Am I Crazy for Starting a Newspaper in 2025?
By Shawn Larson
Let’s be honest—when people hear I’m launching a local newspaper in 2025, the most common response is somewhere between a raised eyebrow and a full-blown chuckle. “A newspaper? Now?” they say. “Isn’t print dead?”
But here’s the thing: I get it. On the surface, starting a newspaper in the digital age does sound a little… unconventional. Maybe even a little crazy.
And yet—what’s really crazy is letting our communities drift without a voice, without public accountability, and without connection.
The Real Madness: What Happens Without One
We’ve seen it happen. A town loses its paper. Suddenly:
- City council meetings go uncovered.
- Local businesses lose affordable, trusted advertising options.
- Neighbors stop hearing about neighbors (except negative things on social media).
- And slowly, the sense of community starts to fade.
That’s not progress. That’s a vacuum—and big chains, outside media, and misinformation are more than happy to fill it.
We’re Not Starting a Newspaper—We’re Starting a Movement
The ETX Bell isn’t just ink on paper. It’s a modern, community-focused publication built from the ground up to combine:
- Print + Digital
- News + Social
- Legacy + Innovation
We’re telling stories that matter here—in Bullard, Whitehouse, Troup, and the towns in between. We’re celebrating the local businesses that built this place. And we’re reminding people that where you live still matters.
What’s Actually Crazy?
So maybe I am a little crazy. But in a world full of empty clickbait, untrustworthy headlines, and megacorporate algorithms, I think it’s crazier not to have a local paper.
Crazier to let your town get absorbed into the background.
Crazier to give up on community altogether.
Join the Cause
If you’re a reader, a resident, or a business who believes that local still matters—join us. Read, advertise, contribute, share your story idea or just stop me in the street and say, “You’re the crazy newspaper guy, right?”
I’ll take it. Because bringing back community is exactly the kind of crazy this world needs.
