Las Vegas Newspaper War Escalates as Review-Journal Stops Printing Rival Sun

The two papers have been locked in a legal dispute over their joint operating agreement.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:53pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of premium, polished newspapers representing the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background with dramatic studio lighting and deep shadows.The legal battle over the last joint operating agreement between rival Las Vegas newspapers reflects the broader challenges facing local news outlets in the digital age.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Review-Journal announced it will no longer print its rival, the Las Vegas Sun, amid an ongoing legal dispute over the nation's last joint operating agreement. The Sun plans to take the issue to court, arguing this will cause irreparable harm to the community. The Review-Journal editorial called the move a 'decisive victory' after years of litigation.

Why it matters

The end of the joint operating agreement between the two newspapers is the latest example of the 'long, slow goodbye of newspapers as we knew them.' It highlights the challenges facing local news outlets as they compete with digital sources and the consolidation of media ownership.

The details

Under the joint operating agreement, the Sun was required to be printed as a daily insert in the Review-Journal, while both remained editorially independent. A lower court had found the agreement unenforceable, and the US Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by the Sun. The Review-Journal said it will no longer 'foot the bill' for printing the Sun, encouraging them to produce their own newspaper.

  • The Review-Journal announced the change on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • The two newspapers will be in court on Friday, April 3, 2026, with the Sun hoping a judge will order printing to resume immediately.
  • Friday, April 3, 2026 will be the first day in 76 years that the Las Vegas Sun has not been printed.

The players

Las Vegas Review-Journal

The state's largest newspaper, owned by the Adelson family, casino magnates and mega GOP donors. Its editorials lean more conservative.

Las Vegas Sun

The rival newspaper to the Review-Journal, which has leaned more liberal in its editorial stance. It maintains a website and social media presence.

Leif Reid

The attorney representing the Las Vegas Sun.

Ken Doctor

A news business analyst who says the end of the joint operating agreement is part of the 'long, slow goodbye of newspapers as we knew them.'

Genelle Belmas

A journalism professor at the University of Kansas who says the loss of local news outlets means a 'loss of perspective and a loss of a potential alternative view.'

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What they’re saying

“This does irreparable harm to our community, as no one benefits when a local newspaper is prevented from being published.”

— Leif Reid, Attorney representing the Las Vegas Sun

“Every local news outlet we lose—and that includes big towns, small towns, whatever—is a loss of perspective and a loss of a potential alternative view.”

— Genelle Belmas, Journalism professor, University of Kansas

What’s next

The two newspapers will be in court on Friday, April 3, 2026, with the Sun hoping a judge will order printing to resume immediately.

The takeaway

The end of the joint operating agreement between the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun is the latest example of the challenges facing local news outlets as they compete with digital sources and media consolidation. The loss of alternative perspectives in local communities is a concerning trend.