What Happened to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette?

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette traces its origins to July 29, 1786, when it was first published as The Pittsburgh Gazette, making it the first newspaper west of the Allegheny Mountains. Over its long history, it underwent several name changes and consolidations, notably merging with The Pittsburgh Post in 1927 to form the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette under the ownership of Paul Block. The Block family, through Block Communications Inc., maintained ownership for nearly a century, establishing the paper as a cornerstone of Pittsburgh journalism.

In the 21st century, like many traditional newspapers, the Post-Gazette grappled with significant industry challenges, including declining advertising revenue and changing reader habits. This led to a gradual reduction in its print frequency, moving from daily publication to five days a week in 2018, then to three days in 2019, and eventually settling on two print editions per week (Thursdays and Sundays) by March 2021, while maintaining a daily online presence. Concurrently, the paper's editorial stance shifted, becoming more conservative, particularly after its editorial pages were consolidated with The Blade of Toledo, Ohio, in 2018.

A major turning point was a protracted labor dispute with the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, which began in 2017 when their collective bargaining agreement expired. The union went on strike in October 2022, accusing Block Communications of unfair labor practices, including unilaterally changing health insurance benefits and declaring an impasse in negotiations. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and subsequent federal appeals court rulings, including a November 2025 decision by the Third Circuit Court, largely sided with the union, ordering the Post-Gazette to restore the terms of the 2014 labor agreement. The striking workers returned to work in November 2025.

Following these legal setbacks and citing over $350 million in losses over two decades, Block Communications Inc. announced on January 7, 2026, that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette would cease operations on May 3, 2026. This news sparked widespread concern about Pittsburgh becoming the largest U.S. city without a local newspaper. However, a last-minute agreement was reached on April 14, 2026, when the Baltimore-based nonprofit Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, publisher of The Baltimore Banner, announced its acquisition of the Post-Gazette's assets.

The sale, which became effective May 4, 2026, ensured the newspaper's continued publication under a new nonprofit model. The Venetoulis Institute pledged to maintain the Post-Gazette's newsroom and local business leadership in Pittsburgh, while combining other functions with its Baltimore operations. In late summer 2026, the Post-Gazette confirmed its return to new offices on the North Shore, at The Cascade building, signaling a fresh start in a modern, digitally-focused environment. The paper continues to be recognized for its journalistic excellence, winning numerous awards in 2025 and 2026, including the top award in its division for features journalism for a fifth consecutive year and the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association's Professional Keystone Media Sweepstakes award.