Richmond Free Press to Shut Down After 34 Years

Local newspaper cites lack of advertising support as reason for closure

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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After over three decades of serving the Richmond, Virginia community, the Richmond Free Press newspaper has announced it will be shutting down operations. Publisher Jean Patterson Boone cited the inability to secure sufficient advertising support as the primary reason for the closure.

Why it matters

The closure of the Richmond Free Press represents the ongoing challenges facing local newspapers across the country, as they struggle to maintain financial viability in the digital age. The loss of this community institution will leave a void in Richmond's media landscape.

The details

In a post to the newspaper's Instagram account, publisher Jean Patterson Boone wrote: "We know for sure that we do not have the advertising support to continue." The Richmond Free Press had been in operation for 34 years, providing news and information to the local community.

  • The Richmond Free Press has been in operation since 1992.
  • The newspaper announced its closure on February 14, 2026.

The players

Jean Patterson Boone

The publisher of the Richmond Free Press.

Richmond Free Press

A local newspaper that has served the Richmond, Virginia community for 34 years before announcing its closure.

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What they’re saying

“We know for sure that we do not have the advertising support to continue.”

— Jean Patterson Boone, Publisher (Richmond Free Press Instagram)

The takeaway

The closure of the Richmond Free Press is a sobering reminder of the financial challenges facing local journalism in the digital age, as newspapers struggle to maintain advertising revenue and community support. This loss will be felt deeply by the Richmond community.