By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net

In this digital age, printed newspapers may seem archaic and anachronistic. With 24-hour news channels blaring on the TV in the background, why subscribe to a newspaper that will have much of the same information a day later? Even local TV news stations often, but not always, run a story before the local paper does, so what’ s the point?

Local newspapers are more than just a source of information, outdated as they may seem. They provide more than just raw material for a paper-mache project or a lining for a bird cage. A local paper is one of the foundations of a community. It binds the people together by sharing their experiences, their victories and defeats, their highs and their lows.

And they’ve been doing it for 500 years.

A local paper is a living, breathing member of the community it serves. It is more than just a daily collection of ink and paper. The reporters who gather those stories are part of us. They live and work and play in the same towns we all do. And they usually have a pretty good idea of what’s going on. If they don’t know where the skeletons are buried, they know someone who does.

Even in the digital age, local newspapers still play an important role. A local paper focuses on what national and regional outlets, whether television, radio, or print, does not.

We can talk about newspapers in general, but instead, let’s talk about our newspaper specifically — The Morning Sun. Some may not realize this, but there has been a functioning newspaper in Pittsburg since its founding.

Founded by L.C. Hitchcock in 1879, the Pittsburg Exponent was first news publication in  Pittsburg, three years after the city was established. In 1881, Thomas P. Monfort purchased the Exponent, renaming it The Pittsburg Democrat.

In 1885, the Sears brothers founded The Pittsburg Headlight. The following year, they bought out the Democrat and became the Pittsburg Daily Headlight, publishing seven days a week. The paper’s ownership transferred to Clarence Moore, an early partner of the Sears brothers.

In 1915, Paul Jones established The Pittsburg Sun as a daily morning paper. Moore purchased the Sun in 1927, owning both Pittsburg newspapers, then sold them to Oscar Stauffer. In 1966, Stauffer merged the papers into the Headlight-Sun until 1973 when the name was changed to The Morning Sun.

Through this lineage, our local newspaper, in one iteration or another, is one of the oldest businesses in Pittsburg still operating, followed by Brennar Mortuary in 1883. Only the post office, established in 1876, is older.

Think about what that means for a second.

The paper has witnessed and reported on those events that define our character as a community. It saw the construction of iconic landmarks like the Besse Hotel, the Stilwell, and the Ramsay Building. It was there when the miners were killed in Frontenac; it was an eyewitness to the Amazon Army. It was there when Frankie and Annette filmed a Sonic commercial. It had a front-row seat when the Gorillas won their first NCAA Division II national championship in 1991.

Today's local paper is still invested in this diverse community. Its reporters still bring the readers the latest goings-on in the county, from the politics of commission and council meetings to the business of businesses. They are there for our celebrations and our failures. They tell the whole story, our story, to the best of their ability that is not just some 60-second sound byte.

A local paper captures a snapshot of a community’s life. It tells future generations who we were in that moment in time. That's how we, today, know about our past; how we all know those shared stories, that shared history.

A local paper is our collective memory; it’s our diary, full of the character that defines us as a community.

Without a local paper to tell OUR story, we get lost in the noise. Stories don’t pass down to the next generation. Over time, the stories are forgotten. Without that written record, we effectively cease to exist as a unique community; we just become part of the background noise.

Imagine a community without a reliable newspaper. History has shown that without a free and independent Fourth Estate (the press) to keep the Third Estate (the people) informed with accurate and unbiasedinformation, the First Estate (those who control politicians) and Second Estate (the politicians) tend to run wild and unchecked, much to the detriment of the Third.

Local newspapers cover local news. They do not overly concern themselves with national or world events unless they have a direct effect on local life. They keep tabs on local governments and keep people informed of what their elected officials are doing, good and bad. They also keep us in the loop about local festivals, area events, club meetings, sports, and other news that can be relied upon.

Without a local newspaper, we could not clip the article about our child’s school play or save the picture of them scoring the winning point; there would be no mention of a loved one’s passing; the joining of two families through a wedding; or a photo of child’s lemonade stand featured in the small business section.

Without a local newspaper, there is no story of us.

This is the moment to decide whether our local newspaper matters enough to save. If you read us, rely on us, or believe Pittsburg deserves independent local news, we are asking for your support now.

• Write a check to Support The Local Journalism Project, c/o the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, 100 South Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762.
• Or scan the QR code to donate online. Donations are tax deductible and go directly to supporting local reporters covering sports and news.

• Every subscription and every dollar helps keep reporters in the field and the newsroom open.

Pittsburg values its history, its institutions, and its sense of community. A strong local newspaper is part of that fabric, but The Morning Sun cannot continue without the people it serves. If you want local coverage of our schools, government, victories, challenges, and stories to continue, now is the time to stand with us.