This column was originally published on Mark Trahant’s Substack on January 16, 2026
Mark Trahant
Friday, Jan. 16, Newsrime
Once it was fun to say ‘stop the presses’
Nowadays that idea only depresses
We recall the days of newspaper glory
Lakota Times will always be a great story
I hate to see any newspaper go away. Amanda Takes War Bonnett-Beauvais posted on her Facebook page:
Lakota Times is printing their last issue this week and will close shop. I just want to thank Connie for her endless work she did in keeping the newspaper afloat and giving our community that communication stepping stone. She has been trying to find new energy for it but had no takers. It’s a little tough for me today, as that was my baby when we started it 2005 up until we left it in her loving hands. Maybe, there is still a chance someone will take the helm. Regardless, Connie did a great job and prayers of strength for her as she moves forward.
The Lakota Times shares a history with Indian Country Today.
In the spring of 1981, Tim Giago launched Lakota Times as an independent newspaper. Then about a decade later he changed the name to Indian Country Today to reflect is growing national audience. Then he sold the paper to the Oneida Indian Nation and it moved to New York State.
In 2005, Amanda Takes War Bonnett-Beauvais led another version of Lakota Times. Indian Country Today (then under Oneida) objected, saying they “owned” the name Lakota Times, so she changed the name to Lakota Country Times. Local news for both Pine Ridge and Rosebud.
A funny story. When I was editor of Indian Country Today in 2019, Tim Giago called and asked if he could use the name Lakota Times again. (He was publishing another paper, Native Sun News, which is still going.) I researched and discovered that in Oneida Indian Nation’s transfer of assets related to Indian Country Today there was nothing written about Lakota Times. I told Tim that I didn’t think we owned the name, so yes, he was free to use it, at least in my opinion.
About a month later, Connie Louise Smith called and asked the same question. Same answer. I don’t think we own it. Do what you want. She changed the masthead that week.
Tim called again, furious. “Why did you let her do that?” I laughed. “Tim, I told her the same thing I told you, we don’t own it. She just acted quicker.”
Newspaper rivalries are the best.
Protecting sources
How does a journalist protect sources when the Trump Justice Department is willing to search a reporter’s home for private notes? The pretext was finding a source who leaked classified information.
From The Washington Post:
In a note to The Post’s staff Wednesday, Executive Editor Matt Murray said the publication was informed that neither Natanson nor The Post is the target of the FBI investigation, which was aimed at a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials. “Nonetheless, this extraordinary, aggressive action is deeply concerning,” Murray wrote.
He followed up later in the day to say “we are continuing to vigorously defend our journalists and our work.” He added that the publication is working to schedule refresher sessions to reinforce proper source and reporting practices.
That last line is critical. What practices do reporters follow, a routine. Early on in my career I was told that keeping notes was not a good idea. Get rid of them on a regular basis. The pack rat in me could not do that.
I have had a couple of tests when I worked for The Arizona Republic, some four decades ago. Both involved former Navajo Chairman Peter MacDonald, Sr.
The first time he filed a libel suit against me. I still had all the notes and went over them with attorneys for the newspaper. But that case didn’t go very far because a judge dismissed it because MacDonald was a public figure. The second time was for his criminal trial. Federal prosecutors subpoenaed me but I let them know I didn’t possess any notes at that point. (What I didn’t say, is that I sent them all to an archive. They easily could have dug them up.) I traveled to Prescott where his trial took place, but once on the stand, the lawyers for the Republic were able to get me excused. So I never had to say anything.
Over the years a few reporters have asked me to hold sensitive notes for them. Most of that material is now in an archive as well.
A Podcast history
Speaking of media, a shout out to my colleague on the Indigenous House channel, Jade Begay and her program, “Jaded.” This week she interviews Dallas Goldtooth. It’s worth a watch (or a listen). I am especially fascinated by the conversations about media literacy — a critical notion these days.
Have a good weekend.