Local
news
matters.
Let's Protect it.
Strong local news
keeps communities
connected and thriving.
When communities lose their newspaper, they lose their voice and democracy fails.
We’re serving the people, places and voices that define Western South Dakota and it’s communities.
Our coverage and outreach will encompass Lawrence, Butte, Meade, Pennington, Harding Counties and beyond.
Reaching More Readers
Our Purpose
Western South Dakota Journalism Foundation’s mission is to strengthen our communities by providing sustainable local journalism that is truthful, balanced and impactful toÂ
the public.
Our Focus
Local news keeps our neighbors informed about the decisions impacting our quality of life, and the next generation. Identified sectors of coverage: Healthcare; Education; Environmental; Governmental; Crime; News Literacy Outreach to members of our community.
Bonus: Save and expand Local Journalism!
The collapse of local news isn't just abstract - it's measurable.
And western South Dakota is not immune.
Supporting an independent, local press is one of the most direct and effective ways to preserve our region.
South Dakota has 7 counties without a newspaper.
75%+
Loss in the number of local journalists in the U.S. since 2002. (2)
​
In 2005, there were 40 journalists per 100,000 Americans. Today there are
8 journalists per 100,000.
(2) Rebuild Local News, Muck Rack Study (2025)
3,500
Newspapers have closed in the U.S.
since 2005.
​
In South Dakota, 33 newspapers have closed since 2005.
1 in 7
Americans are currently living in a news desert.
​
A news desert is an area with no consistent source of local reporting. More than 200 counties in the U.S. have no local media options, according to the Medill Initiative at Northwestern University.
Americans still want and trust local news.
Of 3,000 American surveyed in a recent Press Foward Study (1)...
93%
Agree that local news is
necessary for democracy.
(1) Press Forward (2025)
87%
Say local news matters
to them personally.
96%
Believe local newsÂ
strengthens their community.
89%
Said it is important to findÂ
new ways to fund local news.