“Good Morning America” came to Albert Lea today for the third time.

In connection with the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project, our fair city has been featured shows such as “Nightline,” newspapers such as USA Today, magazines such as AARP The Magazine and let’s not forget WCCO radio and The Associated Press. These are just a few of the regional and national media outlets placing Albert Lea in the spotlight.

That’s great.

But we challenge all of these journalists to not let today or this summer be the end of the their coverage. There is going to be more to the story of Albert Lea and this project.

Come back in a few years, too. Do follow-up stories. Did this Vitality Project have a lasting effect?

We hope it does. And we hope your wide audiences inspire other cities to interact with their citizens to encourage healthy interaction, to encourage simple changes and to encourage health-conscious environments. It all starts with a city’s leaders. They have to want a healthy city.

And hearing the message about Albert Lea — particularly in years to come — will be key.