Introduction to North Dakota News Media
North Dakota is a state in the midwestern and northern regions of the United States bordered by Canada to the north, Montana to west, Minnesota to west & South Dakota to south. While the state was officially annexed to the region in 1889, history North Dakota Newspapers dates back to 1864.
History of North Dakota Newspapers
As said earlier, the history of newspapers in North Dakota can be traced back to 1864 during the American civil war. The early North Dakota newspapers were solely focused on covering news & updates regarding the civil war.
Frontier Scout: First Newspaper in North Dakota
Frontier Scout was the first newspaper to be circulated in North Dakota. It was a printed newspaper published by two soldiers who were posted in Fort Union in 1864. The paper first hit the newsstands as a weekly publication on July 15th, 1865.
Like most early newspapers, Frontier Scout was short-lived and was pulled out from circulation within a few weeks after it was first launched.
The paper again entered circulation on June 15th 1965 under the name Fort Rice, D.T but it was still unsuccessful in gaining readership. Owing to stiff financial constrains the paper was withdrawn from circulation on October 12th, 1965.
Bismarck Tribune: First Permanent Newspaper in North Dakota
Bismarck Tribune was the first permanent newspaper to be published in North Dakota. The paper was first launched in 1873 by Clement A. Lounsbury, who was a Colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War.
The paper first hit the newsstands in 1873 as a weekly newspaper and continued to remain a weekly publication until 1875. The paper was quick to gain popularity & readership because of which the paper was converted into a tri-weekly publication in 1875 and was renamed Bismark Tri-Weekly Tribune.
It became a daily newspaper in 1881 and was renamed to Bismark Daily Tribune.
Apart from being the first permanent newspaper in Dakota, Bismarck Tribune had also played a crucial role in the geopolitical atmosphere of Dakota. Before being annexed to the union, Yankton (a place in the far southern part of Dakota territory) was the capital of the Dakota territory. It was Bismarck Tribune who played a crucial role in the relocation of the capital to Bismarck.
Similarly, the paper was the first publication in advocating for the division of the Dakota Territory into north & south. In fact, before North Dakota was officially annexed to the union in 1889, Bismarck Tribune carried the words Bismarck, North Dakota on its masthead.
Early Newspapers in North Dakota
The success of Bismarck Tribune paved the way for many new newspapers in the region. Express, a weekly newspaper printed and published at Fargo on January 1st, 1874 and Plaindealer published at Grand Forks in 1874 were the prominent ones.
According to the Library of Congress, there are about 105 printed newspapers in North Dakota, as of 2020. This is apart from the many online news websites and online newspapers that are in circulation. This article will discuss in detail information about the top newspapers & news websites in Dakota.
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Fargo Forum
Fargo Forum, also known as The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead is a daily newspaper in North Dakota owned by Forum Communications Company. Founded in the year 1891 the paper currently serves the southern Red River Valley region of Minnesota and North Dakota.
What do they publish?
- A daily printed edition with an estimated circulation of 37,500 on weekdays and 47,100 on weekends (as of 2015).
- An online news website is serving as a local source for news, sports, and weather in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
- An e-edition of the newspaper that can only be accessed by paid subscribers from the paper’s official website.
Apart from these, Fargo Forum also has an active presence on Facebook & Twitter. Readers can choose to follow the official social media handle of the paper for regular updates.
Grand Forks Herald
Grand Forks Herald is a daily newspaper in North Dakota serving northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. The paper was first launched in 1879 as a weekly newspaper and was later converted to a daily publication.
What do they publish?
- A daily printed edition with an estimated circulation of 15,000 copies (As of 2020)
- An online news website with dedicated sections for news, weather, sports, obituaries, health, lifestyle, business & more. Apart from these, there are dedicated sections for latest news & trending news.
- An e-edition of the newspaper that can only be accessed by paid subscribers from the paper’s official website.
Grand Forks Herald Android App
Bismarck Tribune
Bismarck Tribune is a daily newspaper in North Dakota owned by Lee Enterprises. Established in the year 1873, the paper primarily caters to its readers in south-central and southwest North Dakota. In fact, the paper is the official newspaper of the state of North Dakota, county of Burleigh and city of Bismarck.
Also, the official website of Bismarck Tribune with dedicated sections for news, obituaries, opinion, sports, and more is the primary source for local news and information in North Dakota.
The paper also publishes an e-edition that can only be accessed by paid subscribers.
The Morton County & Mandan News
The Morton County & Mandan News is an online news website catering to its readers in Mandan and Morton County. The newspaper is owned by Lee Enterprises and is a sister concern of the Bismarck Tribune.
The website is focused on covering all facets of news & updates from Mandan & Morton County. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, obituaries, sports, public notices & classifieds.
The Morton County & Mandan News Online
KX Net
KX
Net is the
official website of the KXMC-TV station in North Dakota which also acts as an
online news website. The website is the source for local news and updates for Bismarck
and Minot and has dedicated sections for local, state & international news,
weather updates, sports, features, and more.
Red & Green
Red & Green is a weekly student newspaper published by the students at the Minot State University. Established in the year 1922, the newspaper covers news & updates from the university and the surrounding community.
Apart from the weekly printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online edition of the paper.
Minot Daily News
Minot Daily News is a daily newspaper printed and published in downtown Minot, North Dakota. The paper was first launched as the Burlington Reporter and was later renamed the Minot Daily News.
As of 2020, the paper is owned by Ogden Newspapers & it primarily serves Ward County, as well as north-central and northwest North Dakota.
Dickinson Press
Dickson Press is a daily newspaper in Dickinson, North Dakota owned by Forum Communications. The paper primarily caters to its readers in Stark County with local news, sports, weather updates, and more.
Apart fpm the daily printed edition of the newspaper, Dickson Press also publishes an online news website.
Williston Daily Herald
Williston Daily Herald is a daily newspaper in North Dakota owned by Wick Communications. The paper was established in 1899 and has since been the official newspaper of Williams County, North Dakota and the leading newspaper covering northwestern North Dakota and northeastern Montana.
Apart fpm the daily printed edition of the newspaper, Williston Daily Herald also publishes an e-edition of the paper.
Williston Daily Herald Android App
Williston Daily Herald iOS App
Jamestown Sun
Jamestown Sun is a daily newspaper published in Jamestown, North Dakota owned by Forum Communication. Though the paper as we see today was established in 1925, its heritage can be traced back to 1878.
As of 2020, the paper primarily caters to its readers in Stutsman County & southeast North Dakota.
West Fargo Pioneer
West Fargo Pioneer is a free weekly newspaper in West Fargo, North Dakota. The paper was established in 1967 as a weekly newspaper and has since remained the same.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, West Fargo Pioneer also publishes an e-edition. Paid subscribers can access the e-edition from the paper’s official website.
West Fargo Pioneer Android App
Wahpeton Daily News
As the name suggests, Wahpeton Daily News is a daily newspaper based out of Wahpeton, Richland County, North Dakota. Established in the year 1971, the paper primarily serves its readers in Wahpeton community North Dakota & parts of Minnesota.
Wahpeton Daily News also has an active presence on the web and social media platforms such as Facebook & Twitter.
Wahpeton Daily News Android App
Farm & Ranch Guide
Farm & Ranch Guide is a bi-weekly newspaper in North Dakota covering news & updates on farming & agriculture. Though the paper as we see it today was established in 1980, its history dates back to the mid-1970s.
Apart from the bi-weekly printed edition, Farm & Ranch Guide also hosts an online website & publishes an e-edition.
Mandan Farm & Ranch Guide Online
The Spectrum
The Spectrum is a weekly newspaper published by the students of the North Dakota State University. The was first launched in 1896 as a monthly newspaper, and it became a weekly newspaper in 1907.
The paper also hosts an online website which the users can access for free.
Valley City Times-Record
Valley City Times-Record is a daily newspaper in in Valley City, North Dakota. The paper was established in 1882 as the Valley City Weekly Times. Today the paper has circulation in most of North Dakota and parts of South Dakota.
Valley City Times-Record Online
Valley City Times-Record ePaper
Pierce County Tribune
Pierce county tribune is a weekly newspaper in North Dakota serving the Rugby and Pierce County. The paper was established in 1888 by Herbert C. Hurd and is currently owned by Ogden Newspapers.
Pierce county tribune also hosts an online news website with sections for news, sports, opinion, lifestyle, and more.
High Plains Reader
High Plains Reader is an alternative newspaper in North Dakota serving the Fargo metropolitan area. The paper primarily covers reviews of bands, movies, and theatre in Fargo-Moorhead.
Devils Lake Journal
Devils lake journal is a daily newspaper in Devils Lake, North Dakota. The paper was established in 1906 as the Devils Lake Daily Journal and was later renamed to Devils lake journal. As of 2020, the paper is owned by Gannet and is circulated in northeast North Dakota.
Devils Lake Journal Android App
Conclusion
The newspaper industry in North Dakota has come a long way since the two American Civil War soldiers launched the first paper. As of 2020, there are about 100 Newspapers & new websites available in North Dakota state.
Today most newspapers in North Dakota are struggling because of dwindling circulation and a decline in revenue. This rapid decline in revenue has forced many newspapers in the state to wind up their operations.
In an effort to keep their business afloat, most newspapers in North Dakota were either forced to merge with other newspapers or shift to digital mediums. In a desperate attempt to stay afloat, the number of pages and staffs are reduced in response to the drop in revenue from advertising and circulation.
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