Publisher’s closure threatens 19 newspapers
By Edward Lynn
Editor
EAGLE GROVE, Iowa — Following an announcement that its parent company, Mid-America Publishing, is ceasing operations, The Eagle Grove Eagle, a fixture of Wright County journalism for more than 140 years, will end its print run next week unless a buyer emerges.
In a notice to employees, company President Matthew Grohe said Mid-America Publishing will shut down after years of financial strain driven by a deteriorating business climate and rising costs. The company’s final day of regular operations — and employees’ last day of work — is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2026.
“We regret to inform you that Mid-America Publishing will be ceasing all operations,” Grohe said in the statement. “This is a sad day for us and for everyone.”
Company officials said they are in discussions with multiple potential buyers who could take over publications and retain staff, but no agreements have been finalized.
The closure places the future of a total of 19 local Iowa newspapers in jeopardy, including the Eagle Grove Eagle, which has served its community since the 19th century, and recently closed its local office in an effort to prevent this outcome. Likewise, the Wright County Monitor in neighboring Clarion is also at risk of closure.
The remaining 17 publications seeking buyers are the Butler County Tribune & Clarksville Star, the Clear Lake Mirror Reporter, the Calmar Courier, the Eldora Newspapers, the Grundy Register, the Hampton Chronicle, the Holstein Advance, the Ida County Courier, The (Garner) Leader, the The Madrid Register, the The News-Review, the Ogden Reporter, the Parkersburg Eclipse News Review, the Postville Herald, and the Winnebago County Tribune. Most of these have a lineage that reaches back over a century.
Mid-America also published four advertising shoppers, The Bonus, the Ida County Reminder, the Shopper Review News , and the Wright County Reminder. These will be discontinued as well, unless sold.
Grohe emphasized that the closure is not a reflection of employee performance, telling staff “we have appreciated all the efforts you have expended on behalf of the company, your newspaper, and your community over the years.”
Grohe said worsening economic conditions for local media and steadily increasing operational costs have intensified in recent months, leaving the company unable to continue operating.
Aside from rising costs of materials, labor, fuel, etc. – which are tied to public policy – another political factor is threatening newspapers in general: an effort by Republicans in the Iowa Legislature to end the publication of public notices in newspapers. If enacted, the impact on the revenue streams of newspapers in Iowa, in general, would be significantly negatively impacted.
Unless a buyer is secured in the coming days, the Eagle Grove Eagle will join a growing list of local newspapers across the country forced to shutter, marking the end of an era for community journalism in Eagle Grove.
The company has offered to sell it’s archives of the Eagle Grove Eagle and the Wright County Monitor to local historical societies, for a reasonable cost.
