A letter below details a reader’s reaction to a recent 60 Minutes segment regarding the perilous state of newspapers in America. The concerns are real: Nearly one in four newspapers have closed in the last 15 years, 2,100 of them weeklies like The Northern Light. The pandemic has only hastened this dismaying trend.
On the occasion of being awarded the Blaine Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year award, it seems timely to point out why local papers are so important to communities.
Weeklies cover news that metro papers can’t or don’t. City council, fire, school and water districts and others all make decisions that affect locals in many ways. Residents need to know what’s going on and weeklies tell them. It is estimated governments in communities without local papers have costs 8 percent higher than those without one.
Newspapers sustain communities. Readers turn to the paper not just for news but to find out what events are coming up, what local students are up to, what new business is starting up and so much more.
Local newspapers benefit local businesses and encourage residents to buy local and keep the economy humming.
It was an honor for the hard work of our staff to be recognized and we thank the chamber on behalf of them.
Pat Grubb and Louise Mugar
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