Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Finds Last-Minute Buyer to Stay Open

Baltimore nonprofit journalism group agrees to acquire struggling newspaper and continue operations.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:12pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of neatly arranged newspapers, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, along with a vintage desk lamp and a small potted plant, all set against a clean, monochromatic background with sharp, dramatic lighting and deep shadows, conceptually representing the resilience of local journalism.The acquisition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by a nonprofit journalism group offers a glimmer of hope for the future of local news in the city.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one of the oldest newspapers in the country, announced it has found a buyer just two weeks before it was set to shut down. The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a Baltimore-based nonprofit, has agreed to acquire the Post-Gazette's assets and continue publishing the newspaper, albeit on a reduced print schedule of two days per week. The sale comes as a relief to the Pittsburgh community, which was facing the prospect of losing its primary local news source.

Why it matters

The closure of the Post-Gazette would have left Pittsburgh, the second-largest city in Pennsylvania, without a major city-based newspaper, a concerning development for local civic life and democracy. The sale to the Venetoulis Institute, a nonprofit focused on supporting local journalism, offers hope that the Post-Gazette can continue its legacy of serving the western Pennsylvania region with quality reporting.

The details

Under the new ownership, the Post-Gazette will continue to print the newspaper on Thursdays and Sundays, and maintain a digital presence on the other days of the week. The previous owners, Block Communications, had announced in January that the paper would shut down on May 3 due to financial struggles. The Venetoulis Institute, which launched the digital Baltimore Banner in 2022, has appointed former Post-Gazette executive editor David Shribman to its board of directors.

  • The Post-Gazette was set to shut down on May 3, 2026.
  • The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism agreed to acquire the newspaper's assets in April 2026, just two weeks before the planned closure.

The players

Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism

A Baltimore-based nonprofit journalism organization that has agreed to acquire the assets of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and continue operating the newspaper.

Block Communications

The previous owners of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who had announced plans to shut down the newspaper in January 2026.

David Shribman

The former executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from 2003 to 2019, who has been appointed to the board of directors of the Venetoulis Institute.

Jay Costa

The top-ranking Democrat in the Pennsylvania state Senate, whose district encompasses about half of Pittsburgh.

Steve Mellon

A longtime photographer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who expressed concerns about the newspaper's future under new ownership.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are committed to working with exceptional journalists, along with civic and business leaders across the region, to build a new future for local journalism in Western Pennsylvania.”

— Bob Cohn, CEO of the Venetoulis Institute

“I'm more hopeful now for the future of the Post-Gazette than I was yesterday.”

— Steve Mellon, Longtime photographer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“For us to be a vibrant, strong city, as we are, it's imperative that we have a newspaper that demonstrates that.”

— Jay Costa, Top-ranking Democrat in the Pennsylvania state Senate

What’s next

The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism will work to transition the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to its new ownership and continue publishing the newspaper, with a focus on maintaining quality local journalism for the western Pennsylvania region.

The takeaway

The sale of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to a nonprofit journalism organization offers a glimmer of hope for the future of local news in an era when many newspapers have struggled to survive. However, significant challenges remain, including retaining staff, securing long-term financial sustainability, and rebuilding trust with the community.