Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Saved by Nonprofit Buyer

Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism agrees to acquire struggling newspaper and keep it operating.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of newspapers, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background. The newspapers are made from premium materials and clean geometric shapes, using dramatic lighting and shadows to represent the changing media landscape and the importance of local journalism.The acquisition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by a nonprofit organization signals a shift in the media landscape, underscoring the importance of sustaining local journalism in the face of industry challenges.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one of the oldest newspapers in the country, was just weeks away from shutting down when the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism stepped in to acquire the struggling publication. The nonprofit organization, which also publishes the Baltimore Banner, has agreed to keep the Post-Gazette operating, though it will only print a physical edition twice a week.

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 the health of local journalism and civic engagement. The sale to a nonprofit committed to sustaining local news offers hope, though questions remain about the long-term viability and investment in the paper.

The details

Under the deal, the Venetoulis Institute will acquire the Post-Gazette's assets and continue publishing the newspaper, though it will only print a physical edition on Thursdays and Sundays. The rest of the week, the paper will operate online only. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed. The Post-Gazette had been set to shut down on May 3 after its previous owner, Block Communications, announced in January that it would close the paper.

  • The Post-Gazette was set to shut down on May 3, 2026.
  • The Venetoulis Institute announced the acquisition on April 15, 2026, just two weeks before the planned closure.

The players

Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism

A nonprofit journalism organization that publishes the digital Baltimore Banner and has now agreed to acquire the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to keep it operating.

Block Communications

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

David Shribman

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.

Steve Mellon

A longtime photographer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who expressed hope but also concerns about the transition to new ownership.

Sara Innamorato

The executive of Allegheny County, where Pittsburgh is located, who called the Post-Gazette a 'cornerstone of the region's civic life' and emphasized the importance of supporting local journalism.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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

“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

What’s next

The Venetoulis Institute plans to continue publishing the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, though it will only print a physical edition twice a week. The institute has also appointed former Post-Gazette executive editor David Shribman to its board of directors as it works to sustain local journalism in the region.

The takeaway

The sale of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to a nonprofit organization committed to local journalism offers a glimmer of hope in an industry that has been battered by the shift to digital media. However, significant challenges remain in ensuring the long-term viability of the newspaper and supporting the journalists who produce vital community reporting.