Newspaper remains vital, relevant source of info

Newspapers remain relevant, especially when it comes to local news on the homefront.
If that sounds like a self-serving intro, then so be it during a National Newspaper Week celebration in which the Aurora News-Register joins thousands of publications across the land that remain committed to covering the communities they serve.
Fact is, readership remains high for your News-Register, though the format through which readers and viewers get their ANR fix has changed in recent years. This week’s celebration comes on the heels of our e-newsletter debut and other content changes, so it seems more timely than ever for your local co-publisher to hit the pause button and reflect on the meaning of it all.
More and more people get their weekly publication online with our e-edition format, and a whole new generation of younger readers, and people of all ages for that matter, are using their phones for quick and easy access to breaking news, feature stories and video highlights from their hometown and/or school. It matters not to us whether you prefer the printed edition in your favorite chair or the digital version on your computer or phone, but it is important you know that local, relevant news is available to you here in Hamilton County.
As co-publisher of this newspaper, I obviously have a biased opinion on this topic, but the results of a recent survey of 1,000 adults from communities across the U.S. reached the same conclusion. Ninety-three percent of respondents said their local newspaper informs them; 81 percent said it provides valuable local shopping and advertising info; 83 percent said it’s their main source for local news in the household; and 66 percent said they use the hometown newspaper to research candidates running for local office.
The demographics of weekly newspaper audiences may surprise some. Millennials now make up 30 percent of all local newspaper readers, according to a study conducted for state newspaper associations. GenXers make up 50 percent of our audience, making newspapers a valuable print and digital advertising option.
With politics and social media dividing our nation in so many ways, this independently-owned local newspaper remains committed to keeping our finger on the pulse of our community, your community, providing objective news coverage from local sources. 
We’re all about local, local, local — a time-tested news formula for what people care about most.
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net