HOT PURSUIT
There isn’t a week that goes by without at least one of our staff members receiving some sort of positive comment about something that has been published in the newspaper. We are fortunate to have such kind and generous readers.
While we may not be able to cover every idea or tip that comes across our news desk, I will say with fairly good certainty that we hit most of all the major events and other story leads that we get. If we can’t be there, we will generally find another alternative to get at least something in the newspaper regarding the particular event.
Some of events and activities are no brainers in my book. But that’s apparently not the case with my colleagues at other newspapers around the state.
My parents made me aware of a situation in which my home church in Brownton was celebrating its 125th anniversary a few weeks ago. Certainly not a small celebration by any measure. However, the local newspapers in their area didn’t care enough to do a story.
Members of the church reached out to two different newspapers in McLeod County that didn’t seem to find such a milestone newsworthy. It saddens me that neither newspaper found it worthwhile to cover such a big event, especially when my parents and others in the church spent several years planning the celebration. They were pretty disappointed and certainly now have a sour taste about their “community newspapers.”
I know some newspapers are shorthanded and cannot be everywhere. Totally understandable, especially given the fragileness of the newspaper industry with declining revenues and shrinking staffs.
But seriously, not covering a 125th anniversary of a church? Sadly, there isn’t a lot of events going on in my hometown any longer. However, when there is something, one would think the local newspaper could be there if not the day of, at least some time before.
At times, newspapers are their own worst enemies. Something like what happened with the church celebration not being covered should never take place.
Perhaps, we spoil our readers with the amount of local news we cover every week. I guess this is where I say you should count yourselves lucky because not everyone has local newspapers that do what we do.
Church anniversaries would definitely be included in that coverage we offer. In fact, someone has already reached out to me about a church in our area marking its 40th celebration later this fall. And guess what? It’s on my schedule to cover. I didn’t even think twice.
Local news is the bread and butter of community journalism. If we don’t cover events in our communities, chances are they won’t get covered at all. I feel it’s our duty to cover as many local happenings as possible to the best of our ability.
Covering the communities of Blooming Prairie, Ellendale, Medford and Owatonna as well as surrounding areas is the reason why our readership has increased while other papers keep declining. We’re closing in on achieving a big milestone of 3,000 subscribers. We’re about 200 away. In the coming weeks, I will share what will happen to the lucky person who becomes the 3,000th subscriber. Reach out to your friends and neighbors, and perhaps if you even have a couple enemies, who aren’t subscribing to help push us over the edge of 3,000.
Covering local news equals happy readers. And that’s why we go in hot pursuit of chasing down so many great hometown stories.