North Platte's Keith Blackledge: Lessons from a Community Journalist

Popular culture glorified newspapers in the 1970s, creating a kind of mythical community newspaperman--like Keith Blackledge, longtime editor of the North Platte Telegraph. In his editorials and columns, he praised, scolded, cajoled, teased and encouraged readers. He provided a civic connection while also, mostly behind the scenes, working to make the town better. Blackledge's story resonates today because it's also about the evolution of newspapers. The editor's career spanned a time when ...