Yorkton’s two longtime community publications — Yorkton This Week and the Yorkton Marketplace — now have a new local owner. Grasslands News Group, a Saskatchewan independent newspaper publishing company, has acquired both titles from Glacier Media, with the transition going into effect January 1, 2026.
For Yorkton readers and advertisers, the announcement marks a significant moment in the local media landscape. The two publications have served the region for decades, providing everything from local news and sports coverage to classifieds, features and trusted advertising platforms. Grasslands News says that legacy will continue — and strengthen — under its ownership.
“We know how important This Week and the Marketplace are to Yorkton and the surrounding area,” said Grasslands News Group Publisher Chris Ashfield. “Our goal is simple: to support strong, consistent local journalism and ensure Yorkton continues to have reliable community news for years to come.”
Grasslands News is owned by three longtime prairie community newspaper publishers with deep roots in local journalism. Ashfield, based in Whitewood, brings more than 35 years of experience in the newspaper industry. He is joined by Manitoba publishers Greg Nesbitt, who has over 40 years in community newspapers, and Ryan Nesbitt, who brings more than 20 years of industry experience. Grasslands News was formed in 2013 with a specific goal: to sustain and strengthen community newspapers across the Prairies through local ownership and long-term commitment.
Grasslands News, which has its main office in Melville, publishes the Melville Advance, Fort Qu’Appelle Times, Whitewood & Grenfell Herald Sun, Indian Head–Wolseley News, Kipling Clipper and Quad Town Forum. With the addition of Yorkton’s two titles, the group will now publish eight community newspapers, extending its reach across eastern Saskatchewan. The acquisition also brings Yorkton’s two weekly newspapers back under local ownership.
Ashfield emphasized that the transition will focus on stability, expanding and enhancing local news, and reinforcing the importance of local ownership. He said readers will continue to see the local faces and local stories they’ve come to expect — not only from Yorkton, but from surrounding communities as well.
“Yorkton has a deep tradition of community reporting,” he said. “We want to build on that. Our approach has always been collaborative — sharing resources across our newsrooms while keeping strong local identity and autonomy.”
What readers and advertisers can expect
As part of the transition, Grasslands News says several changes and enhancements will roll out in the months ahead.
Readers can expect more local news coverage not only from Yorkton, but from across the entire Grasslands coverage area. This expanded regional approach will result in noticeably thicker newspapers with higher overall page counts.
Advertisers will benefit from increased opportunities to reach new and expanded markets. Grasslands News plans to offer flexible advertising options that allow businesses to target specific publications or run across multiple markets at affordable rates.
Online subscriptions will also be introduced. Yorkton This Week will operate under a paid digital subscription model, while the Yorkton Marketplace will remain free to access online.
In addition, local stories and features from both publications will be posted to the Grasslands News website, expanding digital reach while continuing to support the print editions that remain central to the company’s community-first model.
The acquisition means Yorkton’s publications will now be part of a broader regional network, creating opportunities for expanded coverage, joint features and improved support for editorial and advertising staff.
Glacier Media representatives said the sale aligns with the company’s ongoing shift in its publishing portfolio and expressed confidence that Grasslands News will continue the strong community service the Yorkton papers are known for.
Ashfield said the company is grateful for the trust shown by Glacier Media and looks forward to becoming part of Yorkton’s community fabric.
“Yorkton is a vibrant city with a proud history,” he said. “We’re excited to grow with the community, support its stories and make sure its voices are heard. This is a very positive step for local journalism — and for Yorkton. It not only brings communities together, keeps people informed and ensures local voices are heard, but it is also the only permanent record of history for our communities. Our goal is to make sure Yorkton never loses that.”
