Herald Opinion: Appreciate newspapers for what they mean to a community

When the Crookston Times printed its last issue earlier this year, it marked the quiet end of nearly 140 years of local storytelling — and a warning for towns everywhere. As National Newspaper Week arrives, it’s a reminder that communities without local journalism lose more than headlines; they lose connection, accountability, and shared understanding. Facebook rumors can’t replace facts, and algorithms won’t attend city council meetings. If local news matters, it’s up to readers — and advertisers — to keep the presses turning. That’s the gist; the full opinion form the Grand Forks Herald is linked below.