“This is something that no newspaper wants to do but we are being forced to do this by the United States Postal Service (USPS),” Editor Craig Franklin said speaking about subscription increases set to begin in just over two weeks.

Starting on July 1, subscriptions for The Jena Times Olla-Tullos-Urania Signal will increase an average of 19%. Although that is not close to the over 30% increase in postage that the USPS has enacted in just the past two years, the increase will help to offset the additional costs.

“Our newspaper has not had a subscription rate increase in many years and each year the postal service continues to go up on what they charge for us to mail our newspapers to our subscribers,” Franklin said. “At the same time, we understand that any increase is hard on readers which is why we elected not to go up the full 30% at this time.”

Franklin’s displeasure in the postal service is being sounded by many others in the newspaper industry, especially in light of the recent actions of the Postmaster General Louis DeJoy when he announced recently that the USPS will enact another rate increase on July 9.

“These increases are punitive and misguided,” stated National Newspaper Association President John Galer. “USPS is betting the farm on its ability to become a primary carrier of commercial packages but I am telling the USPS: This is a bad bet. For newspapers, seeing our postage go up by 30% in two years at a time when publishers are looking at USPS as a possible delivery partner is a flashing yellow light. We may no longer be able to count on this delivery partner.”

Franklin agreed and said not only are newspapers looking at other delivery partners but the rate increases from USPS do not match their service.

“Let me be clear at this point,” the editor said. “We have no issues with our local post offices. Most of these employees and postmasters are our friends and we do not have any problems locally. But once they leave our local post offices, we have encountered many issues. Mainly, people not receiving their papers from outside of LaSalle Parish.”

Not only are the higher postage fees responsible for the subscription increases, but Franklin noted other factors as well.

“We have also had increased costs from our printing press contractor due to increased prices in materials and supply chain issues since the pandemic, but as everyone knows, inflation during the past two years has affected everything,” the editor said. “We never like to increase rates, especially since we just recently purchased the newspaper, but I do hope everyone understands the reasoning. We would also encourage everyone to check around and you will see that our rates, even with the new increases, are much lower than other newspapers that are even smaller in size than us.”

The new subscription rates for LaSalle Parish’s newspaper, along with the former rates are as follows: Inside LaSalle Parish, 6 months, currently $22; July 1st – $28.

Inside LaSalle Parish, 1 year, currently $35; July 1st – $45.

Inside LaSalle Parish, 2 years, currently $60; July 1st – $75.

Outside LaSalle and Inside Louisiana, 6 months, currently $28; July 1st – $35.

Outside LaSalle and Inside Louisiana, 1 year, currently $45; July 1st – $55.

Outside of Louisiana and Inside USA, 6 months, currently $38; July 1st – $43.

Outside of Louisiana and Inside USA, 1 year, currently $55; July 1st – $65.

All subscriptions for the print edition of the newspaper include a free online subscription that allows readers to enjoy their paper on their digital devices.

The newspaper does offer an online e-edition only of the paper (no print issue mailed) for the low cost of $35 for one year. This rate will not increase on July 1st.