A dozen newspapers in Wyoming and South Dakota that recently closed will resume publication after buyers acquired them within days. Illinois-based News Media Corporation closed 31 outlets across five states on Aug. 6 because of financial problems, prompting quick purchases. A Wyoming publishing group agreed to buy eight state papers and a North Carolina company agreed to buy four South Dakota papers, with both buyers offering staff the chance to return. Some purchasers cited ongoing profitability or civic duty as motivations. Many rural papers serve as the only local media source and official outlets for legal notices. The status of other closed papers in Arizona, Illinois and Nebraska remains unclear.
A dozen recently shuttered newspapers across Wyoming and South Dakota are set to publish again, after buyers stepped up within days to prevent the rural communities from becoming "news deserts" where little or no local media remains. The swift rescues stand out in an industry where roughly two and a half newspapers disappear each week, according to a 2024 report from the Medill School of Journalism.
The turnarounds happened quickly. Illinois-based News Media Corporation announced on Aug. 6 it was immediately closing 31 outlets in five states because of financial problems. In less than two weeks, a publishing group in Wyoming said it would buy eight papers in the state, while a company in North Carolina said it would purchase four newspapers in South Dakota. Both buyers say all staff will be offered a chance to return.
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