College newspaper acquires two small publications in effort to combat expanding news deserts

In a time when local news is disappearing at an alarming rate across the United States, a college newspaper in Iowa is making a groundbreaking move to save two struggling weekly publications. The Daily Iowan, a nonprofit student paper for the University of Iowa, has stepped up to buy the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun and the Solon Economist, which have a combined circulation of 1,900.

With the decline of traditional media due to the rise of big tech and social media, the news industry has been in a freefall, losing 70% of newsroom jobs and one-third of all newspapers since 2005. In response to this crisis, universities like the University of Iowa are taking action to fill the void left by disappearing local news outlets.

The Daily Iowan’s acquisition of the two Iowa papers is a first of its kind, but it follows a trend of universities across the country getting involved in local news reporting. From the University of Missouri to the University of Oregon, college publications are stepping in to provide essential coverage to communities that would otherwise be left without a dedicated news source.

The man behind the sale of the two Iowa papers, Bob Woodward, saw an opportunity to keep these publications alive by partnering with The Daily Iowan. The deal, finalized in February, will not only save the papers from closure but also provide valuable reporting experience for university students.

As the journalism industry continues to evolve, innovative solutions like this one offer hope for the future of local news. By combining the resources of universities with the needs of communities, initiatives like The Daily Iowan’s purchase of the Iowa weeklies are paving the way for sustainable models of journalism that prioritize quality reporting and community engagement.