South Dakota, renowned for its rolling prairies, rich history, and vibrant communities, is witnessing a fascinating evolution in its media landscape. The state’s newspapers, both new and old, are at the heart of this transformation. As experienced in recent months, some newspapers have found new homes, others have blossomed in an expanding market, while a few have sadly shuttered their doors.
This shifting landscape is also reflective of broader changes across the Upper Midwest, a region where community storytelling continues to flourish despite the challenges posed by digitalization and shifting consumer habits.
- Forum Communications Co. Expands its Reach in South Dakota
Forum Communications Co., a fifth-generation, family-owned media company headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, has strengthened its foothold in South Dakota. With the purchase of six Midwest newspapers from Wick Communications, including the notable Capital Journal in Pierre and the Madison Daily Leader, Forum aims to become a cornerstone of regional news dissemination.
The company’s expansion further extends into South Dakota through its ownership of the Mitchell Republic and a substantial printing plant in Sioux Falls. Additionally, Forum Communications has ventured into the digital realm with platforms such as Sioux Falls Live, an online news and sports site, and Midwest Sports+, known for live-streaming high school and college games.
Forum’s existing broadcast properties include KNBN-TV in Rapid City, as well as KSFL-TV and KCWS-TV in Sioux Falls. “With the acquisition of these six news titles, Forum Communications will secure its place as the largest news-gathering organization in the Upper Midwest,” stated Bill Marcil Jr., president and CEO of Forum Communications, highlighting the company’s commitment to comprehensive regional coverage.
- Brookings Adds a New Voice
Home to South Dakota State University, the city of Brookings has become a two-newspaper town. Josh and Nichole Linehan, a dynamic duo with a passion for local journalism, have launched the Brookings Beacon. Operating with digital and weekly print subscriptions, this publication aims to provide a fresh perspective on local events and issues.
“The community response has been genuinely overwhelming,” said Josh Linehan. “Brookings keeps growing, and there’s a real hunger for both strong, local journalism and quality advertising space.”
- The Rapid City Post Goes to Print
Rapid City’s thriving media scene has welcomed a new player in the form of The Rapid City Post. Initially launching as a digital-only publication in March, the paper has expanded its offerings with a weekly print edition distributed free of charge across the region. This new edition, spearheaded by The HomeSlice Media Group, marks a significant step in evolving from a purely digital platform to a more traditional format.
“We’re taking a lot of our audio content and turning it into print,” said Chris Hornick, managing editor. “We’ve been generating content for decades. We’re just new at print.”
- The Closure of the Lakota Times
In a sobering turn of events, The Lakota Times, an essential news source serving South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for over two decades, ceased publication following its January 14th, 2026 issue. This newspaper was a vital voice for the Oglala and Rosebud Sioux tribes, as well as Oglala Lakota County Schools and other community organizations.
While the media landscape in South Dakota continues to evolve, the disappearance of such a critical journalistic voice leaves a notable void in the region’s news ecosystem.
As South Dakota navigates these media changes, the need for vibrant, community-focused journalism becomes ever more vital. These developments reflect not only the challenges but also the resilience and adaptability of local media in a rapidly changing world.
For more information, contact South Dakota News Watch CEO Carson Walker at carson.walker@sdnewswatch.org.