FARGO (KFGO) – The south-central North Dakota newspapers that had been owned and operated by Tony Bender for nearly 30 years have been sold.
KFGO News reporter Ryan Janke and his wife, Tabitha, have purchased the Ashley Tribune and Wishek Star from Bender’s family, who took over after his death last fall.
Bender’s daughter, India, says Ryan Janke has been involved in discussions surrounding the newspapers since she took over publishing duties in March.
“He’s been thoroughly invested in the future of these newspapers,” Bender says. “So, I’m so tickled to see that somebody who worked so closely with my dad… is taking over.”
Janke plans to continue in his news reporting and anchoring responsibilities at KFGO. He’s a native of Wishek and joined KFGO News on a full-time basis three years ago. Janke assisted Bender in collecting news and writing for the two papers from late 2018 until Bender’s death.
“It’s a big deal to me,” Janke says. “It’s a paper I grew up reading, that my grandpa read every week. And Tony did a lot for me. I wouldn’t be sitting or (even) working here, if it wasn’t for Tony.”
Janke has a degree in communications from NDSU. He worked for Fargo Public Works for 13 years before joining Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo as a youth director before he was hired by KFGO.
Bender was also a columnist for Forum Communications at the time of his death.
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