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Published in the Decatur Herald & Review on July 18, 2026
By Brier Dudley
When newspapers close, partisanship and lies grow Americans generally understand that losing local newspapers is bad for democracy and their communities.
They may take solace, though, in thinking people could still get traditional news from national outlets.
But that's not really happening, according to a distressing study published June 29 in Communication Research.
When people lose their local newspaper, the study found, they also consume less mainstream, national news.
Instead, they fill the void with more partisan sources, especially if they're liberals, according to the research by Jianing Li, assistant professor of communication at Rutgers, and Michael Wagner, director of UW-Madison's journalism school.
Instead of replacing good, local information with good, national information, they're replacing it with more ideological national information," Wagner explained.
It gets worse.
Americans without local newspapers who turn to partisan sources also are more likely to believe lies propagated by elites in their political party, increasing polarization and disagreement about what's true.
Wagner said much of the news from partisan, national sources is accurate. But it also includes a lot of inaccurate information.
So when someone's news diet is filled by those sources, it amplifies the degree to which they believe "things that aren't true that are said by their side."
"So Republicans tend to believe more false things that President Trump says, Democrats tend to believe more false things that Democratic politicians say," Wagner said.
People don't exclusively consume local newspapers when they're available. They get news from all manner of sources.
But the presence of local newspapers "has a moderation effect on the relationship between partisanship, media use and misperception," the authors wrote, after analyzing 2,063 news consumers in 295 counties.
This isn't to say local newspapers are a paragon. Of course, they aren't perfect and could do a better job of avoiding biased coverage.
But they generally strive for objectivity and have standards in place. They give people a more balanced sense of what's happening.
When local newspapers disappear, the research suggests, people become unmoored from traditional journalism and drift toward hazardous shoals.
"They're losing one of the sources that reports news in a way that takes competing sides seriously and treats them as more honest brokers," Wagner said, "whereas a lot of ideological news will treat one side with kid gloves and the other side much more skeptically."
Consider that in context with the spread of news deserts in the U.S. More than two newspapers a week are closing and more than half of counties now have few to no local news outlets.
No wonder voters are angry, dissatisfied and choosing more extreme candidates, with or without experience.
More than 50 million Americans no longer have local newspapers that kept them in the habit of using traditional, relatively balanced media to stay informed.
When that moderating effect is gone, it magnifies people's existing partisanship, and they turn to more partisan sources.
Wagner said people use their local newspaper not only to understand what's happening in their community, but because "it's a driver of consensus and helps people understand things they have in common."
When people interested in politics lose their local newspaper, "it just becomes a lot easier to say, well, why don't I just get my information from folks who tell me what I think is the right thing to think — and the people who don't think that way are dangerous and un-American and, you know, need to be stopped."
This complements recent Pew Research Center polls that found relatively few Americans feel well informed about important topics like economic and tax policy.
Fewer than half of Americans now count the news media as their major source of information on most major topics, like voting and elections or healthcare and vaccines, Pew found.
Other research established that places without local papers have more uninformed and unengaged voters, with many unable to name their mayors and other elected leaders.
It was also thought that losing newspapers increased polarization by pushing people to national outlets that emphasize partisan battles.
Li and Wagner draw an even clearer picture of what's happening to our news diets and how the local journalism crisis is degrading mutual understanding and civic discourse.
Local newspaper closures aren't just pushing people toward national sources. They're also pushing them, and the nation, off a cliff.
Dudley is editor of The Seattle Times Save the Free Press Initiative: bdudley@seattletimes.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2026 Media Contact Information: Aunt Millie's Bakeries Melissa Koeneman, director of marketing (260) 417-2581 mkoeneman@auntmillies.com
John F. Popp, President of Aunt Millie’s Bakeries
FORT WAYNE, Indiana — Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its President John F. Popp, who died on Friday, July 31, at the age of 94. A third-generation member of the family business, John’s leadership, optimism, faith, and unwavering commitment to people helped shape the company and its culture for more than four decades. John Franke Popp was born March 2, 1932, to Lucile and Les Sr. Popp. He grew up with his older brother, Les Jr., on Forest Park Boulevard in Fort Wayne and graduated from Northside High School in 1950. He went on to attend the University of Michigan, graduating in 1954, and entered the U.S. Army that same year. He served as a second lieutenant before returning home following his military service. John was offered an opportunity to begin a career as an analyst with T. Rowe Price, but his path ultimately led him back to Fort Wayne and the family bakery. At his mother’s urging, he returned home to join the business — a decision that would shape not only his own life, but the future of generations of the Popp family and Aunt Millie’s employees. Long before his career in baking, John developed a love for Lake Wawasee and water skiing, eventually becoming the Indiana state slalom water ski champion. It was at the lake that he met Esther Rolene, the love of his life. They married on June 19, 1960, and spent the next decades building a life together, raising two sons and creating countless memories with family and friends. Even with the demands of running a growing company, John made time for what mattered most, including cheering his sons on from the sidelines at their baseball and football games.
John F. Popp and his wife, Esther Rolene Popp
In 1967, John stepped away from the family bakery to pursue a career in real estate, where he developed the subdivisions of Devil’s Hollow, Manitou, Lakewood, West Hamilton Estates, White Loon, and Winding Brook. In 1980, he returned to Perfection Bakeries, where he helped guide the company through a period of significant growth and expansion. The company that would become known as Aunt Millie’s grew under his leadership into one of the largest family-owned baking companies in the United States. John viewed the people around him as an important part of that success. He loved being part of the team and was known for his optimism, encouragement, and genuine care for employees. His leadership was not simply about growing a business; it was about building an organization where people could grow, contribute, and feel that they were part of something bigger than themselves. A third-generation leader of the family-owned bakery founded in 1901, John was deeply committed to protecting and building upon the legacy established by his grandfather, John B. Franke. His influence also reached beyond Aunt Millie’s. He was a passionate advocate for independent bakeries across the country, working with industry organizations to strengthen and protect family-owned businesses. He believed in the importance of education and workforce development and encouraged lifelong learning within the company while supporting the next generation of leaders in the baking industry. In recognition of his contributions to the baking industry, John was inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame by the American Society of Bakers and Engineers in 2021. He also served the state of Indiana after being appointed by Governor Mike Pence to serve on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. While John’s professional accomplishments were many, those closest to him knew that his faith and family were at the center of his life. He cherished Bible Study Fellowship and worshiped at The Chapel and Wawasee Lakeside Chapel. He was quietly generous and found joy in serving others through organizations including the Euell Wilson Center, Women’s Care Center, and Ratio Christi. John enjoyed spring breaks in Florida, trips to Maine, his ’61 Corvette, and working on projects at the lake. He appreciated the simple pleasures of life, but most of all, he loved his family. His greatest legacy will not be measured solely by the company he helped build, but by the family he loved, the people he encouraged, the lives he touched, and the values he carried with him throughout his life. “John Popp believed that success was built on people,” said Rick Brown, Chief Customer Officer. “He cared deeply about our employees, our customers, our communities, and the generations of families who have made Aunt Millie’s a trusted name. His leadership was defined by humility, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right.” John’s passing leaves a tremendous loss for the Popp family, the Aunt Millie’s family, and the many people and organizations whose lives he touched. While the company mourns his loss, Aunt Millie’s leadership team remains committed to carrying forward the mission, values, and legacy John championed throughout his life. Daily operations will continue uninterrupted as the company moves forward under its established leadership plan. The Popp family extends its heartfelt appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy and support received during this difficult time. Memorial service information will be shared at a later date. About Aunt Millie’s Bakeries Founded in 1901 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is one of the largest family-owned bakeries in the Midwest, serving customers across six states with fresh bread, buns, rolls, bagels, and other baked goods. For more than a century, the company has remained committed to quality, innovation, and serving the communities it calls home.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2026 Media Contact Information: Michael Korman, highway commissioner North Township Road District (847) 728-7055 mike.korman@northfieldtownship.com
Northfield Township Road District’s Phase II project placed in Group 1, the top tier, of MWRD’s 2026 Stormwater Partnership Program; construction could begin as early as 2027
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