Albuquerque Tribune

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 12:52pm on Thursday, December 18th, 2008

On February 20, 2008, the Albuquerque Tribune published its own epitaph:

The Albuquerque Tribune will publish its final edition Saturday, ending a buoyant and sometimes bare-knuckled presence as the city's afternoon newspaper.

E.W. Scripps Co., The Tribune's Cincinnati-based owner, today said the U.S. Department of Justice -- which had closely monitored a six-month effort to sell the newspaper -- was aware of the decision to cease publication of the 86-year-old Trib.

The newspaper's 38 editorial employees were told of Scripps' decision by Editor Phill Casaus in a staff meeting this morning.

"It's a difficult day, but there is a lot to celebrate about The Tribune, and I don't think that's limited merely to the people who work here or have worked here," Casaus said.

The Department of Justice was required to monitor the sale or closure because it oversees the newspaper's joint operating agreement with the Albuquerque Journal. The agreement has allowed the papers to share certain business functions while operating independent newsrooms.

Scripps announced in August it would sell or discontinue publication, saying it had determined the Albuquerque market couldn't support an afternoon newspaper.

The Trib's daily circulation in January was about 9,600, Casaus said. In 1988, the newspaper sold about 42,000 copies a day.

"The loss of The Albuquerque Tribune is profoundly sad for the community, its dedicated staff, and all those great journalists who have contributed over the years to the newspaper's outstanding reputation for editorial independence and excellence," said Rich Boehne, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Scripps.

"As The Tribune passes into history, we take some solace in the knowledge that Albuquerque and New Mexico are better places to live today thanks to the newspaper's commitment to community service," he added.