Brainerd Dispatch

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox newspaper

| name = Brainerd Dispatch

| logo = Brainerd Dispatch logo.png

| image =

| caption =

| type = Daily newspaper (except Saturday)

| format = Printed Wednesdays and Sundays; E-paper Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

| owners = Forum Communications

| founder =

| publisher = Pete Mohs

| editor =

| president = Bill Marcil, Jr.

| chiefeditor = Matt Erickson

| assoceditor = Renee Richardson

| newseditor =

| managingeditordesign =

| campuschief =

| opeditor =

| sportseditor = Jeremy Millsop

| photoeditor = Steve Kohls

| staff = 78 employees; 14 journalists, 2 photographers

| foundation = December 22, 1881

| political =

| language = English

| ceased publication =

| relaunched =

| headquarters = 506 James St.
Brainerd, MN 56401

| publishing_city =

| publishing_country = United States

| circulation = 5,886

| circulation_date = 2024

| circulation_ref = {{Cite web |title=Minnesota Newspaper Directory 2024 |url=https://mna.org/assets/2024/03/MNADirectoryMar2024.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315022205/https://mna.org/assets/2024/03/MNADirectoryMar2024.pdf |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=Minnesota Newspaper Association}}

| sister newspapers = Pine and Lakes Echo Journal

| ISSN =

| oclc = 18528608

| website = {{URL|http://brainerddispatch.com}}

| free =

| dirinteractive =

}}

The Brainerd Dispatch is a daily morning newspaper published in Brainerd, Minnesota. The newspaper was founded on December 22, 1881, and became a daily paper in 1883. In April 2004, the Dispatch became a morning paper. In July 2020, the publication switched to twice-a-week printing and delivery. The paper is owned by Forum Communications. The paper is published by Pete Mohs.{{cite web|url=http://morris.com/divisions/daily-newspapers/brainerd-dispatch |title=Morris Communications, Archived copy |accessdate=2013-12-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227124415/http://morris.com/divisions/daily-newspapers/brainerd-dispatch |archivedate=2013-12-27 }}{{Cite web|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn91059138/|title=Brainerd Dispatch|website=Chronicling America|publisher=Library of Congress|accessdate=January 24, 2020}}

History

The paper was formerly owned by Stauffer Communications, which was acquired by Morris Communications in 1994.{{Cite news |date=July 27, 1994 |title=Morris Communications buys Stauffer Corporation |work=Rome News-Tribune |agency=Associated Press |location=Augusta |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19940727&id=BQUuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9TIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6854,5982097 |url-status=live |access-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209064410/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19940727&id=BQUuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9TIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6854%2C5982097 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |via=Google News}}

On December 26, 2013, Fargo, North Dakota based Forum Communications Company entered a deal with Morris to purchase several newspaper properties owned by Morris Communications including the Brainerd Dispatch. The deal was set to be finalized on January 1, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/422050/|title=Morris Communications|website=inforum.com|access-date=January 24, 2020}}

On July 16, 2020, the Brainerd Dispatch newspaper did not roll off its printing presses for the first time in 137 years but was instead available to readers in a digital format.{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Chelsey |date=July 15, 2020 |title=Reduced print schedule begins for Dispatch, daily publication via digital e-paper to continue |url=https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/6574434-Reduced-print-schedule-begins-for-Dispatch-daily-publication-via-digital-e-paper-to-continue |website=Brainerd Dispatch}}

The printed paper continued its delivery Wednesdays and Sundays in the early morning hours for paid subscribers. But on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, its "e-paper" became the only way to view the publication's content, which still changes daily.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brainerddispatch.com/business/technology/6560715-A-brave-new-digital-world-for-the-Dispatch-How-to-view-and-use-the-features-of-our-E-Paper|title = A brave new (Digital) world for the Dispatch: How to view and use the features of our E-Paper| date=3 July 2020 }}

In June 2024, the paper announced it will close its local printing facility and shift production to the Detroit Lakes area.{{Cite web |last=Shea |first=Paul |date=2024-07-17 |title=Forum Communications Shifts Operations: Brainerd Printing Facility Closure |url=https://minnesotasnewcountry.com/closing-time-in-brainerd-as-newspaper-printing-facility-to-close-down/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=98.1 - Minnesota's New Country |language=en}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

{{Minnesota Newspapers}}

{{Forum Communications}}

{{Authority control}}

{{coord|46.358679|-94.218973|region:US-MN|display=title|name=D: Brainerd Dispatch}}

Category:Newspapers established in 1881

Category:Newspapers published in Minnesota

Category:1881 establishments in Minnesota

Category:Brainerd, Minnesota