Hit hard by a pandemic, a small KC newspaper prints a blank front page to send a message

The front page of Northeast News on Wednesday had no headline, no big story, nothing. “We got calls almost immediately,” said Michael Bushnell, editor of Northeast News. “Hey, I just wanted to let you know that there is nothing.” I hope you know? “” For 23 years, Bushnell has been reporting the stories that matter to the northeastern Kansas Citians. He said Wednesday morning edition could be the biggest story he has never printed. “This is what it looks like when a community doesn’t have a newspaper,” he said. Bushnell said this is an example of how COVID-19 has hit any business hard as a voice for the community could soon be silenced. The newspaper lost almost half of its business due to the pandemic. “We are embedded in our community. Community journalism is what we live for,” he said Jackson County Advocate closed its doors after 55 years. “It hits a punch in the stomach,” said Bushnell. He said that’s why he wanted to send a message that the community is important and that they need to find a way to support each other. “What if we do nothing? What if we don’t put something on the front page and send this message?” Bushnell said. The newspaper has been reporting on its own backyard for almost 90 years. Bushnell said the next 60 days could determine how long it will take to tell local stories. “At the moment everything is on the table. We don’t know what the next 60 days will bring,” he said, always free. Bushnell said he was considering other options. “This is repeated every day, not just in Kansas City, but across the state of Missouri and across the country,” Bushnell said. Bushnell said the newspaper did not qualify for the second round of the government’s paycheck protection program. He hopes to expand his digital presence to make up for the losses.

KANSAS CITY, Mon. – –

The front page of Northeast News on Wednesday had no headline, no big story, nothing.

“We got calls almost immediately,” said Michael Bushnell, editor of Northeast News.

“‘Hey, I just wanted to let you know that there is nothing, there is nothing on your front page. I hope you know that?'”

For 23 years, Bushnell has shared the stories that matter to the northeastern Kansas Citians. He said Wednesday’s morning edition was possibly the biggest story he’d never printed.

“This is what it looks like when a church doesn’t have a newspaper,” he said.

Bushnell said it was an example of how COVID-19 has hit any business hard and how a voice for the community could soon be silenced.

The newspaper lost almost half of its business due to the pandemic.

“We are embedded in our community. We live for community journalism,” he said.

Just a month ago, the Jackson County Advocate closed its doors after 55 years.

“It shoots a punch in the bowel,” Bushnell said.

He said that’s why he wanted to send a message that the community is important and that they need to find a way to support each other.

“What if we do nothing? What if we don’t put something on the front page and send this message?” Said Bushnell.

The newspaper has been reporting on its own garden for almost 90 years. Bushnell said the next 60 days could determine how long it will take to tell local stories.

“At the moment everything is on the table. We don’t know what the next 60 days will bring,” he said.

Paper has always been free. Bushnell said he was considering other options.

“This is repeated every day, not just in Kansas City, but across the state of Missouri and across the country,” Bushnell said.

Bushnell said the newspaper did not qualify for the second round of the government’s paycheck protection program. He hopes to expand his digital presence to make up for the losses.