Introduction to Iowa News Media
Iowa is a state in the Midwestern United States that was admitted to the Union on December 27, 1846. With a population of 3,155,070 (As of 2019), Iowa is an important market for newspapers and news websites in the US.
First Newspaper in Iowa
The history of the press in Iowa dates back to 1836 when John King established the region’s first press. John King, who was from Ohio, once visited Dubuque and understood that it was a fertile ground for a newspaper. King, who was not a printer himself, bought a Washington hand press and began operations with the help of established printers William Cary Jones and Andrew Keesecker.
The press was set up in Dubuque, and they began publishing the newspaper Dubuque Visitor. Dubuque Visitor was a weekly newspaper, and it was first published on May 11, 1836. The newspaper was later renamed to Iowa News in 1837, and it remained in circulation until 1841.
The second paper in Iowa
The second newspaper to be published in Iowa was the Iowa Territorial Gazette and Burlington Advertiser. It was initially launched as the Wisconsin Territorial Gazette and Advertiser and was renamed in 1837 when the seat of government of Wisconsin Territory moved from Belmont to Burlington. It is interesting to note that, the newspaper’s first issue was published on July 10, 1837, before Iowa was officially declared a state.
The other newspapers in the early 19th century
Iowa Patriot
Iowa Patriot was a weekly newspaper founded in the year 1839 by James G. Edwards. The paper was a strong vocalist for the Republican party and hence had a rivalry with Iowa Territorial Gazette. Most sections on the Iowa Patriot were reserved for contentious political discussions, reports from the territorial legislature, and so on.
Miner’s Express
The popularity of Iowa News proved that Iowa was a fertile ground for newspapers. When Iowa News ceased its operations in 1841, it paved the way for the newspaper, Miner’s Express newspaper. Miner’s Express was a weekly newspaper founded by Lewis A. Thomas and Andrew Keesecker in 1842.
In 1845 Miner’s Express was bought by George Green, and the name was changed to Weekly Miners’ Express. Within a few years after 1845, Weekly Miners’ Express began experiencing financial issue. Although the village of Dubuque’s had prospered, it was a daunting task to collect payments for the newspaper.
Weekly Express & Herald
Owing to a decline in revenue, Weekly Miner’s Express was sold to Keesecker and Harrison Holt in 1848. The paper continued to be published under the name Weekly Miner’s Express until 1850. It was later renamed to Miner’s Express. In 1854, the paper merged with the erstwhile newspaper Dubuque Weekly Herald to form the Weekly Express and Herald.
It is estimated that around 4,000 newspapers were published in the state of Iowa till now. As of 2020, there are more than 300 daily newspapers, weeklies & online newspapers in Iowa. This article will look at the top newspapers & news websites currently in circulation in Iowa.
If you are looking for complete information on U.S. Newspapers, you can check out the article written by our U.S. media expert.
The Des Moines Register
The Des Moines Register is a daily newspaper that is printed and circulated in Iowa. The newspaper was founded in the year 1849 as the Iowa Star by Barlow Granger. In the coming sections, we will have a look at the history of the newspaper.
Early History
As said, The Des Moines Register was initially launched in the year 1849 as the Iowa Star by Barlow Granger. The newspaper was published a week thrice and was known for its Pro-Democratic editorial policy. Over the years since it was first published, the paper has undergone a series of name changes viz;
a. Iowa Star – 1849
b. Iowa Statesman – 1854
c. Iowa State Journal – 1857
d. Iowa State Leader – 1870
The paper continued to remain a weekly publication until 1902.
Transition into a daily newspaper
The transition of Iowa State Leader into a daily newspaper began when George Roberts acquired the newspaper in 1902. George Roberts who also owned the erstwhile newspaper Iowa Daily State Register merged the two newspapers to form the daily newspaper Register and Leader.
Gardner Cowles Sr. purchased the newspaper in 1903 and later renamed it to The Des Moines Register in 1915. Over the years, The Des Moines Register became the leading newspaper in Iowa, which justifies their slogan “The Newspaper Iowa Depends On”.
What do they cover?
The newspaper is the primary source of news and updates for Iowa & Des Moines. Other than the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online news website. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, sports, things to do, opinion, business, national news, obituaries, classifieds, and so on.
They also publish an e-edition of the newspaper that can be accessed by paid subscribers from the official website.
Des Moines Register Android App
The Gazette
The Gazette is a daily newspaper in Eastern Iowa, catering to more than 169,900 subscribers (As of 2017). The newspaper is printed and published out of the city of Cedar Rapids and primarily serves the City and the Corridor.
History of the newspaper
The newspaper’s history can be traced back to 1883 when it was first launched as the Evening Gazette. As the name suggests, Evening Gazette was an evening newspaper and was first published on January 10, 1883.
As of 2020, the newspaper is owned by Gazette Communications, Inc. and is named The Gazette.
What do they cover?
The Gazette is the primary source of local news, sports, obituaries, events, and more for northeastern and east-central Iowa, including the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City metropolitan areas.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, The Gazette also publishes an online news website. There are dedicated sections on the website for top stories, trending topics, headlines, sports, opinion, obituaries, jobs, photos & videos, and many more.
While most contents on their website are available for free to users, certain features like access to e-edition are exclusive to paid subscribers. The Gazette also has a strong presence on various social media platforms and readers can choose to follow these pages for prompt updates.
The Messenger
The Messenger is a daily newspaper printed and circulated in the Buena Vista, Calhoun, Greene, Hamilton, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, and Wright counties of Iowa.
The newspaper’s history can be traced back to 1856, when it was first launched as the Fort Dodge Sentinel on July 31, 1856. It was a weekly publication and had a circulation of 1,200 copies in 1856. Over the years, the newspaper underwent a series of mergers, acquisitions & name changes until it merged with erstwhile newspaper The Chronicle to form The Fort Dodge Messenger.
Apart from the newspaper’s printed edition, they also publish an online news website and an e-paper. While most contents on the website are available for free to the users, certain features like the e-edition can only be accessed by paid subscribers.
Globe Gazette
Globe Gazette is a daily newspaper that is published and circulated in Mason City & North Iowa. The newspaper was first launched in 1858 as a weekly newspaper named the Cerro Gordo Press. Over the years, the newspaper underwent a series of mergers and acquisitions until the current owners’ Lee Enterprises acquiredthe newspaper.
The newspaper is primarily focussed on reporting the news & updates concerning Iowa, weather updates, sports news, events, and many more. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online website. It is important to note that Globe-Gazette was an early bird in launching an online news website in Iowa.
Globe Gazette also publishes an e-edition of the newspaper, that can be accessed from their official website by paid subscribers.
Quad-City Times
Quad-City Times is a daily newspaper in Iowa that is circulated throughout the Quad Cities metropolitan area. The newspaper’s history can be traced back to the two erstwhile newspapers, Democratic Banner and Blue-Ribbon News. Since 1855 these newspapers had undergone a series of mergers and acquisitions before forming the Quad-City Times in 1974.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, Quad-City Times also publishes an online news website. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, obituaries, opinion, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, etc. Quad-City Times also publishes an online edition of the newspaper that can be accessed from its official website.
Sioux City Journal
Sioux City Journal is a daily newspaper in Iowa that is owned by Lee Enterprises. The newspaper caters to readers in northwestern Iowa and portions of Nebraska and South Dakota.
The newspaper’s history can be traced back to August 20, 1864, when it was first launched as the Sioux City Weekly by Samuel Tait Davis. It was in 1869 when George and Henry Perkins bought the newspaper, it was converted into a daily newspaper. As of 2020, the newspaper is owned by Lee Enterprises.
The newspaper primarily covers breaking news, events, and information on sports, weather, entertainment, and lifestyle news concerning Sioux City, Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Apart from the newspaper’s printed edition, they also publish an online website & e-edition of the newspaper.
Sioux City Journal Android App
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier is a daily afternoon newspaper primarily catering to the readers in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Iowa, as well as northeast Iowa.
The paper was first launched by WH Hartman and George Ingersoll on November 22, 1859, as a weekly newspaper. It later became an afternoon daily in 1890. As of 2020, the paper is owned by Lee Enterprises, and they claim to have a daily circulation of 14,500 copies and 18,350 copies on Sundays (As of 2017).
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an e-edition. The e-edition can be accessed from the official website of the newspaper.
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier Online
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier ePaper
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier Android App
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier iOS App
The Dispatch-Argus
The Dispatch-Argus is a daily newspaper in Iowa owned by Lee Enterprises. The paper is primarily circulated in the Illinois side of the Quad Cities — Moline, East Moline, Rock Island, and Rock Island County, and Iowa side of the Quad Cities — Davenport and Bettendorf. It is important to note that The Dispatch & The Rock Island Argus are the same newspapers with different front covers.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online website. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, obituaries, sports, entertainment, and so on. Readers can also access the e-edition of the newspaper from the website.
The Dispatch / The Rock Island Argus Online
The Dispatch / The Rock Island Argus ePaper
Telegraph Herald
Telegraph Herald is a daily newspaper in Iowa, primarily catering to Dubuque and surrounding areas in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The newspaper’s history dates back to 1901 when the two erstwhile newspapers Dubuque Herald and the Dubuque Telegraph merged to form the Telegraph Herald . As of 2020, the newspaper is owned by the Woodward Communications Inc.
The newspaper also has an online news website that is regularly updated with the latest news & headlines. There are dedicated sections on the website for local news, sports, features, obituaries, opinions, etc. While most contents on the website are available to the users for free, certain features like the newspaper’s e-edition can only be accessed by paid subscribers.
The Daily Freeman-Journal
As the name suggests, Daily Freeman-Journal is a daily newspaper in Iowa that is circulated five days a week from Mondays to Fridays. The newspaper’s history dates back to 1857 when Charles Aldrich, an eminent printer, launched the newspaper in Webster City, Iowa. It was initially named The Hamilton Freeman, and was a weekly newspaper.
The name of the Hamilton Freeman changed many times in the 145 years of operation. It was in 1917, the paper was converted into a daily newspaper and was renamed to Daily Freeman-Journal.
The newspaper covers all facets of news local, national & important international news, sports news, business news, etc. Apart from the newspaper’s printed edition, they also publish an e-edition of the newspaper that can be accessed from their official website.
Daily Freeman-Journal Android App
Iowa Falls Time-Citizen
Iowa Falls Time-Citizen is a newspaper in Iowa, owned by the Times Citizen Communications. The newspaper’s history dates back to 1948 when Carl Hamilton bought the erstwhile newspaper Iowa Falls Citizen.In the same year, he also bought the newspaper the Alden Times, creating the Times-Citizen. These two newspapers were later combined to form the Iowa Falls Time-Citizen.
Apart from this newspaper, the Times Citizen Communication also owns a news website, another newspaper & a radio station. They also publish an e-edition of the newspaper, which the users can access from the newspaper’s official website.
Iowa Falls Time-Citizen Online
Iowa Falls Time-Citizen ePaper
Iowa State Daily
Iowa State Daily is a student newspaper published by the students at the Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The newspaper is published five days a week during the fall and winter semesters and is distributed for free in the university. The history of the newspaper can be traced back to 1890 when The I.A.C. Student was founded by a group of students at the Iowa Agricultural College.
The newspaper is published in print and online. Apart from these, they also publish an online news website with dedicated sections for news, sports, campus news, opinions, podcasts, and many more. They also have an active presence on various social media platforms, and readers can choose to follow these pages for prompt updates.
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Iowa City Press-Citizen is a daily newspaper in Iowa that is owned by Gannet Co Inc. The newspaper primarily serves the most of Johnson County and portions of surrounding counties with the latest news, updates on sports, jobs, and so on. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online website and e-edition.
Iowa City Press Citizen Online
Iowa City Press Citizen ePaper
Ames Tribune
Ames Tribune is a daily newspaper is based in Ames, Iowa, that was first launched as The Intelligencer in 1868. As of 2020, the newspaper is owned by Gannet Co Inc and is circulated six days a week. The newspaper covers all facets of news & updates from Ames, Iowa. Apart from the newspaper’s printed edition, they also publish an e-edition of the newspaper that can be accessed from their official website.
Daily Iowan
Daily Iowan is a daily newspaper run by the students at the University of Iowa. Being a student newspaper, it mainly covers news & updates from the university and surrounding areas. As of 2020, the newspaper is circulated for free inside the campus and is available for home delivery by subscription.
The Daily Reporter
The Daily Reporter is a daily newspaper primarily serving the Spencer region in Iowa. The newspaper is published four days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. Being a local newspaper, it is more focused on reporting the local news & updates. Apart from the newspaper’s printed edition, they also publish an e-edition & and online news website.
Muscatine Journal
Muscatine Journal is a daily newspaper circulated six days a week in Muscatine and Louisa counties, Iowa. The newspaper traces its history back to 1840 when it was first launched as the Bloomington Herald. The newspaper covers all facets of news & updates from Muscatine, Iowa. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an e-edition of the newspaper.
The Daily Nonpareil
The Daily Nonpareil is a newspaper serving the Council Bluffs region & Southwest Iowa. The newspaper and its news portal cover breaking news for Council Bluffs and Southwest Iowa, latest weather updates, traffic, crime, sports, entertainment, politics, etc.
The Daily Nonpareil Android App
Le Mars Sentinel
Le Mars Sentinel is a daily newspaper in Iowa circulated five days a week except on Saturdays & Sundays. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online newspaper & e-edition. Paid subscribers can access the e-edition of the newspaper from their website.
Fort Madison Democrat
Fort Madison Democrat is a daily community newspaper serving the Fort Madison, Iowa, and surrounding communities. Apart from the newspaper’s printed edition, they also publish an online news website and e-edition of the newspaper. There are dedicated sections on their website for news, sports, obituaries, opinion, lifestyle, and so on.
Daily Gate City
The Daily Gate City is a daily newspaper serving the Keokuk, Iowa area. The newspaper was first launched in 1847 by Robert B. Ogden and his brother, John. Apart from the newspaper’s printed edition, they also publish an online news website and e-edition of the newspaper.
Iowa Farmer Today
Iowa Farmer Today is a weekly newspaper in Iowa serving the crop and livestock farmers in the Midwest. The newspaper’s history dates back to 1984 when a farm crisis was being felt throughout the Midwest. As of 2020, the newspaper is owned by Lee Enterprises and has a circulation of 50,000 copies.
The Hawk Eye
The Hawk Eye is a daily newspaper in Iowa based in Burlington. It was first launched in 1837 as the Wisconsin Territorial Gazette and Burlington Advertiser and is considered the oldest newspaper to be in continuous circulation in Iowa. As of 2020, the newspaper is owned by Gannet Co Inc. and has a daily circulation of 16,637 copies.
Albert Lea Tribune
Albert Lea Tribune is a bi-weekly newspaper in Iowa that is circulated on Wednesdays & Saturdays. The printed edition of the newspaper is mailed to subscribers. Unlike the printed edition, the newspaper’s online edition is regularly updated with important news & updates.
Times Republican
Times Republican is an online newspaper based in Marshalltown, Iowa. The newspaper covers all facets of news & updates concerning Marshalltown & its surrounding areas. Apart from the newspaper’s printed edition, they also publish an e-edition that can be accessed by paid subscribers from their official website.
Conclusion
As said in the beginning, there are in excess of 300 print and online newspapers currently in circulation in Iowa. Among these 300 newspapers, 74 newspapers are circulated for free, and 282 Newspapers are in paid circulation. It is estimated that the total circulation of these printed newspapers in Iowa state is 22,391,09 (as of 2019).
Like the other American states, the major issue faced by the newspapers in Iowa is the decline in circulation and revenue. With the advent of social media & digital platforms, these newspapers are also losing a major share of their advertising revenue. Due to this, most of the smaller newspapers have ceased their publication, while some have fully shifted to digital publication.
The situation was aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many small newsrooms around the country to wind up their operations.
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