The Anaconda Leader, a renowned twice-weekly newspaper serving southwest Montana for over 50 years, has permanently closed. The paper’s sudden shutdown reflects a growing trend among local news outlets struggling to survive amid financial pressures.
The final print edition was released Friday, shared editor James Rosien. In a statement on its website, owner Van Neitz attributed the closure to inflation and rising costs. Attempts by Montana Free Press to reach Neitz went unanswered.
Established in 1970, The Anaconda Leader also operated a commercial printing business and employed about six part-time staff, including two journalists, according to Rosien. The closure caught the staff by surprise.
Rosien expressed his disappointment, stating, “I was actually looking forward to writing up a piece on Sunday night’s A’s [American Legion baseball] game, when they had a big win over East Helena.” He emphasized the importance of local sports and community stories in the paper’s coverage.
The Anaconda Leader also covered significant events, such as the alleged murder case involving Michael Paul Brown, marking it as a pivotal news source during critical times in the community.
Rosien, who joined the paper in 2011, said he formed meaningful connections with the community: “Anaconda welcomed me, and they appreciated me. And I felt the same way and more,” he shared. While he hopes to continue covering Anaconda and southwest Montana, there are no concrete plans yet.
The challenges faced by The Anaconda Leader are mirrored across Montana, as other local papers, like the Valley Journal in Ronan and The Havre Weekly Chronicle, have also ceased operations. As reported by Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, most counties in Montana have only one or no local news outlets.
John Cribb of Cribb & Associates commented on this troubling trend, noting that many closures arise from economic changes and lack of local ownership. Rosien remains hopeful but realistic about the future of local journalism in Anaconda, expressing gratitude for the community’s support during The Leader’s operation.
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