Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
Where in the state are you located: Nevada, between Kansas City and Joplin on I-49, and 20 miles from the Kansas border.
Who owns the newspaper:
Rust Publishing MOKS LLC.
In addition to publishing a newspaper, what other services do you provide: We have a print shop and a 6-unit Goss Community press with SC folder for commercial jobs. We also have two digital Konica printing presses and all the small add-ons to provide print products.
Newspaper’s circulation: 835.
Number of issues per week/publication days: Four, publishing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Number of full-time and part-time staff:
6 full-time and 5 part-time.
Population of the town and county:
Nevada: 8,300 County: 19,800.
Is your community growing, declining or holding steady: Steady to very slight decline.
Your greatest challenge (Mike): Finding cost effective ways to keep equipment running, even after product and parts are no longer sold by [original equipment manufacturers.]
Your greatest challenge (Chris): Trying to keep expenses as low as possible and our machines running.
Newspaper’s biggest strength (Mike): This is an all-in-one shop with extremely flexible staff.
Newspaper’s biggest strength (Chris): We have a very good staff willing to multi-task.
Newspaper’s biggest obstacle to overcome (Mike): Maintaining subscribers among an aging population and finding content that’s appealing to a younger demographic that goes to the internet for all their content.
Newspaper’s biggest obstacle to overcome (Chris): Keeping subscribers excited about the newspaper. Getting young people to be readers.
Your family (Mike): Single, but my twin brother works in press/production.
Your family (Chris): Married for over 40 years with three boys and enjoying life with the wife.
