Introduction to Kansas News Media
Kansas is a Midwestern state in the United States that is bordered by Oklahoma, Missouri, Colorado, and Nebraska. With a population of 2,913,314 Kansas is home to about 230 newspapers & news websites.
In this article, we will have a look at the major newspapers and news websites in Kansas. We will begin with having a glimpse into the history of the press in Kansas.
The history of the press in Kansas
The history of the press in Kansas can be traced back to Jotham Meeker, who was a printer & a missionary. Jotham, who was licensed to preach the gospel was transferred to a new location in the Indian territory in 1834 by the church. He was also asked to set up a printing outfit in his newly posted location which eventually marked the beginning of the first press in the present-day Kansas.
Jotham Meeker arrived at the west of the Missouri boundary and set up the first press in what is now the state of Kansas, in February 1834. Initially, the press published about ninety pieces of printed matter. Most of these publications were small books containing hymns, selections from the Scriptures, and religious works that were translated to various Indian languages.
The first newspaper in Kansas- Siwinoe Kesibwi
Similar to the first press, the first newspaper in Kansas too was published by Jotham Meeker. It was a four-page newspaper in the Shawnee language named the Siwinoe Kesibwiand is considered to be the first newspaper in Kansas.
The first edition of the monthly newspaper was published on March 1, 1835, and remained in circulation until about 1844. It is important to note that Siwinoe Kesibwi had contributions written by some native Indians too.
The onset of English Newspapers in Kansas
It wasn’t until the Kansas-Nebraska bill was signed in 1854, settlers began pouring into the new territories of Kansas and Nebraska. With settlers coming in, the demand for new newspapers increased.
The first English newspaper to be published in the region was the Kansas Weekly Herald. It was a weekly newspaper founded by William H. Adams at Leavenworth on September 15, 1854. With Kansas Weekly Herald gaining popularity, it eventually paved the way to other newspapers.
Early newspapers in Kansas
The second press to be established in the region was at Kickapoo by A. B. Hazzard and a man named Sexton. They launched the second newspaper in present-day Kansas named the Kansas Pioneer in 1854. Kansas Pioneer was a pro-slavery publication and had many sympathizers for their cause.
The other prominent newspapers during that period were the Herald of Freedom established by George Washington Brown, Kansas Free State, by Josiah Miller and Robert G. Elliott, and the Kansas Tribune, by John Speer.
Over the years, Kansas has proved to be a fertile ground for many newspapers. As of 2020, there are more than 230 newspapers & news websites in the state. In the following sections, we will have a detailed look at some of the prominent newspapers & news website in Kansas.
Looking for exclusive information on US newspapers? Visit the article on US Newspapers written by our media experts.
KAKE
KAKE is a television station broadcasting out of Wichita, Kansas and owned by the Lockwood Broadcast Group. The channel first went on air on October 19, 1954, as KAKE-TV and operated as a primary NBC and secondary ABC affiliate.Over the years, the channel underwent a series of mergers & acquisitions until the Lockwood Broadcast Group took it over on September 14, 2015.
News Operation
The channel airs 5½ hours of locally produced newscast on weekdays, 3½ hours on Saturdays and 3 hours on Sundays. It is interesting to note that KAKE was the first television station in Kansas to broadcast the local newscasts in HD.
KAKE Online News Website
While the news broadcast on their TC channel is restricted to 40hrs a week, KAKE publishes a dedicated online news website. The news website is updated 24*7 with the latest news & updates from Kansas state.
There are dedicated sections on the website for sports, business, health, education, crime, national & international news. Apart from these, the website also caters to its users’ latest weather forecasts for the different regions in Kansas. The website also has a dedicated photo and video gallery, which the users can access from their website.
Social Media Presence
KAKE also has a strong presence on Facebook & Twitter with their pages having more than 269,000 followers. These social media handles are frequently updated with latest news & updates. Readers can choose to follow this page for prompt updates.
The Wichita Eagle
The Wichita Eagle is a daily newspaper in Kansas owned by The McClatchy Company. The paper primarily caters to its readers in Wichita and the surrounding areas. It is also the largest newspaper in the region.
History of the Newspaper
The Wichita Eagle’s history can be traced back to the launch of the newspaper The Vidette in 1870 by Fred A. Sowers and W. B. Hutchinson. It was the first newspaper to be established in the region but was short lived.
It was in the year 1872 Marshall M. Murdock launched weekly The Wichita Eagle as a weekly newspaper. Due to increasing demand Murdock later converted the newspaper into a daily publication. Over the years, the paper underwent a series of mergers and acquisitions until The McClatchy Company finally acquired it in 2006.
It is interesting to note that The Wichita Eagle was an early bird when it came to digital publications. They launched their first website on November 18, 1996.
What do they cover?
As said earlier, the newspaper primarily caters to its readers in the Wichita and the surrounding areas. The paper covers all facets of regional and significant national & international news. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online website with dedicated sections for information, obituaries, sports, business, classifieds, and others.
KSN
KSN is NBC affiliated TV channel owned by the Nexstar Media Group in Wichita, Kansas. The channel first went on air on September 1, 1955, as KARD-TV. Over the years the channel underwent a series of mergers, acquisitions & name changes before it was named KSNW and acquired by the Nexstar Media Group in 2015.
As of 2020, the channel broadcasts 31 hours of locally produced newscasts each week.
Online News Website
KSN also owns an online news website that is frequently updated with the most important news & updates, unlike the TV channels. The website covers all facets of local, state, national & important international news.
There are dedicated sections on the website for local news, national/world news, political & entertainment news, weather updates, sports news, news & updates on community, video gallery, classifieds, and more. Every content on the website, including the image & video content, are available to the users for free.
Social Media Presence
Apart from
a strong presence on the web, KSN also has an active presence on
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. These social media handles are
frequently updated with the latest news & updates 24*7. Readers can also
choose to follow these pages for prompt updates.
Lawrence Journal-World
Lawrence Journal World is a daily newspaper published and circulated in Lawrence, Kansas. The newspaper’s history dates back to 1858 when it was first launched as the Lawrence Record. It remained as a weekly newspaper until 1911 when Lawrence Record merged with the erstwhile newspaper Journal and World to form the daily Lawrence Journal World.
What do they cover?
The newspaper covers all facets of news & updates from Lawrence and its surrounding regions in Kansas. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online news portal. The website is regularly updated with the most important news & updates from Kansas.
There are dedicated sections on the website for news & updates on public safety, city & state government, state wide news, national news, sports, opinion, health/living, obituaries, and so on. They also publish an e-edition of the newspaper that can be accessed by paid subscribers from their website.
Social Media Presence
Lawrence Journal World also has an active presence on Facebook & Twitter. These social media handles are regularly updated with the most important news & updates. Readers can also choose to follow these pages for regular updates.
Lawrence Journal-World Android App
Lawrence Journal-World iOS App
Topeka Capital-Journal
Topeka Capital-Journal is a daily newspaper in Topeka, Kansas owned by Gannett. The paper was formed after a merger of the two erstwhile newspapers Topeka Daily Capital and Topeka State Journal in 1981. It is interesting to note that the roots of the paper date back to the launch of Topeka Daily Capital in 1858.
The newspaper covers all facets of news & updates from Kansas & essential national & international news. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, Topeka Capital-Journalalso owns an online news website. The website covers local news, state news, business updates, updates on local, state & national governments, obituaries, and more.
They also publish an e-edition of the newspaper, which can only be accessed by paid subscribers.
Topeka Capital-Journal Android App
Topeka Capital-Journal iOS App
Leavenworth Times
Leavenworth Times is a daily newspaper published in Leavenworth, Kansas. The newspaper was founded in the year 1856 by Senator Robert Crozier as a weekly newspaper. Daniel R. Anthony later brought the paper in 1871, and it remained in his family until 1966 when the paper was sold to The Thomson Corporation. As of 2020, the paper is owned by Gannett.
The paper primarily serves the Leavenworth and its surrounding areas in Kansas. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online website. There are dedicated sections on the website for local news, community news, state news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and many more.
Leavenworth Times also publishes an e-edition of the newspaper. Paid subscribers can access the e-edition form the official website.
The Manhattan Mercury
The Manhattan Mercury is a local newspaper in Kansas, primarily serving the Manhattan region. The newspaper was founded in the year 1884 as a weekly newspaper and later became a daily publication in 1909. The paper is primarily focused on reporting the local news & updates concerning the Manhattan region. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an e-edition. Paid subscribers can access the e-edition from the official website.
Hutchinson News
Hutchinson News is a daily newspaper in Kansas serving the city of Hutchinson. The history of the newspaper can be traced back to 1872 when Houston Whiteside first launched it. Over the years, the paper has grown to become a leading newspaper in the region. The paper is primarily focused on reporting the local news & updates concerning the city of Hutchinson and its surroundings. Apart from the printed edition, they also publish an e-edition that can be accessed from their website.
Wichita Business Journal
Wichita Business Journal, as the name suggests, is a weekly business newspaper serving Wichita in Kansas. The newspaper is primarily focussed on reporting news & updates on the business sector, offering business leads and tips, and many more. Unlike the weekly printed edition of the paper, its online news website is frequently updated with breaking news & latest updates. Wichita Business Journal also has an active social media presence.
Wichita Business Journal Online
Wichita Business Journal Android App
Wichita Business Journal iOS App
The Sunflower
The Sunflower is a bi-weekly newspaper that is published on Mondays and Thursdays by the students at Wichita State University. The newspaper was first launched in the year 1896 and has since remained the primary news source for Wichita State University and the surrounding community ever since. Both the print and online edition of the newspaper covers all facets of news & updates from the university.
The Jefferson County Union
The Jefferson County Union is a daily newspaper in Kansas serving the Jefferson County region. In fact, it is the city newspaper for Junction City and one of the oldest papers in the state. The history of the newspaper dates back to 1861 when George W. Kingsbury founded it. As of 2020, the newspaper publishes both the printed and online edition of the newspaper.
The Morning Sun
The Morning Sun is a daily newspaper that is printed and circulated out of Pittsburg, Kansas. The history of the newspaper can be traced back to the erstwhile weekly newspaper Pittsburg Headlight that was launched by Millard Fillmore Sears, W.F. Sears, Harry Sears. As of 2020, the paper is owned by Gannet and has a circulation of 4052 copies (as of 2017).
Kansas State Collegian
Kansas State Collegian is a newspaper run by the students of the Kansas State University. The newspaper was founded in the year 1896 and has since remained the primary source of news & information about the university. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online news website.
Kansas State Collegian Android App
Kansas State Collegian iOS App
The Newton Kansan
The Newton Kansan is a daily newspaper published in Newton, Kansas. The newspaper which was founded in 1872 primarily serves the Harvey County, including the cities of Newton, Burrton, Halstead, Hesston, North Newton and Sedgwick. As of 2020, The Newton Kansan publishes a printed newspaper & an online edition.
The University Daily Kansan
The University Daily Kansan is an independent student-run weekly newspaper serving the University of Kansas. The paper was founded in 1904 and has since been circulated inside the university campus. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online news website. Unlike the weekly newspaper, the online edition is frequently updated with the latest news & updates.
The University Daily Kansan Online
Great Bend Tribune
Great Bend Tribune is a local newspaper serving the Barton & Pawnee Counties. The printed edition of the newspaper covers all facets of local news & updates. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an e-edition. Paid subscribers can access the e-edition of the newspapers from their official website.
Shawnee Mission Post
Shawnee Mission Post is a hyperlocal news website serving the North Eastern Johnson county in Kansas. The history of the website can be traced back to 2010 when the website Prairie Village Post was first launched. Apart from a strong web presence, Shawnee Mission also has an active presence on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
The Garden City Telegram
The Garden City Telegram is a local newspaper in Kansas, serving the Garden city region. The newspaper covers all facets of local news & updates concerning Garden city. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online website and an e-edition. As of 2020, the newspaper is owned by Gannet and has a circulation of 8,000 copies.
The Garden City Telegram Online
The Garden City Telegram ePaper
The Derby Informer
The Derby Informer is a local newspaper serving the city of Derby in Kansas. The newspaper covers all facets of local news & updates, classifieds, obituaries, and many more. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online website and an e-edition of the newspaper.
The Salina Journal
The Salina Journal is a daily newspaper that is printed and circulated out of Salina, Kansas. The newspaper was founded in the year 1871 and has since become a prominent newspaper in the region. The newspaper & its online website covers all facets of news & updates on sports, local, state & national news, entertainment, and many more.
The Salina Journal Android App
Emporia Gazette
Emporia Gazette is a daily newspaper in Kansas based out of Emporia. The newspaper is published six days a week and covers all facets of local & statewide news. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online website and an e-edition of the newspaper.
Hays Daily News
Hays Daily News is a daily newspaper in Kansas primarily focused on serving western Kansas. The newspaper & its online website covers all facets of news & updates on sports, local, state & national news, entertainment, and many more. As per the readership survey of 2011, the paper has a circulation of 9,644 copies.
The Cowley Courier Traveler
The Cowley Courier Traveler is a local newspaper in Arkansas City, Kansas. The newspaper was initially launched in the year 1924 as the Arkansas Traveler. It was in 2017, The Arkansas City Traveler and The Winfield Daily Courier merged into a new publication named The Cowley Courier Traveler. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an e-edition and an online news website.
Winfield Courier-Traveler Online
Winfield Courier-Traveler ePaper
Miami County Republic
The Miami County Republic is a local newspaper serving the Miami County, Kansas, and surrounding communities since 1866. The printed edition of the newspaper covers all facets of local news & updates. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online news website and an e-edition of the newspaper.
Miami County Republic Android App
Conclusion
Newspapers have played a crucial role in the history of Kansas. The first newspaper in the region was launched in 1854 long before Kansas was officially declared a state. Over the years, newspapers played a commendable role in the socio-political development of the state.
Similar to the other states & countries across the globe, newspapers are facing a severe crisis in Kansas. The dwindling circulation and decline in advertising revenue have forced many small newspapers in the state to wind up their operations. While other newspapers ceased publication, some others merged or switched over to digital publications to keep their business afloat.
The situation of printed newspapers in Kansas deteriorated when the global pandemic hit the United States. Small businesses that were the last support pillars for many news organizations were severely hit, forcing these news organizations to cease their operations. Alternative weeklies and city magazines, dependent on ads from restaurants, museums and local attractions also took a severe hit.
While the Media industry knows no bounds, we at MediaBuzz are working hard to provide an encyclopaedic coverage of all the news sources in America. We are a team of professional writers with a close eye for the updates happening in the world of journalism.
We can do a lot more with your support!
Can you spare a few minutes to help us find the answers?
- What are the top three newspapers in Kansas?
- Did we miss any deserving newspaper or news website?
- Which is the best newspaper in Kansas for business, entertainment, and sports news?
- Which newspaper do you read from the above list?
- Which is the best community newspaper in Kansas?
- Do you have any other information for us related to newspapers in Kansas?
- Is there any particular newspaper that caught your attention?
Please drop your answers on the comments section below. Thanking you in advance!
Hey reader, can we grab your attention for a minute?
We are always looking for people with a background in media/journalism/mass communication to contribute more articles. If you are an expert at the Kansas media industry, can you help us make this article better?
We are also looking for companies/people who wish to sponsor this article and empower us to research and cover more valuable information about the Kansas media.
For more details, please contact us at mediabuzz.org@gmail.com