In Pittsburgh, we don’t just weather change; we lead it.
Ours is a city forged in the heat of the mills and built on a foundation of grit and resilience that defines us to this day. While the era of a daily newspaper arriving at every doorstep every morning has evolved, the hunger for stories that connect us—and the need for local accountability—has never been more vital.
The recent announcement that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will cease operations on May 3 marks a somber milestone for a storied institution. We share the loss of such a historical pillar. However, in the wake of this news, a narrative has begun to take hold—here at home and across the nation—that Pittsburgh is destined to become a “news desert.”
I am writing to you today to say, quite clearly, that we do not agree with that assessment. And we would not let that happen.
In direct response to a surge of outreach from readers, elected officials, and business owners, Trib Total Media is prepared to step forward. We are going to show the rest of the media world how the Steel City bands together to protect its stories and create a new, sustainable model for journalism.
Beginning Saturday, May 9, Trib Total Media will launch the Pittsburgh edition of the Tribune-Review, a new weekend print publication of general circulation dedicated to providing original, local reporting focused specifically on the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
We want to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to stay connected in the format they choose. To that end, this edition will be available for mailed home delivery and for sale at retail locations and newsstands throughout the region. For those who prefer a digital experience, we also will offer this edition as a comprehensive e-edition. This is our immediate commitment to keeping the tradition of weekend print journalism alive in our city.
This new publication is powered by the deep, existing roots we already have planted in this region. Trib Total Media is a locally owned, independent company whose headquarters are based in Allegheny County. The Trib currently serves numerous communities in the county and the City of Pittsburgh through its flagship website, TribLive.com, and printed products that include 11 weekly and monthly publications. Our newsroom, composed of more than 80 dedicated journalists working out of three regional offices—including on Pittsburgh’s North Shore—produced nearly 20,000 original news, opinion, and sports stories last year alone. With a digital reach of more than 550,000 Allegheny County residents and 3.5 million unique monthly visitors to TribLive.com, we have a robust foundation to ensure local storytelling continues without interruption.
To support this expanded mission, we are preparing to grow our newsroom in a thoughtful, financially sustainable way. We are actively seeking to bring on the kind of talent and expertise that will help us meet this moment for our region, ensuring our growth is as permanent as it is impactful.
The work begins in earnest today. Over the next three and a half months, our leadership team will meet with elected officials, fellow news organizations, business leaders, and—most importantly—our readers. Our goal is to listen and to pragmatically build a model for sustainable journalism that can serve as a blueprint for the country.
We are proud of our city, we are proud of our journalists, and we are honored to serve you. We will provide frequent updates as our plans evolve, but for now, please know that we are here, we are invested, and we are committed to ensuring the stories of Pittsburgh continue to be told.
