Two northshore newspapers stop the presses

The decline of newspaper readership, and the papers themselves, continues.

A couple of small northshore newspapers reflect the decline of that industry.
 

St. Tammany News, which publishes The News Banner and the Slidell Sentry News, says it will print the last editions this Wednesday.

The two community papers have been covering much of St. Tammany Parish and surrounding areas since the mid-1970s. When they fold, 24 positions will disappear with them.

"It marks a loss to the community," says Larry Lorenz, Loyola Mass Communications Professor Emeritus. "It's a darn shame that it's happening, but it's almost inevitable."

He says newspapers have been in decline over the last century. And, he's not surprised, as folks just aren't reading newspapers that much anymore.

"They need circulation in order to attract advertisers," says Lorenz. "I think the newspaper business is fading and something else is going to replace it."

He says he's not sure if digital is the answer. The growing number of people using smartphone applications and social networking presents a challenge to marketing professionals who have navigate that sea of content to conduct effective advertising campaigns.

Of course, there's always broadcast.

But, as for the future of print..."Well, I think the newspaper industry is in trouble," Lorenz says. "Certainly the paper part of the newspaper industry is in trouble. And that's all across the country."

The newspapers' parent company, Arizona-based Wick Communications, started the Slidell paper in 1975 and purchased the News Banner a year later.

The two newspapers operated independently until 2005, when they combined staffs following Hurricane Katrina.

The CEO of the parent company said the 24 employees will get severance and help in finding jobs elsewhere.

The company has other newspapers in LaPlace, Bogalusa and New Iberia that will remain in operation.