A letter from the editor: Local news matters, and we need your support

Is the newspaper industry dying?

I’ve been asked that question multiple times over the years, and my response has always been and always will be: “I whole-heartedly believe there will always be a place for a community weekly newspaper.” After all, who else is going to tell our story.

I’ve had the privilege of telling the greater Brandon Valley community’s story for 21 years, first in my role at the Brandon Valley Challenger, which initially brought me here, and now nearly 10 years later, in my role with the Brandon Valley Journal.

It hasn’t been an easy road. For nearly the first two years of publication, we were unable to reap revenue from legal notices that are required to be printed by municipalities, counties, school districts, townships, etc. 

Not long after we gained that revenue, came the COVID-19 pandemic. To survive, Brandon Valley Media Group was one of the fortunate businesses to secure a $20,000 loan from the Brandon Development Foundation, which we have since paid back in full.

With COVID, came rising costs. The cost of newsprint went up in price as national borders, like Canada, were closed down. And once the borders reopened, the cost of newsprint remained at that elevated price.

Twice-a-year postal increases have also been difficult. The South Dakota NewsMedia Association and our “sister” Associations across the U.S. have been working hard to keep these costs within reason and our products delivered in a reasonable amount of time. But in July, we will receive yet another increase.

The last four months have been challenging. More than likely, you’ve seen our “Help Wanted” advertisements in the Journal and the Trader, and during this time, I've interviewed a number of people interested in the position, but repeatedly was turned down in my job offers. I am excited to share that moments after posting a request for help to keep the Brandon Valley Journal and Trader rolling off the press, I received word that a young man from New Ulm, Minn. – Isaiah Miller – will be joining our staff next week.

Of course, there’s going to be a learning curve. He will need time to acclimate himself to the world of weekly newspaper and shopper publishing, to an entirely new community, not to mention a new state, and his first job since graduating with a degree in marketing and management in December of 2025 from the University of Iowa, the very same school that Brandon Valley football standout Hudson Parliament departed for earlier this year after graduating at midyear.

Here is my hope for Isaiah. I hope he is successful in helping our community business partners to develop effective – and affordable – marketing campaigns. I hope you will welcome him with a friendly smile, a sincere handshake, and of course, a “Yes, we’d like to do that” response in his sales proposals. I know our community business partners can’t always say “yes,” but I must share that last week when I received a two-word response, “not interested” for a one-time-a-year ask from a major retailer in our community – a business that I’ve patronized for 21 years – it hurt. 

And no fault to the employees of this major retailer who called last fall to ask if I would give some notoriety to a fundraiser they were doing, my response was, “I sure will.”

And for 21 years, that’s largely been my response.

By now, it’s likely you saw my story on KELO and DakotaNews Now, or heard my interview with Ben & Patty from KKRC radio on Monday morning. They all reached out to me after seeing the the “Go Fund Me” account I set up earlier this week. And as difficult as it was to humble myself when I hit the “let’s go live” button, sharing my story with fellow newsmedia platforms, I hope, has not only opened eyes of the need to support local journalism – that is, if you want us around – but that residents and businesses in communities throughout South Dakota will think twice before giving a “not interested” response. 

I will never be able to thank everyone enough for your support, whether it be through advertising or subscribing to the Journal, or most recently, donating to help keep our doors open.

There’s a song that comes to mind: “I (we) get by with a little help from our friends.” And so, to my fellow business community, please say “yes” when your budgets allow.

Just imagine, if every business in this community committed even $200 each month to marketing their business with us – in print or digital – I can guarantee you that the Brandon Valley Journal and BV Trader will continue to roll off the presses for decades to come.

In most humble appreciation,

Jill Meier, editor