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The real tragedy of losing NIE all over the nation is four generations of students (over the past 20 years since NIE dissolved) didn't experience the free press. They didn't read articles written by professional reporters covering local government as "watchdogs." Now we have youth disinterested in how government should work at all levels and believing false reports and bald-faced lies. Local newspapers in the classroom, either print or digital, are exciting to students, especially disconnected youth in alternative high school programs, ESL (English as a Second Language learners), and future leaders because they discover their community in the reports. I retired from NIE in 2005 after managing the program at three newspapers in different parts of the country. Everywhere I went, teachers (especially social studies teachers) loved the excitement local newspapers brought to their often-disconnected students. NIE managers provided lesson plans for all subject areas and grade levels (even as early as first grade) and gave training lessons to teachers who attended on their own time. Even low or slow readers got involved because the content was about their own community. The loss of NIE has contributed to the loss of reading and civic engagement in our youth.