Cook County News Herald marks one year of printing changes

One year after transitioning to a smaller magazine-style layout and an in-house printing system, the Cook County News Herald is still adjusting to the change.

The shift from a traditional newspaper press to a Xerox printer in May of 2025 marked a significant operational change for the Cook County News Herald, one that many, including Editor Brian Larsen, are still getting used to.

“The last year at the Cook County News Herald has been an interesting year, to say the least,” Larsen said.

The past year has brought its share of challenges, surprises, and lessons as the newspaper continues to adapt to the new process. Larsen said the newspaper prints approximately 1,000 issues weekly for local mailers and for distribution to gas stations and retail shops. The out-of-county subscriptions and distribution are printed in Slayton, Minn.

Xerox printer at the Cook County News Herald | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Editor Brian Larsen displaying the style change for the Cook County News Herald in 2025 | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

“There’s quite a few challenges if the paper jams in our roughly 13- or 14-foot-long printer. Finding paper jams is interesting and hard,” Larsen said.

Without paper jams or mishaps, printing roughly 1,000 issues takes about six to seven hours, Larsen said.

Despite the occasional setbacks, Larsen says the new system has also brought benefits, including improved photo color and, at times, faster distribution.

“It’s a big learning process,” Larsen said. “I never thought I’d be a printer.”

The transition to the new magazine-style format was not only an adjustment for staff, but also for readers over the past year. When the change occurred last year, Larsen said opinions were divided, but over time he said many readers have come around.

“I think they just adjusted to it,” Larsen said. “It’s either this or it’s all online.”

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins sat down with Cook County News Herald Editor Brian Larsen to reflect on the past year of printing the newspaper in-house and with the new magazine-style layout. Audio below.

Kalli Hawkins July 5, 2026