newspaper
Cassville Democrat reels in 21 statewide awards
On Saturday at the Broadway Hotel in Columbia, the Cassville Democrat newspaper won 21 total statewide awards — including five first-place plaques — for calendar year 2025 work entered in the Missouri Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest.
Publisher’s View — Kyle Troutman: Can’t win ’em all
One of my favorite parts of the newspaper each week is at the tippy top of page 1A — the Gold Cup and number of years surrounding our claim to be Missouri’s Best Small-Town Weekly Newspaper.
Legacy lost
A 60-year-old publication started by the late State Sen. Emory Melton ceased operations on Thursday. Operating since 1966, the Advertiser in recent years mailed to more than 13,000 mailboxes for free in Barry County, providing a robust news product alongside advertising and other informational and special sections.
Publisher’s View — Kyle Troutman: Looming in optimism
It was 8:10 p.m. on Thursday in Cardiff, Wales, when I got the news. Three local newspapers and our press ceased operations — effective immediately.
Publisher’s View — Kyle Troutman: Big change, bigger benefit
A big change is happening today. After years — more than a decade — of offering a 100% free website, as of this morning, original content comes at a premium.
Kyle Troutman: Charting new territory
As we wrap up the first week of 2026, there’s a pep in my step. Maybe it’s enjoying the last bit of fall weather brightening my days. It could that the kids went back to school this morning and routines can fall back into place. Or, better yet, it’s more likely I’m excited about what’s to come in the next 359 days.
Kyle Troutman: Talking to ourselves
Walter Cronkite once said, “Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy; it is democracy.”
Kyle Troutman: Juxta-post
As it tends to do around Opening Day and as Spring approaches, our social media is receiving an uptick in attention, with two posts specifically driving engagement and conversation — though not all positive.
Bringing it home: Cassville Democrat wins Gold Cup from Missouri Press
The Cassville Democrat newspaper is once again the best small weekly newspaper in Missouri, accepting its seventh Gold Cup in 10 years on Saturday in Springfield. Kyle Troutman, owner and publisher of the Democrat, said hearing the paper’s name announced as Gold Cup winner was a powerful moment.
Kyle Troutman: Week-in and week-out
At about 2 pm. Saturday, I was suffering an onset case of clammy hands, a sweaty forehead and the inability to breathe normally.
