Forum Communications Buys Seven Wick Newspapers Including Minnesota Daily, Expands Upper Midwest

Forum Communications has acquired seven newspapers from Wick Communications, a move that broadens the company’s footprint across the Upper Midwest and adds a Minnesota daily to its portfolio. The transaction, announced January 19, 2026, follows other regional media shifts this month and underscores ongoing consolidation in local news markets.

The purchase was reported by Forum News Service and published on the Bemidji Pioneer site. Forum’s expansion brings additional titles under the same regional ownership umbrella that already includes several Minnesota and regional papers. Company leadership framed the buy as part of a growth strategy to deepen local reporting and strengthen digital and advertising capabilities across neighboring communities. The deal also occurred alongside related Helmer and other regional transactions noted in coverage, signaling a period of reshaping among midwestern local media owners.

For Beltrami County readers the practical implications are immediate and measurable. Subscribers may see changes in subscription billing, bundled digital access, or alterations to print schedules as Forum integrates the new titles with its existing distribution and production networks. Local advertisers - from Main Street merchants to regional nonprofits - should anticipate adjustments in ad sales approaches and possible new bundled packages that leverage a broader Upper Midwest reach. Those shifts can broaden audiences for some advertisers but also alter local ad rates and negotiation dynamics.

Newsroom operations often change in acquisitions. Consolidation frequently brings shared services for copyediting, page design, and digital publishing, which can improve technical capacity while concentrating some administrative functions outside the county. At the same time, retaining strong local reporting remains a stated priority for Forum; the outcome will depend on staffing decisions that will be announced in the coming weeks. Readers concerned about beats such as county government, schools, local courts, and lakeshore development should watch for updates on masthead changes and reporting assignments.

Economically, the transaction reflects broader trends in the media industry where scale helps finance digital investments and subscriber retention strategies. For local economies, the effects are mixed: efficiencies can sustain struggling titles, but less local control can reduce tailored coverage of hyperlocal issues. Municipal officials and local organizations that rely on community coverage may need to engage proactively with new editorial teams to maintain visibility.

Next steps for residents include monitoring official notices from the Bemidji Pioneer and other affected titles for details on subscriptions, delivery, and staffing. Community leaders should track whether local coverage levels change and consider collaboration opportunities to ensure continuing attention to Beltrami County priorities. In short, the deal promises broader regional reach and operational changes - and how it plays out will shape local news and advertising across the area in the months ahead.