PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will no longer cease publishing in May because it is being acquired by a nonprofit media group.
On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced that Block Communications Inc., the current owner of the paper, is selling it to the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, publisher of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Baltimore Banner.
The sale goes into effect May 4, the day after the paper was supposed to publish its final edition.
Mayor Corey O’Connor weighed in on the news, saying the announcement is good for the City of Pittsburgh.
“The more local news we have, the better,” O’Connor tells Channel 11. “It’s only going to further the conversations that we have and the stories we have every day.”
“For nearly a century, the Block family has been dedicated to public service in Pittsburgh,” said Stewart Bainum Jr., founder of the Venetoulis Institute. “We are honored that they trust us to continue this work.”
Block Communications has operated the publication since 1927, but announced back in January that the 240-year-old newspaper would cease operations on May 3.
“The Block family has worked to find the best possible source for responsible local journalism for the Pittsburgh region and we believe we have succeeded,” said Karen Johnese, Chairperson of Block Communications, Inc. “We are excited to hand our treasured paper over to such a committed and creative organization. We trust in their integrity and care for our community.”
The Post-Gazette will be the second news organization operated by Venetoulis, which founded the Baltimore Banner in 2022.
“We are committed to working with exceptional journalists, along with civic and business leaders across the region, to build a new future for local journalism in Western Pennsylvania,” said Bob Cohn, CEO of the Venetoulis Institute. “We are clear-eyed about the task ahead. We have learned in Maryland that this work takes time, discipline, and investment.”
Channel 11 talked to the Editor-in-Chief of the Baltimore Banner, Audrey Cooper about the big announcement.
“We are so excited,” Cooper tells Channel 11. “When the announcement went out in our newsroom, everyone was like ‘oh my gosh’ and cheers everywhere!”
While The Banner is a non-profit, The Post-Gazette will be subscription-based. For instance, The Banner has a $1 introductory rate for 6 months, and their articles are free at all local libraries.
“We really take very seriously our community connections,” Cooper added. “So, you can expect listening sessions; we’ll be very accessible, we’ll be out in the community. We want to hear what’s important to people.”
Newsroom and local business leadership will remain in Pittsburgh, while other functions will be combined with Venetoulis Institute. The Post-Gazette name will also remain unchanged.
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