After 240 years, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has announced it is ceasing operations in early May.
In a release sent to the media, the P-G said it’s last publishing date is May 3.
Owned by Block Communications, the company says its lost over $350 million operating the Post-Gazette.
"Despite those efforts, the realities facing local journalism make continued cash losses at this scale no longer sustainable," a statement from the P-G reads.
The Post-Gazette blames a recent court decision that sided with formerly striking newsroom union workers.
“Recent court decisions would require the Post-Gazette to operate under a 2014 labor contract that imposes on the Post-Gazette outdated and inflexible operational practices unsuited for today’s local journalism,” the P-G said in a statement.
Block Communications says they regret the decision to close and that they understand it will have a deep impact on the Pittsburgh region.
“The Block family is proud of the service the Post-Gazette has provided to Pittsburgh for nearly a century and will exit with their dignity intact,” the statement says.
The news appeared to catch many reporters off guard, with one telling KDKA Radio employees were notified roughly 45 minutes before making the announcement public.
Longtime sports writer and former columnist Jason Mackey posted on “X”, Proud of the work we've done. Proud of what this place has meant and the “people I/we have gotten to follow to try our best to uphold the tradition. Don't care about your religion, politics or level of Pirates anger. This sucks.”
The first Post-Gazette was published in 1786.
Block Communications recently shuddered the weekly Pittsburgh City Paper after the first of the year.