Newspapers Are Alive and Well

Both of us have had opportunities to work with many media members over the years. And when an article crossed our computer screens regarding our guest, we were floored!

Bonnie Rutledge is the new owner/editor of a community newspaper in eastern Ohio, the Harrison News-Herald. Now, you may not consider that to be “news” - except when she is a “twenty-something”, local English teacher, taking over a newspaper that has been printing since 1815 – over 200 years!

Here's what we cover in this episode...

• Other papers have been purchased by large conglomerates or hedge funds – what would have happened if you hadn’t purchased your paper? Is a local paper the “soul” of the community
• Does democracy fall when local news is lost and/or shifts to “sides”?
• What are the challenges for those who own media, balancing news/advertising/profit versus the good of the community and fair reporting
• Is her role different in a smaller community than say the Columbus Dispatch is to Columbus? Or is it just scale/size
• What changes are occurring in media? 
• How is media different for different generations?
• How does social media affect her work?
• Any surprises since she purchased the paper?
• How can we afford to have local news? How can we afford to not have local news?

Bonnie Rutledge is the publisher and owner of the Harrison News-Herald, a local newspaper covering all of Harrison County, Ohio. The News-Herald, over 200 years old, has doubled its staff and increased subscriptions for the first time in ten years as a result of the new ownership. She is a '20 graduate from Cedarville University, teaches high school English, and manages rental properties alongside her husband Seth, a heavy equipment mechanic.

Bonnie's Website

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson