By Chris Nelson, Owner of Nelson Media Company and The Osage Oracle
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of stepping into a role that means a great deal to me personally — ensuring Osage and Mitchell County continue to have their own hometown newspaper. When Nelson Media Company purchased the Mitchell County Press News, rebranding it as The Osage Oracle, our goal was simple: to save a local institution from closing and to strengthen community storytelling right here where it matters most.
Since word got out that we were working to preserve a newspaper in Osage, I’ve been moved by the outpouring of positivity and encouragement. So many people have expressed excitement about seeing local journalism thrive again. But like any major change in a small community, not everyone has seen it the same way — and that’s okay.
Let me be perfectly clear: our goal at The Osage Oracle is not to divide this community or to create an “us vs. them” mentality. We believe there’s plenty of room for strong local journalism in Mitchell County. Our hope is to complement, not compete — to add to the great work already being done to inform, celebrate, and connect our residents.
At The Osage Oracle, our mission is to focus on hyper-local storytelling in Osage, Mitchell County, and the surrounding communities — with an emphasis on government, schools, and people. We want to highlight the stories that truly define who we are — told in what we call “the feature story” way: rich, human-centered storytelling that connects readers to their neighbors and their community.
Additionally, we plan to bring a much stronger digital presence that aligns with the way younger generations engage with news today. From e-editions and social media coverage to online features and video storytelling, we want The Osage Oracle to be accessible to everyone — from long-time print readers to those discovering local news on their phones. Our goal is to make sure people of all ages feel informed, connected, and proud to be part of this community.
Competition, when done right, makes everyone better. It raises the standard, it drives creativity, and it ultimately benefits the readers — you, the people of this community. That’s what makes our country great.
So, as we move forward, I hope you’ll see The Osage Oracle not as a replacement or a rival, but as a renewed voice for Osage and Mitchell County — a partner in sharing the stories that make this place special. Together, we can make sure every corner of the county is seen, heard, and celebrated.
This is about unity, not division. About storytelling, not rivalry. And most importantly, about keeping local journalism alive and strong for generations to come.
— Chris Nelson
Owner, Nelson Media Company & The Osage Oracle