launched Clearys Notebook. As CNBNews embarks on its remarkable 20th year of delivering news to the communities of South Jersey and Philadelphia, we find ourselves reflecting on the profound evolution that journalism has undergone over the past two decades.
Throughout our 58 years of reporting, we have been witnesses to a revolution in the way news is gathered and shared. We have journeyed from the rhythmic clatter of manual typewriters to the smooth hum of electric ones, and from the era of Justiwriters to the sophisticated realm of computers—each shift marking a significant chapter in our storytelling legacy.
The emergence of smartphones, the explosive growth of the internet, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media have dramatically reshaped our communication landscape. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, X, Instagram, and a plethora of podcasts have transformed the way we connect, learn, and entertain ourselves. In this digital age, anyone with a device can step into the role of a publisher, leading to a wave of closures that has swept across countless newspapers, both weekly and daily, around the globe.
Today, we turn to AI for an analysis of Cleary’s Notebook. We are captivated by the insights and accuracy of its findings, highlighting yet another way technology and innovation enrich our journalistic pursuits.