This column is about how the newspaper industry sure has changed since I first got my feet wet at the High River Times in 2013.
I moved to the Border City after a 14-month stint with the Times to take on the role of sports editor with the Meridian Booster.
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The Booster was founded in 1959 by Byron Keebaugh, the father of one of our owners, Reid Keebaugh, who continues the tradition of print and online journalism with his business partner, Clark Wright.
I started at the Booster in June 2014. It was an exciting time, but the winds of change were clear as day.
At that time, the Booster building, located on Highway 16 across from the Esso/Husky House Travel Centre, still housed a printing press.
It was a behemoth and was slowly being dismantled to be sold to a company overseas. The smell of ink, however, still lingered through the walls of that old building. Walls that had as many stories as the old press that printed thousands of pages of news copy over the years.
My parents met while working at The Windsor Star, a daily newspaper in Windsor, Ont. So, needless to say, I grew up in this business and take great pride in the weekly edition of the Meridian Source. That pride is shared by our owners, Reid and Clark.
Running a community newspaper in this day and age isn’t easy. With the rise of digital platforms and social media, readers now have access to breaking news from around the world within seconds. Despite this fact, Reid and Clark know the value of a local newspaper and the integral role it plays in a community.
This shift to digital has changed how people consume information and where businesses choose to advertise, leading to challenges for many traditional print publications. Yet, in the midst of this transformation, community newspapers continue to prove their value — and in places like Lloydminster, their importance can’t be overstated.
Community newspapers such as the Meridian Source serve a vital role that larger national outlets simply can’t fill. They tell the stories that matter most to local residents — from city council decisions and high school sports to new business openings and community fundraisers.
These stories build connection and pride, helping residents stay informed and engaged with the people and issues that shape daily life.
We’ve taken many steps to adapt over the years and now share national and international stories through our ever-growing online platform.
We’ve always had a website, but our major push into digital started last summer. Since July 2024, meridiansource.ca has seen over 2.6 million views and accumulated 5.8 million user interactions. These numbers prove our worth, and we thank you, the reader, for being with us every step of the way.
Beyond sharing news, local papers help strengthen democracy and accountability.
When reporters attend council meetings, interview local leaders, or spotlight acts of kindness and achievement, they ensure transparency and foster a stronger sense of community.
The Meridian Source, for example, doesn’t just report on Lloydminster — it’s part of the city’s fabric, celebrating milestones, covering challenges, and giving a voice to individuals and organizations who might otherwise go unheard.
In an age of online misinformation and fragmented attention, the trust and credibility that community newspapers have built over decades are more important than ever.
Whether it’s in print or online, our mission remains the same: to inform, connect and represent the community they serve.
As the industry continues to adapt, the heart of local journalism beats strong in Lloydminster.
Community newspapers remain more than just a source of information — they are a record of the city’s shared history, spirit, and resilience.
This column was printed in the Meridian Source’s Oct. 9 special Evolution Edition.
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