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.

The decision to acquire these papers comes as a response to the growing issue of news deserts in rural areas, where communities are left without a dedicated source of local news. With traditional media facing a decline in revenue due to the rise of big tech and social media, universities are stepping in to fill the void in different ways.

The move by The Daily Iowan is believed to be the first of its kind, but other universities have also taken on similar initiatives to support local journalism. From student reporting programs to university-led community newspapers, colleges are finding innovative ways to ensure that vital news coverage continues to reach underserved areas.

The acquisition of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun and the Solon Economist by The Daily Iowan marks a significant effort to preserve local news and provide students with valuable hands-on experience in journalism. With the support of the university, these two struggling publications have been given a new lease on life, ensuring that important stories continue to be told in the communities they serve.