In Wisconsin, a culture of democracy is preserved by local news reporting.
But in more than half of America’s counties, news deserts have increased as residents have little access to local news coverage. Seven of the most-circulated local newspapers in Wisconsin — including the La Crosse Tribune and Wisconsin State Journal — are owned by a single corporation: Lee Enterprises.
The rate of newspaper failures increased in 2023 from two to 2.5 newspapers failing each week. The United States has lost 2,972 newspapers since 2005, and prominent publications such as Sports Illustrated and the Washington Post have been hit with severe staffing cuts.
And this is why we wanted to shift the spotlight onto rural areas affected by the drought.
Five Daily Cardinal reporters conducted in-depth research and interviewed journalists and locals across the state in order to learn how small newspapers survive, how communities keep informed and what issues residents are most involved with.
They revealed social media platforms, conglomerates and reporting shortages make residents navigate a corn maze of misleading stories to find authentic local news.
Joseph Panzer explored Douglas County to understand the challenges faced by its only newspaper, The Superior Telegram, in providing local news coverage as residents increasingly turn to social media to keep informed about their community.
Sarah Parker dove into Florence County to report on the isolated Florence Mining News and its declining readership as residents use Facebook as a main source of information.
Mary Bosch investigated Menominee County to report on the strained relationship between the Menominee Nations News and their local police department, which has resulted in a fentanyl crisis going underreported.
Tomer Ronen covered Taylor County, where the Medford-based Star News continues to survive within a tight-knit community despite only having nine full-time staff in a declining industry.
Finally, Jakob Moe reported on the Peninsula Pulse to discover how the paper remains crucial in Door County by providing election coverage to uphold democracy and community.
Hardworking journalists in our state may often be ignored and still remain dedicated to an industry of neglect. Local journalists are the glue to increase voter turnout, decrease polarization and serve as a watchdog to hold officials accountable.
The Washington Post’s slogan, “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” rings truer each year.
Democracy is a value that is vast and significant but at the same time perilous and delicate. To truly absorb it, we must write about the reporters who uphold it.
Your time and attention to this series is appreciated.
Ava Menkes is the managing editor at The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as the state news editor. She has covered multiple stories about the upcoming election, healthcare and campus, and written in-depth about rural issues, legislative maps and youth voter turnout. She will be an incoming intern with Wisconsin Watch. Follow her on Twitter at @AvaMenkes.
