Rick Bussler is publisher and owner of the Steele County Times, where he leads the company’s operations and directs its strategy. His overall goal in recent years has been to make the Times become one of the leading models for local news in Minnesota, especially in rural Minnesota.

Over the past six years, the Times has grown by nearly 60%, which is remarkable for any newspaper, large or small. In 2022, the circulation surpassed the daily newspaper in Owatonna.

In 2025 and again in 2026, the Times was honored with the Mills Trophy for being Minnesota’s most outstanding weekly newspaper. Since 2010, the Times has achieved 172 state, 68 national and six Society of Professional Journalists awards.

Before purchasing what was then the Blooming Prairie Times in 2009, Bussler served as a police officer in Lakeville and Waterloo, Iowa, for nearly two decades. His police career included various commendations and lifesaving awards, including coming upon a man being stabbed in the neck by another motorist while on patrol. Prior to law enforcement, Bussler spent four years as a reporter and news anchor for KAAL-TV in Austin. During his time as a broadcaster, he extensively covered police and courts. He also did numerous ride-a-longs with police officers, which ultimately led him to becoming an officer.

Bussler grew up on a farm in central Minnesota and graduated from Brownton High School, a school that no longer exists. While in high school, he worked for his local newspaper, the Brownton Bulletin, starting as a photographer and ending up as assistant editor five years later. He also worked at a couple other small newspapers in the area. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Minnesota State University- Mankato. He is also a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston, Iowa.

He has three adult children, two of whom are involved in various aspects of the newspaper business with him. In his spare time, Bussler enjoys spending time with his children and other family members as well as being involved in his church.