Two long-time weekly newspapers in east central South Dakota have fallen victim, at least in part, to the coronavirus-caused economic downturn.
The “Lake Preston Times” and “The DeSmet News” both ceased publication this week after over one hundred years of continuous publication.
According to the South Dakota Newspaper Association’s 2018 newspaper directory, the “Lake Preston Times” had a circulation of 691 and The DeSmet News” had a circulation of 1,046. An editorial said the papers survived two world wars, the Great Depression, and numerous recessions. The Great Recession of 2008-09, the internet, social media, and COVID-19 pushed them over the edge.