Case assignment: Weekly News publisher’s back story

On a morning stroll along the marina, it would be near impossible not to admire the panoramic views around you. With snow-capped mountains to the east and a channel pouring out into a bay to the west, this picturesque town is a well-known treasure of the Pacific Northwest. La Conner, Washington is an art-fueled community that is home to the longest continuously published weekly newspaper in the state. The La Conner Weekly News fights to keep printed newspapers alive in a world of laptops and smartphones.

Ken Stern publishes and owns of The La Conner Weekly News. He began this journey in 2016, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Stern had not expected his life to completely change course at the age of 62. He was managing a non-profit startup that was going to close due to a lack of funding. Soon to be unemployed, he knew he did not want to be stuck tending bar.

He decided he wanted to own a newspaper and entered an essay contest to win one from a publisher unable to sell his in Vermont. The contest collapsed from too few entries, but Stern could not get the thought of owning a newspaper out of his head.

Opening up Google on his laptop he searched “weekly newspaper for sale.” After looking far and wide for the perfect paper, he found The La Conner Weekly News. Its owners, Sandy Stokes and Cindy Vest, were looking to retire. Never having heard of La Conner, Stern decided to visit in March 2017.

“What really struck me was that there are no traffic lights,” he said.

Surprised by the small town’s tourist businesses and flourishing art community, he made the leap and purchased the newspaper.

While he minored in journalism in college, twice had columns in school newspapers in graduate school, writing book reviews for one, and had freelanced over the decades, he had never had a staff position as a reporter. But he persevered to continue the newspaper’s legacy of publishing every week.

Comprised of only a four wage staff, The La Conner Weekly News is one of the smallest for-profit independent newspapers in the state. It works as a voice for the community, especially at a time like now when people need it most. Small traditional newspapers are disappearing at a faster rate than ever before due to social media and online platforms.

“It is a 20th century business in a 21st century world,” Stern reflected.

Additionally, COVID-19 has not helped keep his business afloat. Due to mandated closures and restrictions, businesses in La Conner are not getting enough foot traffic. This leads to reduced advertisements, Stern said.

However, even with the lack of tourism in a tourist town, the La Conner Weekly News continues its weekly publishing schedule. There is no shortage of stories to cover and he wants to keep providing insight to the community as he sees it.

“I feel really fortunate to have the newspaper because I get to be myself 100% every day,” he said. “The role fits me like a glove.”