Print newspapers may be regarded as a dying medium in some circles, and indeed there are newspapers that are increasingly heavy on ads for commercial mortgage loans and light on content, but for many small cities and towns, the print newspaper is still very much a backbone of the community, uniting residents through local news and community events. Reading the local newspaper can be an excellent way to orient yourself if you've just moved into town, and a way to find common ground with your new neighbors and things to discuss around the water cooler with your new co-workers.

If you've just moved to Omaha, Nebraska, the bastion of local information and community spirit we're referring to is the Omaha World Herald. Though based in Omaha, the state of Nebraska is such a small community that the paper is circulated throughout. It is the primary source of news (even for sales on diapers or other products) for most of southwestern Iowa as well. At one time the Omaha World Herald circulated as far away as Kansas and Wyoming and reached into Colorado and South Dakota as well, but recently the rise of online news has reduced its range.

During its run of over 120 years, the Omaha World Herald has garnered numerous distinctions. It has been the largest employee owned newspaper (i.e. not owned by a conglomerate with several newspapers in other cities and a strapping machine manufacturer on the payroll), the newspaper with the largest percentage of residents in its home area to subscribe, and the last newspaper in the country to continue printing both morning and evening editions. The paper has also received three Pulitzer Prizes: for photography, editorial writing, and public service.

Though the World Herald persists in being a traditional print paper, technological advanced have not passed it by. Its headquarters - a 16 story office building in Omaha dubbed the "Freedom Center" contains some of the most advanced printing presses in the world. The paper also has branched into the internet, operating the website Omaha.com, which is the region's most popular website. Its pages are viewed millions of times each month and over 300,000 people, from locals to a lawyer in Ontario, have registered with the website (which is necessary for accessing some content and for posting comments).

The Omaha World Herald's popularity can be attributed to its coverage of everything deemed important to its readership. This includes local news and community events for Omaha and other Nebraska communities as well as human interest articles on subjects such as how to sell used jewelry and when to plant your flowers, international and national news, weather, sports, entertainment, and of course comics. There's also a business section and a marketplace where businesses and private citizens can advertise items for sale.