Wyoming and South Dakota Newspapers Saved from Shutting Down by New Buyers

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – In an encouraging turn of events, a dozen newspapers that had recently ceased operations across Wyoming and South Dakota are set to start publishing once more. This development comes after buyers quickly intervened to ensure these rural areas wouldn’t turn into “news deserts” where local news outlets are scarce.

These rapid rescues are significant in an industry where almost two and a half newspapers shut down each week, according to a 2024 study from the Medill School of Journalism. An editor from one of the newspapers that was saved noted that the new owner recognized potential for continued profit, while other publications are being taken over by publishers who feel a strong sense of responsibility to their communities.

“It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest,” said Kayla Jessen, general manager of the Redfield Press, in South Dakota, one of the newspapers receiving a second chance. “We’re thrilled to be able to deliver news to the community once again.”

These changes came about with remarkable speed. On August 6, Illinois-based News Media Corporation declared the immediate shutdown of 31 outlets in five states due to financial issues. In under two weeks, a Wyoming publishing group committed to acquiring eight newspapers in the state, and a North Carolina firm decided to purchase four in South Dakota. Both organizations have pledged to offer all previous staff members the opportunity to return.

The fate of other papers in Arizona, Illinois and Nebraska remains unclear.

Following these closures, both journalists and local residents hastily worked on solutions to revive the newspapers. Besides providing regional news, many of these papers serve as the official platform for legal notices in their towns.

Rural regions frequently lack local radio or television stations, noted Benjy Hamm, director at the University of Kentucky’s Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues. This often leaves a single newspaper as the sole media resource available.

“If it goes out, it has a significant impact on the community itself, not just the media,” Hamm said.

The publishers in Wyoming said they stepped in because they couldn’t imagine more newspapers going dark in their state.

“We believe in the importance of a newspaper in a community,” said Jen Hicks, co-publisher the Buffalo Bulletin. “We know that in communities without newspapers, that civic engagement goes down and specifically, voter participation goes down, which is a really tangible way to see the decline in civic life.”

Jen and her husband Robb Hicks said they teamed up with Rob Mortimore, president of Wyoming Papers, Inc., to enter into a purchase agreement with News Media Corporation for its eight publications in the state. Hicks declined to share how much they’ll pay for the newspapers.

In South Dakota, Benjamin Chase, managing editor of the rescued Huron Plainsman, said nearly a dozen offers came in to purchase one, two or all four of the closed newspapers. Champion Media, the North Carolina-based company, ultimately struck the deal.

“This was really an ideal situation because Champion works a lot with community and local papers,” the editor said, adding that every staff member was invited back.

Champion Media did not return requests for comment.

Chase credits buyers’ interest to the fact that the South Dakota papers have significant readership, with a combined circulation of around 10,000. The Brookings Register covers a town of nearly 25,000 people that lost its radio station last year but is home to the largest university in the state.

“This is a group of papers you’re going to immediately have audience for, and all of them are profitable and working to keep costs down,” Chase said. The Huron Plainsman and Brookings Register, which were previously dailies, will now have a print edition only two days a week.

Hamm, the professor, said it’s rare to find such speedy commitment to reviving newspapers. “It occurs, but it’s a small number of places that actually have people step forward,” he said.

Chris Kline, president of the Arizona News Media Association, said the Arizona papers are currently exploring options for local and out-of-state ownership.