Podcast: Preserving Local News in Rural North Dakota
In this episode of Backstory, host Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Ryan Janke, the new owner and publisher of the Wishek Star and Ashley Tribune. Janke discusses his unexpected path from city employee and freelance reporter to small-town newspaper publisher, and the steps he took to keep two long-standing rural newspapers in operation following the passing of longtime publisher Tony Bender.
Listen here:
Ryan Janke shares the story behind his transition into local news publishing, outlining how a background in communications and a strong connection to his hometown of Wishek, North Dakota, led him to take over two community newspapers at risk of closure.
“Those are the kind of things that are important in not only having the news for the community, but also having that historical record to say, ‘Hey, this is what happened..." - Ryan Janke, newspaper publisher
He details the business and logistical challenges of acquiring and maintaining official publication status, the importance of preserving local news coverage, and how he’s carrying on the tradition of publishing from McIntosh County.
This episode explores the broader role of local journalism in rural communities, providing a public record, supporting civic engagement, and preserving history, and highlights the impact one individual can have in keeping those traditions alive.
Key Topics:
- Janke’s professional background and connection to Wishek
- The process of acquiring the Wishek Star and Ashley Tribune
- The role of local newspapers in maintaining public records
- Community support and staffing the newsrooms
- Technical and operational challenges in restarting publication
- Considerations for combining the two papers into a single county publication
- The importance of official newspaper status for sustainability
- The future of local journalism in small communities
About The Backstory
The Backstory offers a look into the reporting process behind top stories from the North Dakota News Cooperative, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to serving communities across the state.
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