In the upcoming general election, Morton County voters will decide which of two local newspapers will be designated the official county newspaper. The contest includes the family‑owned Morton County News Journal and the Lee Enterprises‑owned Morton County Mandan News, both of which already publish legal notices and community news.
Why the designation matters
The official county newspaper is the legally recognized outlet for publishing legal notices, public announcements and official proceedings. Holding that status gives a paper a steady stream of public‑record advertising and positions it as a trusted third‑party record for citizens.
Arguments from the News Journal
Jill Friesz, owner of the Morton County News Journal, argues that the print medium is far from dead. “People say that the print product is dying and I would highly disagree with that, because if you look at our subscription numbers, we probably have… I would say 80 % of our readers are print subscribers,” she said.
Friesz adds that her paper’s deep community presence is a key advantage. “We are in the communities every day. We have two offices, one here in Mandan and one out in New Salem, and we are at the sporting events, we’re at the different activities in the summer and we’re always somewhere, always doing something,” said Ann Estvold, managing editor of the News Journal.
Lee Enterprises’ perspective
The Morton County Mandan News, owned by Lee Enterprises, already holds the official designation. Ben Rogers, president of the Dakota region for Lee Enterprises, emphasized the role of public notice in accountability and transparency. “Fundamentally, the whole point of public notice is very much about accountability and transparency. Independent newspapers like us provide that third‑party public record that citizens know and trust and they have access to it,” he explained.
Rogers also highlighted the Mandan News’ long history, noting that the paper has served the region for 153 years. “Being the paper of record for the community is a huge portion of what we do. That gives us access and credibility when we cover different events in the community,” he said.
Ballot details
Both publications will appear on the Morton County ballot under their official names. Voters will be asked to select the paper they believe best represents the county’s interests and can reliably publish required legal notices.
The contest reflects a broader trend in North Dakota, where several counties—including Barnes, Cass, Dunn, McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Ransom, Slope, Walsh and Ward—also have contested newspaper races this election cycle.
What this means for residents
Choosing an official county newspaper affects where residents will see important legal notices, such as property tax assessments, public hearings and court filings. It also influences which outlet receives the steady revenue from those notices, potentially impacting the resources each paper can devote to broader community reporting.
Local stakeholders are encouraged to review each paper’s coverage, subscription options and community involvement before casting their ballots. The outcome will shape how Morton County communicates official information for the next election cycle and beyond.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
