Brookings, South Dakota – Employees of the four South Dakota newspapers that closed this week are deciding what to do next.
The Brookings Register, Moody County Enterprise, The Plainsman, and The Redfield Press have ceased publication as of Wednesday, after their parent company, News Media Corporation, instructed newsrooms to close immediately.
Kayla Jessen, the general manager of the Redfield Press, said over the phone Thursday that her staff was unaware of the impending cut.
“We had no inkling that this would happen. We found out around 3 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, and that was the end of it,” Jessen explained. “The doors immediately got closed, then they were shut down.”
Mondell Keck, a Brookings Register reporter, stated over the phone on Friday that “community journalism is really important. To lose this is a setback for people who rely on local media.”
Now, Keck and others are looking for new jobs and insurance.
“On top of that, if you lose your health insurance right away, you must go through the process of re-obtaining it. “So that’s a struggle for everyone,” Jessen explained.
The Brookings Register and Redfield Press issued statements on Facebook regarding the closure.
However, not everyone in town has seen the online post.
“I decided to come in person today and find out what’s going on,” Brookings resident Joel Kennedy explained. “I had no idea.”
Community members and employees are left wondering what will fill the void in local news.
“Hopefully, some other company decides to buy it and they come in and take over the paper and it can continue on like it has for as long as I know,” according to Kennedy.
“I hope that somebody does pick that up and start it again,” Mr. Jessen said.
However, the newspaper racks are currently empty.
