The Santa Barbara News-Press, Southern California’s longest running daily newspaper, has sadly ceased publication. Ampersand Publishing LLC, the owner of the paper, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Friday. According to court records, the estimated assets are up to $50,000, while liabilities range between $1,000,001 and $10 million. Wendy McCaw, who has owned the paper since 2000, is the authorized agent for the bankruptcy.
Just a month ago, the News-Press made the transition to an all-digital format. However, if you visit their website now, you’ll find no new stories since Friday. It’s a disappointing turn of events for a newspaper with such a rich history.
In an email to employees, Managing Editor Dave Mason delivered the unfortunate news. He revealed that Wendy had filed for bankruptcy, resulting in the elimination of all their jobs and the halt of publication. The paper simply ran out of funds to pay its staff. Mason assured the employees that final paychecks would be issued once the bankruptcy is approved in court.
The News-Press has been a staple in the community for over 150 years. However, it has faced numerous challenges since McCaw acquired it from The New York Times Co. In 2006, several editors and a columnist resigned in protest of McCaw’s interference in the editorial process. This sparked a wave of departures from the newsroom, as well as a vote by remaining employees to unionize with the Teamsters.
The attorney representing Ampersand has yet to comment on the situation. It’s a difficult time for medium- and large-sized city papers in general, as they struggle with the loss of advertising revenue in the digital age. Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have recognized the decline of local media and have held hearings on the matter. However, legislation to support publishers against tech giants has yet to make significant progress.
It’s a sad day for journalism and the Santa Barbara community as they bid farewell to the Santa Barbara News-Press.
