"Student Journalists Save Small Iowa Towns' Local Newspapers from Closure"
Facing the threat of closure, two small Iowa towns' local newspapers, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun and the Solon Economist, have found a lifeline in the form of an unexpected solution: transferring ownership to the University of Iowa's student paper, The Daily Iowan. This innovative approach marks a new trend in the journalism industry, offering hope for sustaining small-town papers in the face of declining advertising revenue and digital media dominance. The collaboration not only provides financial support but also brings in fresh perspectives and technological skills, while offering students valuable real-world experience in rural journalism.