Posted on Jul 22, 2023
'It's really a crisis': why small towns are fighting to save their local newspapers
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With a stack of fresh newspapers in hand, Ken Stern is making one of his first stops of the day at La Conner's local office supply and business center.
He greets the owners, Christina and Robyn Burdick-Good-Rubenstein – and their dog Clover. Stern knows exactly what they want, as the chanting begins: "Crossword day! Crossword day!"
Stern is publisher and editor of the La Conner Weekly News. He doesn't always deliver papers himself, but today he's playing tour guide while he restocks local shops and newspaper boxes scattered across the two main streets of town. The small fishing community turned tourist destination is home to less than a thousand people – there isn't a traffic light anywhere in La Conner.
At 68 years old, Stern is ready to retire. But first, he has to sell the newspaper to a new publisher. Stern compares it to trying to sell a buggy whip factory.
"It's very hard in 2023 to sell a buggy whip factory, no matter how high quality my buggy whips are, there's not much demand," he said.
He greets the owners, Christina and Robyn Burdick-Good-Rubenstein – and their dog Clover. Stern knows exactly what they want, as the chanting begins: "Crossword day! Crossword day!"
Stern is publisher and editor of the La Conner Weekly News. He doesn't always deliver papers himself, but today he's playing tour guide while he restocks local shops and newspaper boxes scattered across the two main streets of town. The small fishing community turned tourist destination is home to less than a thousand people – there isn't a traffic light anywhere in La Conner.
At 68 years old, Stern is ready to retire. But first, he has to sell the newspaper to a new publisher. Stern compares it to trying to sell a buggy whip factory.
"It's very hard in 2023 to sell a buggy whip factory, no matter how high quality my buggy whips are, there's not much demand," he said.
'It's really a crisis': why small towns are fighting to save their local newspapers
Posted from kuow.org
Newspapers
Media
Reading
Posted 10 mo ago
Responses: 4
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel about the only place you can find newspapers in print around here is the library. My little town mails one about the events in my small town.,
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I get the local paper, it comes out once a week. It also kicks out news in between in an email. I like the paper since it does a credible job of reporting the local news and what goes on at the city and county board meetings. Also a credible crossword.
If it cost less I would like it even more.
If it cost less I would like it even more.
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Maj Robert Thornton we use to have a daily A.M. "Courier" and P.M. "Press" & a Sunday edition many years ago. Both merged & the A.M. "Courier & Press" is still available daily as well as the Sunday. We also had a local weekly edition that included information about local events, clubs, etc.
The C&P were primarily printing what they pulled from AP & other sources... & we were only reading the Obituaries... so we stopped. My wife still sees the Obituaries on her cell & tells me of any that we know.
Cartoonists are struggling as well due to the papers demise.
Thanks for your comments... I know our political views differ & that's Ok... but you have always been civil in your responses & hopefully I have responded likewise to you.
The C&P were primarily printing what they pulled from AP & other sources... & we were only reading the Obituaries... so we stopped. My wife still sees the Obituaries on her cell & tells me of any that we know.
Cartoonists are struggling as well due to the papers demise.
Thanks for your comments... I know our political views differ & that's Ok... but you have always been civil in your responses & hopefully I have responded likewise to you.
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