The Kansas City Call Expands to Twice-Weekly Print
The Kansas City Call, a historic pillar of local African American journalism since 1919, is defying modern media trends by increasing its print schedule to twice a week. This strategic expansion aims to deliver more timely, relevant news to the Kansas City community while preserving the tangible legacy of print journalism. For local readers, this shift represents a major win for grassroots storytelling and community representation.
A Century of Trusted Local Journalism
Founded in 1919 by Chester A. Franklin, The Kansas City Call has served as a vital voice for the city’s Black community for over a century. During eras of intense segregation and social change, the newspaper documented stories that mainstream media overlooked, advocating for civil rights, economic justice, and community achievements. Legendary editor Lucile Bluford spent decades shaping the paper’s fierce, independent editorial voice, cementing its place in Kansas City history.
Throughout its history, The Call has remained deeply rooted in neighborhoods across the metro area, from the historic 18th and Vine District to south Kansas City. While other legacy publications have scaled back physical print editions or transitioned entirely to digital formats, The Call’s leadership believes that print remains a powerful and trusted medium. This expansion reinforces the paper’s commitment to keeping residents informed with reliable, physical copies delivered directly to their neighborhoods.
Breaking Down the Twice-Weekly Transition
The decision to publish twice a week addresses a critical need for timely local coverage. Weekly papers often struggle to cover fast-moving civic issues, such as city council decisions, breaking local developments, and high school sports, before they become old news. By printing twice a week, The Call can react more quickly to local events, providing fresh reporting when it matters most to community members.
Furthermore, this move provides local advertisers, particularly small and minority-owned businesses, with more flexible and frequent options to reach their target audience. In an era where digital advertising can feel impersonal and oversaturated, physical newspaper ads offer a high-trust environment. The expanded schedule allows the publication to balance breaking news with in-depth features, ensuring that neither lifestyle coverage nor hard-hitting investigative journalism is compromised.
Comparing the Publication Models
To understand how this transition changes the reading experience, here is a quick breakdown of the structural differences between the old single-issue format and the new twice-weekly schedule:
| Feature | Previous Weekly Model | New Twice-Weekly Model |
|---|---|---|
| Publication Frequency | Once per week (Fridays) | Twice per week (Midweek and Weekend) |
| News Timeliness | Delayed coverage of early-week events | Real-time tracking of local civic decisions |
| Advertising Opportunities | Limited print space with long lead times | More frequent spots with faster turnaround |
| Content Balance | High mix of regional and national news | Greater focus on immediate neighborhood stories |
What to Watch for Next
As The Call rolls out its new distribution schedule, Kansas City residents should look for changes in local distribution points. Subscribers will need to adjust to receiving their papers twice a week, while local businesses can expect new advertising packages tailored to the increased frequency. Additionally, observers are watching to see if this print expansion will be accompanied by an upgraded digital presence, creating a seamless multi-channel experience for younger readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How will this change affect current home delivery subscribers?
Current subscribers will receive both weekly editions as part of their ongoing subscription packages, though local delivery routes and timing may adjust slightly to accommodate the midweek run. - Where can I purchase individual print copies of The Call?
Single copies will remain available at established local newsstands, grocery stores, and community centers throughout the Kansas City metro area. - Will the newspaper also expand its online and digital reporting?
Yes, the increased print schedule is designed to work in tandem with a more active digital footprint, allowing breaking news to live online before being expanded in the print editions. - How can local businesses submit advertisements for the new editions?
Businesses can contact The Call’s advertising department directly to explore new multi-day placement packages designed for the twice-weekly format.
To support this historic step forward for local independent journalism, consider subscribing to The Kansas City Call or picking up the new midweek edition at your nearest local retailer to stay informed on the stories shaping our community.
Kansas City Call Expands to Twice Weekly Print
