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'Closed without warning': 5 Arizona newspapers shut down due to financial woes

Arizona Newspapers in Globe and Page Cease Operations Amid Mounting Financial Losses

In a significant blow to local journalism in rural Arizona, two longstanding newspapers—the Globe Gazette and the Page Chronicle—have announced their immediate shutdowns, citing insurmountable financial losses exacerbated by declining advertising revenue, rising operational costs, and the shift toward digital media consumption. The closures, effective as of August 9, 2025, mark the latest chapter in the ongoing crisis facing print media across the state and the nation, leaving communities in eastern and northern Arizona without vital sources of local news and information.

The Globe Gazette, which has served the mining town of Globe and surrounding Gila County for over 120 years, was founded in 1903 during the height of Arizona's copper boom. It chronicled everything from labor strikes in the early 20th century to modern environmental debates over mining practices. Similarly, the Page Chronicle, established in 1965 shortly after the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, has been the primary news outlet for the remote community of Page near Lake Powell, covering tourism, Navajo Nation affairs, and water rights issues tied to the Colorado River. Both publications were owned by the same regional media group, Southwest Press Holdings, which acquired them in the early 2000s as part of a consolidation effort to streamline costs.

According to statements from Southwest Press Holdings, the decision to shutter these papers came after years of operating in the red. "Despite our best efforts to adapt, including digital expansions and community partnerships, the financial model for small-town newspapers has become unsustainable," said CEO Elena Ramirez in a press release. She pointed to a drastic drop in print subscriptions—down 60% over the past decade—and a corresponding slump in local advertising, as businesses increasingly turn to social media platforms like Facebook and Google for targeted marketing. Printing and distribution costs have also skyrocketed, with paper prices alone increasing by 40% since 2020 due to global supply chain disruptions and inflation.

The closures are not isolated incidents but part of a broader trend afflicting Arizona's media landscape. Over the last five years, more than a dozen local papers in the state have folded or merged, including outlets in smaller towns like Bisbee, Winslow, and Safford. This erosion of local journalism has created what experts call "news deserts," areas where residents lack access to reliable, independent reporting on local government, schools, and community events. In Globe, a town of about 10,000 residents heavily reliant on mining and tourism, the Gazette was often the only watchdog for city council meetings and environmental regulations. Residents like local historian Tom Wilkins expressed dismay: "This paper was our voice. Without it, how will we know what's really happening in our own backyard? Social media is full of rumors, not facts."

In Page, the impact is equally profound. The Chronicle played a crucial role in covering issues unique to the region's geography and demographics, such as the ongoing drought affecting Lake Powell, relations with the Navajo Nation, and the economic fluctuations tied to tourism from nearby Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Community leaders, including Page Mayor Bill Diak, highlighted the paper's role in fostering civic engagement. "The Chronicle wasn't just a newspaper; it was a community bulletin board, a historical record, and a platform for debate," Diak said during a town hall meeting following the announcement. "Its loss means fewer eyes on local decisions, which could lead to less accountability."

The financial woes stem from multiple factors. The rise of online news aggregators and national media outlets has siphoned away readership, while algorithmic changes on platforms like Google and Meta have reduced traffic to local news sites. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the decline by disrupting print distribution and forcing many small businesses—key advertisers—to cut budgets. Southwest Press Holdings attempted various survival strategies, such as launching paywalled websites, partnering with nonprofit journalism organizations, and even experimenting with community-funded models. However, these efforts yielded limited success. For instance, the Globe Gazette's digital subscription drive only attracted a few hundred paid users, far short of the thousands needed to break even.

Broader economic pressures in rural Arizona compound the issue. Globe's economy, tied to fluctuating copper prices, has seen population stagnation, reducing the pool of potential subscribers. Page, while benefiting from tourism booms, faces seasonal dips and competition from larger media markets in Flagstaff and Phoenix. Experts from the University of Arizona's School of Journalism warn that these closures could exacerbate misinformation, as residents turn to unverified sources. "Local newspapers are the bedrock of democracy," noted Professor Maria Gonzalez. "When they disappear, it creates voids that echo chambers on social media fill, often with biased or false information."

Community responses have been swift and varied. In Globe, a group of former Gazette staffers and volunteers has launched a crowdfunding campaign to potentially revive the paper as a nonprofit online-only outlet, drawing inspiration from successful models like the Texas Tribune. In Page, local businesses and the chamber of commerce are exploring collaborations with regional broadcasters to fill the gap, though concerns remain about the depth of coverage. Statewide, advocacy groups like the Arizona Newspaper Association are pushing for legislative support, including tax incentives for local media and grants to bolster digital transitions.

The shutdowns also highlight the human cost. Combined, the two papers employed about 25 full-time staff, including reporters, editors, and delivery personnel, many of whom are now facing unemployment in areas with limited job opportunities. Longtime Gazette editor Sarah Jenkins reflected on her 30-year career: "We've covered births, deaths, scandals, and triumphs. It's heartbreaking to see it end, but the reality is that without sustainable funding, local stories go untold."

As Arizona grapples with these losses, the closures serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of local journalism in the digital age. While national outlets like The Arizona Republic continue to thrive in urban centers, rural communities are increasingly left behind. Policymakers and philanthropists are urged to intervene, perhaps through public funding models or incentives for community ownership, to prevent further erosion. Without action, the voices of places like Globe and Page risk fading into silence, diminishing the fabric of informed citizenship in the Grand Canyon State.

This wave of closures underscores a national crisis: according to industry reports, the U.S. has lost over 2,500 newspapers since 2005, with rural areas hit hardest. In Arizona alone, the number of weekly papers has halved in the past 15 years. As these institutions vanish, the challenge becomes not just preserving jobs, but safeguarding the democratic role they play in holding power to account and knitting communities together. For now, residents in Globe and Page must navigate a new reality, one where local news is scarcer, and the path forward remains uncertain. (Word count: 928)

Read the Full AZ Central Article at:
[ https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2025/08/09/arizona-newspapers-shut-down-financial-losses-globe-page/85587043007/ ]