NewsFirst expands with addition of another newspaper

CLEARWATER — The state’s newest newspaper — the Summerland Advocate-Messenger — has joined NewsFirst.

NewsFirst is a Hartington-based digital platform comprised of 15 northeast Nebraska newspapers.

It was created by the Northeast Nebraska News Company and the Norfolk Daily News in 2016 to showcase impressive content newspapers in the region produce on a regular basis.

Rob Dump, co-publisher of the Cedar County News, said NewsFirst meets an important need in providing trusted news content.

“When people click on the NewsFirst widget, or go to the NewsFirst website, readers will have accurate, and trusted news at their fingertips. We’re very proud of the impressive list of area newspapers we’ve assembled for this project.”

Besides the Cedar County News and Norfolk Daily News, other regional publications featuring NewsFirst include the Albion News, Coleridge Blade, Elgin Review, Holt County Independent, Humphrey Democrat, Laurel Advocate, Osmond Republican, Petersburg Press, Randolph Times and Wausa Gazette.

News First makes it easy for residents across Nebraska and the world to have access to articles and multimedia from the region.

Participating newspapers feature the News First widget on their home pages. Articles from member papers are posted on a regular basis.

“It’s a one-stop shop for local news,” said Cedar County news Co-Publisher Peggy Year.

News First also offers advertising opportunities for organizations and events. Through NewsFirst advertisers can completely cover the region from the South Dakota border to Albion and as far west as O’Neill.

Summerland Advocate Messenger Publisher LuAnn Schindler said joining the group was a no-brainer.

“We’re excited to be a part of such a respected group of newspapers.”

Dump said NewsFirst has really started to catch on around the region. Newspapers from other parts of Nebraska and even from other states have expressed interest in getting involved in such a platform, he said.