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Study launching on future of local news in North Dakota

The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) has launched the "Future of Local News Initiative" to prevent further erosion of local news coverage. The initiative seeks to understand the challenges newspapers face and prevent the expansion of news deserts and "ghost newspapers" in areas which lack reporting. 

"Local newspapers are essential to fostering informed communities and critical to the well-being of the community," says RDFC Executive Director Ellen Huber. "This effort aligns with RDFC's mission to support economic diversification and community vitality."

RDFC staff will assist the North Dakota Newspaper Association (NDNA) in using research findings to guide industry transformation. The goal is to retain local news sources and evolve the newspaper system to better meet reader and community needs. 

Steering committee to guide research, provide insights

A steering committee will help identify issues faced by newspaper businesses and shape research and recommendations, culminating in a report outlining strategies for strengthening local news delivery. 

Project research will include:

  • Surveying newspaper publishers on business health, succession planning, ownership transitions, coverage challenges and interest in resource-sharing models.
  • Examining reader and community needs, news consumptions habits and potential innovations in newspaper delivery.

The Future of Local News Initiative Steering Committee met for the first time on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives headquarters in Mandan. The committee will convene several meetings this year before finalizing recommendations in the fall. 

Committee members include:

  • Amy Dalrymple, editor-in-chief, North Dakota Monitor
  • Lauren Donovan, retired journalist
  • Jill Friesz, owner, GS Publishing, publisher of eight weekly newspapers in southwestern North Dakota
  • Rob Keller, co-founder, N.D. Public Information Officer Association
  • Mike Mabin, president/CEO, Agency MABU
  • Melinda Padilla Lynch, economic and workforce development specialist, N.D. Indian Affairs
  • Commission
  • Aidan Pelton, Watford City high school student
  • Cally Peterson, editor, North Dakota Living
  • Joy Schoch, publisher, Dickinson Press
  • Barry Schumaier, general manager, KFYR and West Dakota Fox television
  • Jackie Thompson, publisher, Walsh County Record
  • Mary Van Sickle, executive director, Dakota Media Access
  • Dale Wetzel, public information specialist, N.D. Department of Public Instruction

RDFC is administering the project, made possible by a Bush Foundation Partnership Fund grant, which supports creative problem solving to strengthen North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. 

RDFC, a nonprofit specializing in community development in North Dakota towns under 10,000 residents, provides low-interest loans for community and small business projects. It is governed by rural electric and broadband cooperatives, the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) and the Broadband Association of North Dakota (BAND).

NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 17 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to nearly 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, lineworker safety training, cooperative business and rural development, professional development and communication services, including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.