 First issue, 2001 | |
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Owner(s) | Pamplin Media Group |
| Publisher | Brian Monihan |
| Editor | Dana Haynes |
| Staff writers | 15 (newsroom total, as of 2017) |
| Founded | 2001 (2001) |
| Headquarters | 6605 SE Lake Road Portland, Oregon United States |
| Circulation | 35,000 (as of 2022) |
| OCLC number | 46708462 |
| Website | portlandtribune |
The Portland Tribune is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is part of the Pamplin Media Group, which publishes a number of community newspapers in the Portland metropolitan area. Launched in 2001, the paper was published twice weekly until 2008, when it was reduced to weekly. It returned to twice-weekly publication in 2014 and was again reduced to weekly publication in 2020. It was distributed free from its 2001 launch until October 2022, then becoming available only by paid subscription or purchase at retail outlets.
History
2000–2007
Portland businessman Robert B. Pamplin Jr. announced his intention to found the paper in the summer of 2000. The first issue of the twice-weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) paper was published February 9, 2001, joining The Oregonian, the city's only daily general-interest newspaper, and the alternative weeklies Willamette Week and The Portland Mercury. At the time, it was a rare example of the expansion of print news, in a time when many cities were seeing newspapers merge or go out of business. But its launch preceded a significant national downturn in advertising sales, which posed difficulties for a startup newspaper. Eleven months after its launch, the Tribune cut back on home deliveries. The newspaper was reportedly losing money faster than anticipated after its first year. By late 2006, its newsroom staff had been reduced to 27.
2008 to present
On May 5, 2008, the paper announced it would switch, effective immediately, to a once-a-week print format, with a Thursday print edition (in place of Tuesday and Fridays) accompanied by daily updates to its website. In July 2009, "difficult economic conditions" led to the layoff of two reporters and the resignation of its managing editor, resulting in a newsroom staff of 14.
In March 2014, the Portland Tribune resumed twice-weekly publication of its print edition, with reinstatement of a Tuesday edition, while continuing to publish a Thursday edition.
In January 2020, the Portland Tribune returned to once-weekly on Thursdays and online articles became limited to paid subscribers only. Publication of the print edition shifted from Thursday to Wednesdays in April 2020. In October 2022, publisher Mark Garber announced that the weekly newsprint edition, which had continued to be free, would change at the beginning of November to a paid product, available only to subscribers and by purchase at retail outlets. The last sidewalk distribution boxes were removed in 2023.
Coverage
The paper deals almost exclusively with issues local to Portland and the U.S. state of Oregon. The paper is known for its extensive coverage of local high school, college and professional sports teams, with concentration on the NBA, Pac-10, Big Sky Conference and West Coast Conference. A business section was added to the print edition in 2014, along with other coverage expansion, including health and fitness content and more regional coverage.
The Tribune sponsors the annual Portland Regional Spelling Bee for middle school students. The champion participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
See also
References
- "Pamplin Media Group: Media Kit 2022" (PDF). October 19, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ "Portland Tribune makes more cuts". Portland Business Journal. July 21, 2009. Archived from the original on July 28, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ Stevens, Suzanne (February 12, 2014). "Portland Tribune to add a second printed edition, adds business section". Portland Business Journal. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ^ Peel, Sophie (December 20, 2019). "Portland Tribune Will Cut Its Print Circulation from Two Editions Per Week Down To One". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ Garber, Mark (October 6, 2022). "Delivery changes coming for Portland Tribune". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- Rogoway, Mike (February 9, 2001). "Tribune hits porches, newsstands today". The Columbian.
- Redden, Jim (February 7, 2006). "Tribune marks five years serving Portland". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ^ Fost, Dan (August 1, 2001). "Twice-weekly Tribune making a run at Portland news market - Wealthy owner may be guarantee of staying power". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- Jaquiss, Nigel (January 9, 2002). "The Incredible Shrinking Tribune". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- Jaquiss, Nigel (January 30, 2002). "The incredible shrinking empire of Bob Pamplin: The struggling Portland Tribune is the least of his problems". Willamette Week. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- "Tribune enters next phase with daily newspaper on the Web". Portland Tribune. May 5, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- Geddes, Ryan (May 29, 2007). "Tigard teen goes out during semifinals of national spelling bee". The Portland Tribune. Retrieved March 19, 2014.