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The Great Bend Tribune's Digital Pivot: 5 Key Changes Transforming Kansas's Local News Landscape

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The Great Bend Tribune, a cornerstone of journalism for Barton and Pawnee Counties in Central Kansas, has recently undergone a significant, strategic transformation in late 2025 to meet the evolving demands of the modern news consumer. This pivotal shift saw the storied publication reinvent its core distribution model, moving away from a traditional five-day-a-week print schedule to a more focused, three-day print run, while simultaneously prioritizing its robust digital platform. This change is reflective of broader trends in the newspaper industry, where local media companies are adapting to ensure the sustainability of high-quality community journalism.

Dating back decades, the Tribune has served as the essential source for local news, covering everything from the Barton County Board of Commissioners meetings to community events in Hoisington, Ellinwood, Claflin, and Albert. The new model, championed by Publisher Judy Duryee, is designed to enhance the focus on in-depth reporting and ensure subscribers receive the most comprehensive coverage, regardless of whether they prefer a physical paper or the convenience of a digital replica. This move guarantees that the paper remains a vital civic institution for the Great Bend, Kansas, area well into the future.

The Great Bend Tribune: A Profile of Ownership and Coverage

The Great Bend Tribune is not merely a local paper; it is part of a larger, privately-owned media organization that has maintained a consistent vision for community journalism for over half a century. Understanding its structure is key to appreciating its recent strategic pivot.

  • Newspaper Name: The Great Bend Tribune
  • Location: Great Bend, Kansas
  • Primary Coverage Area: Barton County and Pawnee County, Kansas, including the cities of Great Bend, Hoisington, Ellinwood, Claflin, and Albert.
  • Current Ownership: Morris Newspaper Corporation, a subsidiary of Morris Multimedia Inc.
  • Morris Multimedia Leadership: The Savannah, Georgia-based media company has been led by President Charles Morris since 1972, marking a 50-year partnership with the Tribune.
  • Key Personnel: Judy Duryee (Publisher).
  • Former Print Schedule (Pre-2025): Five days a week (Tuesday through Friday and Sunday).
  • New Print Schedule (Post-2025): Three days a week (specific days focus on maximizing local readership and advertiser value).
  • Digital Offerings: Unlimited access to gbtribune.com and the interactive E-Edition (digital replica).
  • Key Local Entities Covered: Barton County Courthouse, Great Bend Police Department, Great Bend Recreation Commission Foundation, and the City of Great Bend administration.

5 Major Changes Defining the Tribune's Future Strategy

The transition announced in late 2025 signifies a bold commitment to local news in a challenging media environment. These changes are not simply cutbacks; they are a calculated reinvention focused on resource optimization and digital growth.

1. The End of the Sunday Edition

One of the most noteworthy changes was the discontinuation of the Sunday print edition. The final Sunday edition was delivered in December 2025, marking the end of a long-standing tradition. This decision allows the newspaper to reallocate resources that were previously tied up in the demanding Sunday production and distribution cycle. The focus has now shifted to ensuring that the three remaining print days are packed with high-value, in-depth local content that readers cannot find anywhere else. The move is a strategic attempt to balance the heavy costs of print production with the growing efficiency of digital delivery.

2. The Shift to a Three-Day Print Schedule

The Great Bend Tribune moved from a five-day-a-week publication to a more focused three-day schedule. This change, which began in December 2025, is central to the Tribune's new distribution system. By reducing the frequency of the physical paper, the publication can dedicate more time and effort to producing higher-quality, investigative, and enterprise journalism for each edition. The new model is designed to provide "strong community journalism" while adapting to the economic realities of the modern newspaper business.

The new schedule allows the staff to concentrate on major local stories, such as the latest developments from the Barton County Board of Commissioners, updates from the Great Bend Airport Industrial Complex on water conservation measures, and key personnel changes like the promotion of Dustin Ferguson within the City of Great Bend administration.

3. Prioritizing the Digital E-Edition and Unlimited Online Access

The cornerstone of the Tribune’s future is its enhanced digital strategy. Subscribers to the print edition now receive a free, bundled digital subscription, which includes unlimited access to the gbtribune.com website and the interactive E-Edition. The E-Edition is an exact digital replica of the print paper, designed to work seamlessly on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. This digital-first approach ensures that news is delivered quickly and efficiently, with the E-Edition often posted by 4 a.m. on publishing days. This hybrid model recognizes that while many readers still value the physical paper, the demand for instant, 24/7 access to local news—from Great Bend Police Department reports on vehicle burglaries to the results of the annual Great Charity Giveback—is paramount.

4. Enduring Ownership and Local Commitment

Unlike many small-town newspapers that have been bought and sold in rapid succession, the Great Bend Tribune has enjoyed remarkable stability under its current ownership. It has been a subsidiary of Morris Newspaper Corporation, owned by Morris Multimedia Inc. and led by Charles Morris, since 1972. This half-century of continuous ownership demonstrates a deep and long-term commitment to the Great Bend community. Publisher Judy Duryee emphasized that while the publication dates are changing, the commitment to local reporting remains steadfast. This stability is a key differentiator, allowing the paper to focus on its mission rather than navigating frequent corporate restructures.

5. A Sharper Focus on Core Community Entities

The strategic changes allow the Tribune to sharpen its focus on the most critical entities and issues affecting Barton and Pawnee Counties. The newspaper continues to be the primary source for in-depth coverage of local government, including the Barton County Administrator Richard Boeckman and the Barton County Board of Commissioners. Key local institutions, such as the Great Bend Recreation Commission Foundation, which was a top recipient in the 2025 Giving Tuesday event, receive comprehensive coverage, highlighting the paper's role in promoting local philanthropy and civic engagement. By streamlining its print operation, the Tribune ensures its reporters can dedicate more time to covering the essential local entities that make up the fabric of Central Kansas life, from court proceedings at the Barton County Courthouse to infrastructure updates provided by Utilities Director Darren Doonan.

Sustaining Local Journalism in the Digital Age

The Great Bend Tribune’s strategic shift in late 2025 is a powerful example of how local newspapers are fighting to survive and thrive in the digital age. By moving to a three-day print schedule and embracing a robust digital-first model with its E-Edition and unlimited online access, the Tribune is securing its financial future while continuing its legacy of vital community service. The leadership of Morris Multimedia and Publisher Judy Duryee is positioning the Tribune not as a relic of the past, but as a modern, adaptable news organization ready to serve the people of Great Bend, Hoisington, Ellinwood, and the surrounding communities for decades to come. This evolution proves that local news, provided it is fresh, relevant, and strategically delivered, remains essential to civic life in Central Kansas.

great bend tribune
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