Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

In response to the economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, as well as the change in recent years as to how its readers consume community news and information, the Niles Daily Star will begin publishing two print editions each week — on Wednesday and Saturday.

While the Leader Publications, which produces the Niles Daily Star, Dowagiac Daily News, Edwardsburg Argus and Cassopolis Vigilant, has seen record traffic to its website and new print subscribers, many publications have experienced a decline in local advertising as non-essential businesses are closed and events are canceled.

“No matter the medium or publication cycle, informing our readers continues to be our top priority,” said Ambrosia Neldon, general manager. “The sharp increase in web traffic on leaderpub.com has indicated that more readers are consuming news digitally than ever before. Reducing print frequency enables us to meet our readers where they are and allows our news teams to focus their efforts on providing news online as it occurs.”

Readers will now be able to pick up a print copy of the Niles Daily Star and Dowagiac Daily News on Wednesday and Saturday, with increased page numbers in each issue. The Saturday Niles Daily Star will continue to contain the Edwardsburg Argus, while the Saturday Dowagiac Daily News will continue to contain the Cassopolis Vigilant.

Print and e-edition subscribers will receive the newspaper in their mailboxes or email inboxes on these days.

“Producing two editions each week will allow our staff to create more robust, community-focused newspapers, with all of the content readers have been used to getting in their newspaper, and even more,” Neldon said.

The cost of a subscription to the Niles Daily Star will remain the same. The cost of the newspaper in racks and at news dealer locations will be $1.50.

“We remain committed to covering all the news surrounding COVID-19 and how we recover as a community from this unprecedented pandemic,” Neldon said. “In these uncertain times, we are as committed as ever to serving you, and sincerely appreciate your trust and support of the Niles Daily Star.”