Wyoming South Dakota Newspapers Rescued From Closure by New Buyers

A dozen recently shuttered local newspapers across Wyoming and South Dakota are set to resume publication following rapid intervention by new buyers, preventing these rural areas from turning into news deserts [1]. The newspapers, which serve as the primary source of local news and legal notices in their communities, had been abruptly closed in late July by Illinois-based News Media Corporation, which cited financial difficulties [3]. In less than two weeks, a publishing group in Wyoming announced the purchase of eight of the papers, while a company in North Carolina acquired four in South Dakota [3].

Both groups have committed to rehiring all staff, ensuring the continuity of local journalism [3]. The Wyoming publishers, including Jen and Robb Hicks, emphasized their motivation was driven by a desire to prevent further news deserts in the state. They highlighted the critical role newspapers play in sustaining civic engagement, noting that communities without local news tend to experience declining voter participation and community involvement [3].

In South Dakota, nearly a dozen offers came in to purchase the closed newspapers, with Champion Media ultimately securing the deal [3]. Benjamin Chase, managing editor of the Huron Plainsman, attributed the interest to the papers’ established audience base, with a combined circulation of around 10,000 [2]. This substantial readership and the profitability of the publications made them attractive assets [3].

The revival of these newspapers is a rare but significant event in an industry that has been losing nearly two and a half newspapers each week, according to the Medill School of Journalism’s 2024 report [3]. Benjy Hamm, director at the University of Kentucky’s Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, noted that the absence of local media can profoundly impact a community’s social fabric [3]. The fact that all staff were rehired and that the publications were revived quickly underscores the growing recognition of the importance of local news in maintaining informed and engaged communities.

This development in Wyoming and South Dakota offers a model for other struggling local newspapers. While the futures of some papers in Arizona, Illinois, and Nebraska remain uncertain, the successful rescues demonstrate that viable solutions exist when there is both audience support and a commitment to local journalism [3].

Sources:

[1] ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/newspapers-rescued-closure-wyoming-south-dakota-buyers-swoop-124793518

[2] The Associated Press via Fortune, https://fortune.com/author/associated-press/

[3] newspressnow.com, https://www.newspressnow.com/news/2025/08/19/newspapers-are-rescued-from-closure-in-wyoming-and-south-dakota-as-buyers-swoop-in/