Last week, four South Dakota communities lost their local news source with no warning.
Employees at the Huron Plainsman, Redfield Press, Brookings Register, and Moody County Enterprise in Flandreau learned last Wednesday that operations would cease immediately, leaving more than 40,000 South Dakotans without a hometown paper.
In a letter to staff, Illinois-based parent company News Media Corp. wrote, “The decision was not made lightly. Over the past months and years, we have explored every possible avenue to sustain our operations and preserve our team.” The letter said an attempted sale failed, leaving the company in a financial position “where continuing business is no longer feasible.”
South Dakota NewsMedia Association Executive Director David Bordewyk called the closures “a gut punch for community journalism in our state.” He added, “My thoughts are with the employees and their families…Their livelihoods have been upended in a matter of hours and they all need our support now. My hope is that solutions can be found quickly in the affected communities and local journalism can be restored and maintained.”
I share Bordewyk’s sentiment. The sudden loss of these four newspapers is devastating for community journalism in South Dakota.
I’ve spoken with Benjamin Chase, former managing editor of the Plainsman, as well as community leaders in Huron. I am happy to report that they are determined to restore local news in the region, which the Plainsman has served for 140 years.
“Honestly, it’s been overwhelming to see the response from the community and the news business across the state,” Chase said via text.
The newspaper closures have prompted plenty of questions among readers in True Dakotan’s coverage area and our subscribers across the state and nation, which I will address below.
Is the True Dakotan at risk of sudden closure?
No. The True Dakotan is independent and 100% locally owned. We plan on continuing our dedication to vibrant, hyper-local community journalism today and well into the future.
That being said, The True Dakotan is not immune to the many challenges faced by newspapers.
What are the challenges in the newspaper industry?
It’s no secret that not only the True Dakotan but the newspaper industry as a whole has been facing a barrage of challenges in recent years. One-third of the newspapers that existed 20 years ago in the United States are gone, vanishing at a rate of more than two a week. Most of the 6,000 surviving newspapers today get by with slim profit margins in the single digits.
Declining print advertising revenue and shifting reader habits have been major disrupters. The reality of news access on social media cannot be denied. According to data from the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025, just 27% of the U.S. was obtaining news from social media in 2013, compared to 47% from print. In 2025, social media usage doubled to 54% and print usage decreased to 14%.
As recent as last month, the United States Postal Service (USPS) delivered another blow to the newspaper industry with a 9% increase. Those mailing with a periodicals permit, such as newspapers, have faced a whopping 60% increase over the past three and a half years with additional increases coming, at least twice a year for the foreseeable future, according to USPS officials.
Why do we continue to print and mail?
Although we continue to grow our e-edition and e-newsletter subscriber base, many of you have shared with me that you still enjoy getting a printed paper delivered to your home or business.
Right now I often describe the newspaper business as straddling the two worlds of print and digital. We need to carve a path to sustainability while facing increased expenses for the print product and at the same time, invest in technologies that further enhance our digital offerings for readers.
How can readers help?
• If you enjoy the local coverage in the True Dakotan, subscribe to our print and/or e-edition.
• If you have a business, purchase an ad. We have many options and opportunities to fit any budget.
• If you need printing, photography or design services, give us a call. We’d love to quote your project.
• Show your South Dakota spirit and support local journalism with True Dakotan merch. We have super-soft t-shirts in lots of bright colors, as well as True Dakotan tumblers, cups and pilsners.
• Not sure about making a purchase? Sign up for our free e-newsletter.
• All of the above can be found by visiting www. truedakotan.com, calling 605-539-1281 or emailing kristi@truedakotan.com.
• We are still on Main Street in Wessington Springs and would love to see you in person!
As always, thank you for your readership, advertising placements, purchases of services we offer and overall resounding support. We feel blessed to serve our communities and look forward to reporting your local news for many years to come.