ELLSWORTH – RiverTown Multimedia plans to merge several of its print publications and launch a new digital membership model, the (Ellsworth) Pierce County Herald announced Wednesday.
The print mergers will reduce eight RiverTown newspapers — four in Wisconsin and four in Minnesota — down to four print publications. All RiverTown newspapers will share a new website as well, rivertowns.net
The Herald will combine with the Red Wing Republican Eagle, which will then be known simply as the Republican Eagle. The merged newspaper will cover Ellsworth and Red Wing, as well as Pierce and Goodhue counties.
In Hudson, RiverTown’s other three Wisconsin newspapers — the Hudson Star-Observer, New Richmond News and River Falls Journal, will combine into one, the Star-Observer.
Additionally, the Woodbury Bulletin and South Washington County Bulletin in Minnesota will become the Bulletin, while the Hastings Star Gazette will remain unchanged.
The changes will begin Aug. 6 online and Aug. 7 in print. As part of their new digital membership model, RiverTown also will launch a paywall in October. At that time, digital-only subscriptions also will be available.
