Newspapers

COMMENTARY
Marion County Record reporter Phyllis Zorn and Sheriff Jeff Soyez stand outside the evidence room where an undersheriff signs over newspaper property to a forensic expert. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Kansas newspaper saga illustrates the balancing act of community news

BY: - August 26, 2023

One of my favorite newspaper mottos is “the only newspaper in the world that cares about (insert community name).” Over the years, I have seen various newspapers print it on their front-page nameplate. In many respects, the motto captures what a good newspaper is all about — publishing news and information about the community that […]

COMMENTARY
(Getty Images)

Gannett policies change the face of journalism in South Dakota

BY: - July 5, 2023

On June 5, journalists at two dozen newspapers across seven states went on strike for the day to show their disapproval of Gannett board chairman and chief executive officer Mike Reed. Journalists were protesting the state of their trade at the Gannett newspapers where they work. Their ability to do that work has gone downhill […]

COMMENTARY
(Getty Images)

Independent press at stake in debate over journalism legislation

BY: - June 29, 2023

Freedom and independence took center stage in the American colonies this summer 247 years ago when 56 brave men signed a document that would have all but meant their execution if arrested by King George’s army. Today, Americans share in the luxury of celebrating those ideals that help define our great nation. Speaking of independence, […]

The Brown County Courthouse is located in Aberdeen and is connected to other county offices, such as the Auditor's Office and the Brown County Jail. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

State offers portal for local governments to post public information, but few use it

BY: - April 30, 2023

Jackson County government officials don’t post public information on the internet. The rural western South Dakota county, which serves roughly 2,800 residents spread over 1,871 square miles, doesn’t have a website. And it doesn’t intend to, County Auditor Vicki Wilson said. “It takes more time than we have staff,” she said. State government offers a […]

The South Dakota Capitol building in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Attempt to change legal newspaper status fails in committee

BY: - February 1, 2023

PIERRE — An attempt to change the rules governing the definition of a legal newspaper was defeated Wednesday morning by the Senate Local Government Committee.  SB 80 would allow free distribution newspapers to publish public notices like local government minutes and bid notices if they had a minimum of 200 paid online subscribers and distributed […]

COMMENTARY
(Illustration by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Shining a new light on South Dakota

BY: - October 25, 2022

When I was in journalism school more than 20 years ago, a professor arranged a conference call for a group of students with a national magazine editor. I asked for career advice. The editor replied, “I’ll tell you one thing: I wouldn’t get a job at a newspaper.” That was probably not the answer my […]