Forum Communications buys seven Upper Midwest newspapers, expands regional reach

Forum Communications Co., a Fargo-based media company, announced Wednesday that it had acquired seven newspapers from Wick Communications, a move that will broaden the company’s presence across North Dakota and the surrounding region. The deal, effective Feb. 1, adds the Wahpeton Daily News, Hankinson News Monitor and Williston Herald in North Dakota; the Fergus Falls Journal in Minnesota; the Pierre Capital Journal and Madison Daily Leader in South Dakota; and the Sidney Herald in Montana to Forum’s regional news and sports network.

For Stutsman County readers, the acquisition matters less because none of the titles are based in Jamestown or Valley City. But the expansion reshapes the regional news market that residents use for statewide coverage, high school sports results and advertising reach. Forum’s plan to integrate the papers into its broader newsroom and sports operations means readers can expect more cross-market reporting and shared multimedia coverage across the Upper Midwest once the transition is complete.

Media consolidations like this typically produce two immediate effects for local audiences. On the positive side, shared resources can bolster reporting capacity on regional topics such as state government, energy markets and high school athletics—areas where pooled reporting budgets and centralized sports desks can deliver deeper, more consistent coverage. Advertisers in Stutsman County may also gain access to larger regional packages, increasing circulation reach for ag businesses, retailers and event promoters.

On the other hand, consolidation can reduce some hyperlocal coverage as editorial decisions and production are coordinated across multiple communities. Local advertisers and nonprofit organizations that rely on tight community placement and calendars should monitor any changes to classified layouts, print schedules or digital subscription terms once Forum completes operational integration on Feb. 1.

Forum’s acquisition continues a broader pattern of regional consolidation in the Upper Midwest. For readers in Stutsman County, the practical next steps are straightforward: watch for communications from local news outlets about subscription changes and distribution adjustments, and review any notices about staff or coverage reorganizations. Local civic institutions and schools should prepare to provide timely calendars and press materials to ensure their events remain visible in a more networked news environment.

As the deal moves into effect, the key question for local readers will be whether the expanded network improves regional reporting while preserving the neighborhood-level stories that matter in Jamestown and across Stutsman County. Expect announcements from Forum and the affected newspapers in the coming weeks, and keep sending local news tips and schedules so community coverage stays current.