I live in the Minneapolis Saint Paul area. We have two competing daily newspapers. the Minnesota Star Tribune and the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. It will be interesting to see how much longer we will have competing daily newspapers in this area.
Based on research, including data often cited from the Pew Research Center's analysis of news deserts, only about 12 American cities now have at least two daily newspapers owned by competing, independent owners. This represents a sharp decline from the 1970s, when over 100 U.S. cities had competing daily newspapers.
Key Details on the Decline of Newspaper Competition:
Based on recent, up-to-date industry developments, both the Minnesota Star Tribune and the Saint Paul Pioneer Press are facing intense economic pressure, but they are currently adapting rather than vanishing.
Instead of one immediately swallowing the other, both are transitioning to a new model of operation, including outsourcing their printing, to survive in a digital-first landscape.
Here is the current status of both outlets as of early 2026:
Key Developments in 2025–2026
Will One Vanish?
While industry insiders have long speculated on a merger—or one entity buying the other—the current situation shows both companies trying to survive separately.
Based on research, including data often cited from the Pew Research Center's analysis of news deserts, only about 12 American cities now have at least two daily newspapers owned by competing, independent owners. This represents a sharp decline from the 1970s, when over 100 U.S. cities had competing daily newspapers.
Key Details on the Decline of Newspaper Competition:
- Monopoly Markets: In most U.S. cities, a single company owns all local daily newspapers, resulting in a lack of direct local print competition.
- Causes: The rise of the internet, declining print readership, and advertising revenue shifts to digital platforms have accelerated this trend.
- Impact: The reduction in competition is associated with less coverage of local and state government, reducing accountability.
- Consolidation: Large newspaper chains have continued to consolidate, with firms like Alden Global Capital buying multiple newspapers, reducing the number of independent, competing voices.
Based on recent, up-to-date industry developments, both the Minnesota Star Tribune and the Saint Paul Pioneer Press are facing intense economic pressure, but they are currently adapting rather than vanishing.
Instead of one immediately swallowing the other, both are transitioning to a new model of operation, including outsourcing their printing, to survive in a digital-first landscape.
Here is the current status of both outlets as of early 2026:
Key Developments in 2025–2026
- Printing Moved to Iowa: Following a trend of underutilized in-house facilities, the Minnesota Star Tribune closed its Heritage printing plant in Minneapolis in late 2025.
- Shared Infrastructure: The Pioneer Press, which was already being printed by the Star Tribune, will also move its printing to a Gannett facility in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2026.
- Different Ownership Paths:
- Minnesota Star Tribune: Owned by local billionaire Glen Taylor, the paper has been investing in its digital presence and expanding its reach, rebranding simply as the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2024 to emphasize a statewide focus.
- St. Paul Pioneer Press: Owned by the hedge fund Alden Global Capital (Digital First Media). It has experienced significant, long-term staffing reductions—dropping from over 200 reporters in 2006 to under 30 in 2023.
Will One Vanish?
While industry insiders have long speculated on a merger—or one entity buying the other—the current situation shows both companies trying to survive separately.
- Pioneer Press Future: Although smaller, the Pioneer Press remains profitable due to extreme cost-cutting, notes media analyst Ken Doctor. Its future depends on whether Alden continues to see it as a profitable investment or decides to divest.
- Star Tribune Position: The Star Tribune is acting as the aggressor in the market, investing in its newsroom and expanding its scope.
