MENOMONIE (November 20, 2024) – Congratulations! You are reading the first issue of Menomonie News Net and we’re excited to share the story behind its creation.
It began in 2022 when an episode of 60 Minutes highlighted the alarming loss of local newspapers across the country and the negative impact on communities. For weeks after watching, I kept asking myself, “Is this what’s happening in Menomonie?”
That fall a group of people – both journalists and community members like myself -gathered in the back room of a local café to discuss the state of local news. Several of us left that meeting committed to continuing the conversation.
And so began the journey that has led to this newsletter, with two years of discussions, Zoom calls, coffee meet-ups, community forums and presentations. As a group, we learned about the concept of “news deserts,” identified gaps in local news coverage, and brainstormed ways to address the growing need for reliable, accessible news in Menomonie.
We started calling ourselves The Local News Group and began hosting “Where’s the Local News?” forums, inviting the community to join the conversation. Our mission? To help area residents find trustworthy, accurate and up-to-date local news.
By the summer of 2023, after exploring various models, we made a pivotal decision: to pursue nonprofit status. Inspired by The Whitewater Banner, a nonprofit online news outlet in southern Wisconsin, we became a component fund of The Community Foundation of Dunn County. This step opened doors to donations and grant funding, bringing us further along the path.
Our goals became clearer as we met in retreat – fill the gaps in local news, promote citizen journalism and support existing news sources. But how could we make this happen?
More answers came from a survey we conducted in the spring of 2024, which asked local residents, “Where do you get your local news?” The results were eye-opening. The over 400 respondents said Facebook and word of mouth, confirming what we had suspected – we had a lot of work ahead of us, but local residents were willing to help.
A spark of inspiration came from the Twin Cities suburbs of Eden Prairie and Woodbury, which had faced similar challenges with the loss of local newspapers. We learned they were using a model we were considering – nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-led local news. Encouraged by their success, we reached out for support and guidance and discovered there’s a wide network of people willing to help. These organizations have mentored us, providing invaluable support toward taking the next steps.
And now, we’re proud to announce the launch of Menomonie News Net – an online newsletter, built by and for our community.
What makes Menomonie News Net different? Unlike traditional print newspapers, we’re offering a weekly online newsletter – free to all and accepting donations. Our focus will be on local news from the city, county, towns, schools and nonprofit/civic organizations. We’ll work in collaboration with other news sources, offering republishable stories. While we plan to build a small paid editorial and tech staff, most of our efforts will continue to be volunteer-driven, just as they have been from the start. There will be plenty of opportunities for community members to get involved.
We’re still charting this journey and we’re grateful for those who have supported us so far, whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are just joining now.
Together, let’s help build a more informed, engaged and connected Menomonie!
Becky Kneer, a retired RN, has worked in military, teaching, and community health settings, calling Menomonie home for over 40 years.
