The Kewanee Voice is inviting its readers to take part in a new readership satisfaction survey designed to better understand how local residents use and value their hometown news source. The survey, which takes only a few minutes to complete, will help guide future coverage, strengthen community connections and ensure the nonprofit newsroom continues meeting the needs of Kewanee and Henry County readers.
The timing is intentional. The results will be compiled and revealed on Local News Day, a first‑of‑its‑kind national day of action set for Thursday, April 9, dedicated to reconnecting communities with trusted local journalism.
Local News Day is led by a coalition of journalists, nonprofit leaders and media innovators—including Montana Free Press, the American Journalism Project and Press Forward—working together to strengthen and sustain local news for generations to come.
The Kewanee Voice’s mission has always centered on providing reliable, accessible reporting for the community it serves. The survey will help the newsroom identify what readers value most, what topics they want expanded and where improvements can be made. It will also offer insight into how residents consume local news, whether through the website, social media, newsletters or other platforms.
Paula Kapacinskas, marketing consultant for The Kewanee Voice, said the survey is an important step in shaping the newsroom’s future.
“Local news only works when it reflects the people it serves,” Kapacinskas said. “This survey gives our readers a direct voice in what we cover and how we grow. It’s one of the simplest but most meaningful ways to support community journalism.”
To mark Local News Day, The Kewanee Voice will host an open house at its downtown office on April 9. Community members will be invited to meet the staff, tour the newsroom, enjoy refreshments and enter a drawing for a prize. More details about the event will be announced in the coming weeks.
Local News Day aims to remind communities across the country of the essential role local journalism plays in civic life. For The Kewanee Voice, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate its readers and to listen closely to what they need next.
