Big news, yinz! Both local media outlets once owned and nearly ended by Block Communications Inc. have something to celebrate today.
Nearly all the former staff of Pittsburgh City Paper met back in the office this morning, just as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced new nonprofit ownership under The Baltimore Banner.
- Pittsburgh City Paper, a free alt-weekly founded in 1991, was purchased by BCI in 2023 and abruptly shut down last New Year’s Eve. In March, editor Ali Trachta announced plans to recall most of CP’s editorial staff for a relaunch under a new for-profit company called Pierogi Press LLC, which is owned by the new Pittsburgh-based nonprofit LocalMatters and supported by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism in Philadelphia. Today marks City Paper’s first day back at work in a new space in Squirrel Hill. They say monthly print issues and a revamped digital experience are coming soon.
- The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is recognized as one of the nation's oldest newspapers. Its legacy dates back nearly 240 years, and the last 99 were under the stewardship of the Block family. Employees had endured a three-year work strike, the dissolution of multiple unions, and long stretches with few raises and minimal hiring — and that was before BCI told staff on Jan. 7 the paper would cease operations May 3. The Baltimore Banner is a nonprofit news outlet owned by the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism. They say the PG will retain its name, core leadership, and two print publication days. According to a release, the newsroom will likely “start smaller” than the Banner’s current 95 staffers. The PG newsroom currently stands around 100. Financial details haven’t been disclosed.
- Members of the Newspaper Guild called on the new owners to uphold union contracts and bargain in good faith. The Guild is still pushing for legal liabilities the PG has already incurred.
Does this mean Philly and Baltimore are the good guys now? 🥴
Want to learn more? Check out our podcast episodes about the bombshell closure announcement, and rumors we heard along the way.
Plus, we have an exclusive bonus segment just for City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors about the Block family and their antics over the years. If you're a Neighbor, you can hear it in your ad-free podcast feed in our April 10 episode. If you're not a member, you can sign up for this and future bonus segments (plus local meet-ups, swag like our new parking chair hat (!!), and more) over here.
