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Iowa newspapers get second chance after publisher closure

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Iowa newspapers get second chance after publisher closure

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WELCOME BACK. SEVERAL SMALL TOWN IOWA NEWSPAPERS ARE ON THE BRINK OF SHUTTING DOWN. WILL NOW GET A SECOND CHANCE. 18 PAPERS ACROSS THE STATE WERE SET TO GO OUT OF PRINT AT THE START OF THE MONTH, WHEN MID-AMERICA PUBLISHING CLOSED. NELSON MEDIA COMPANY, A VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY BASED IN NORTHEAST IOWA, BOUGHT FOUR OF THOSE PAPERS. THE ACQUISITIONS INCLUDE THE WINNEBAGO COUNTY TRIBUNE, PARKERSBURG ECLIPSE NEWS REVIEW, BUTLER COUNTY TRIBUNE, AND THE REGISTER. CEO CHRIS NELSON SAYS LOSING THE NEWSPAPERS WOULD PUT LOCAL COMMUNITIES AT RISK. JOURNALISM WAS THE FOUNDATION OF THIS COUNTRY, SO IF WE LOSE THAT IN THE SMALL COMMUNITIES, THAT’S A BIG DEAL. WE WANT TO MAKE THESE PAPERS GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITIES AND SHOW THE NEWS AND THE CONTENT THAT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE WEEK IN THESE CITIES AND TOWNS. 13 OF THE 18 NEWS

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Iowa newspapers get second chance after publisher closure

Updated: 10:44 PM CDT Apr 12, 2026

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Eighteen Iowa newspapers faced closure this month after MidAmerica Publishing shut down, but several have been saved by new ownership. Nelson Media Company, a video production company based in Northeast Iowa, purchased four of the papers. The acquisitions include the Winnebago County Tribune, Parkersburg Eclipse News Review, Butler County Tribune and the Grundy Register. “Journalism is the foundation of this country. So, if we lose that in the small communities, that’s a big deal,” CEO Chris Nelson said. “We want to make these papers great for these communities and show the news and content that happens every week in these cities and towns.”Thirteen of the 18 newspapers that were at risk of closing have been sold and will continue printing.

Eighteen Iowa newspapers faced closure this month after MidAmerica Publishing shut down, but several have been saved by new ownership.

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Nelson Media Company, a video production company based in Northeast Iowa, purchased four of the papers. The acquisitions include the Winnebago County Tribune, Parkersburg Eclipse News Review, Butler County Tribune and the Grundy Register.

“Journalism is the foundation of this country. So, if we lose that in the small communities, that’s a big deal,” CEO Chris Nelson said. “We want to make these papers great for these communities and show the news and content that happens every week in these cities and towns.”

Thirteen of the 18 newspapers that were at risk of closing have been sold and will continue printing.

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