The publisher of several small-town Iowa newspapers at risk of closing says efforts are underway to keep some in business.
Mid-America Publishing in Hampton plans to stop publishing more than 20 newspapers on Wednesday, April 1.
President Matt Grohe says rising costs and declining circulation forced the decision.
However, talks are underway to sell the papers.
“We believe in newspapers and community journalism, and we think it's important, but right now we are going a different direction, and we're passing these papers off to people who could continue to run them," Grohe said.
Grohe says Mid-America Publishing will instead focus on its commercial printing business.
The company has agreed to continue printing six publications next week while a sale is finalized. Those include the Ida County Courier, Wright County Monitor, and the Eagle Grove Eagle.
The Western Iowa Journalism Foundation says it’s trying to help some of the impacted newspapers.
-Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio
