A difficult goodbye from your hometown newspapers

Written by Kari Sundberg, Grygla Eagle Editor

To our readers, advertisers and supporters,

After months of thoughtful conversation, difficult number-crunching and heartfelt discussions, we’ve come to a decision that was very difficult to make. Richard’s Publishing will be closing its four newspapers - the Leader Record, Grygla Eagle, Red Lake County Herald and the McIntosh Times. This was not a decision made lightly. 

This does not mean the printing part of what is done in Gonvick.

Like so many small, hometown newspapers across the country, we’ve faced growing financial challenges over the past several years. Advertising dollars, which have always been the backbone of keeping a paper alive, have declined significantly in today’s digital age. While we explored all possible avenues, including the idea of going fully digital to cut printing and postage costs, the numbers simply couldn’t support the path forward.

In 2024 alone, the combined revenue for all four of our newspapers totaled less than our expenses. These numbers include everything from printing and postage (over $80,000 combined per year) to payroll and office rent, and the many everyday costs of doing business to keep the newspapers going.

Having the newspapers and starting the Grygla Eagle again in 1973 has meant a lot to the Richards. And what a legacy they’ve built. Richards Publishing was founded by Dick and Corrine back in August of 1972. For more than 50 years, they’ve poured their hearts into this work…not just running newspapers but operating a successful print shop out of Gonvick that continues to thrive today and will continue to remain open. Even now, in their early 80s, they remain actively involved every single day. But as they shared with us during our recent meeting in Gonvick, joined by newspaper editors Kari Sundberg, Grygla Eagle, Bonny Cote, Red Lake County Herald, and Kim Spaeth-Hedlund, McIntosh Times, they want to step away from the newspaper side of the business while they still can, while the choice is still theirs to make. And we fully support that.

Yes, emotions ran high. Yes, this feels heavy. But it is not a failure. It’s the closing of a remarkable, successful chapter. For over five decades, these papers have been a trusted voice in our communities, covering everything from town festivals and meetings to high school sports, community events, hometown heroes, elections and everything in between. We’ve celebrated milestones, mourned losses and told the stories that make our small towns so special.

We are deeply grateful to the many businesses, organizations and individuals who have continued to support us, both through the years and especially now. Your ads, your subscriptions, your encouragement...they have never gone unnoticed.

The four newspapers will continue through the end of May and then they will come to an end. 

While this is a goodbye to the newspapers, it’s not a goodbye to the community. The print shop will continue on, and Dick and Corrine will still be around…likely with ink on their hands and a story or two to tell, along with the people who work in the office in Gonvick.

With every ending also comes the possibility of a new beginning. Kari Sundberg, editor of the Grygla Eagle, is venturing out on her own, providing a 100% digital news source with a strong community and advertising focus. Her plans are underway to launch her new digital platform mid-June, delivering real-time, local happenings and advertising, operating under the name The Northern Neighbor. Watch for more information to come on that next week. 

Bonny Cote, who long ran the Oklee Herald, came out of retirement to help keep her local paper going. Though she’s saddened to see it come to an end after so many years, she’s also grateful for the time she’s had to connect with her community, knowing the impact the paper has had.

Kim Spaeth-Hedlund, with the McIntosh Times, has also been a steady presence in her town and has always believed in the value of a community newspaper and the role it plays in keeping people informed and connected. While this decision is not an easy one, she stands behind it, understanding the realities we all face in these changing times. Like all of us, Kim remains focused on ending this journey with respect and gratitude for the readers who have supported us all along.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for believing in local news. And thank you for allowing us to be part of your stories.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Dick and Corrine Richards, Gonvick

Kari Sundberg, Grygla

Bonny Cote, Oklee

Kim Spaeth-Hedlund, McIntosh