{{Short description|Main daily newspaper of Tacoma, Washington}} {{Other uses|News Tribune (disambiguation){{!}}News Tribune}} {{use mdy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = The News Tribune | logo = The News Tribune logo.svg | image = Tacoma News Tribune front page.jpg | caption = Front page of July 1, 2017 | type = Daily newspaper | format = Broadsheet | founded = 1880 (as ''The Ledger'') | ceased_publication = | owners = The McClatchy Company | founder = R. F. Radebaugh<br/>H.C. Patrick | publisher = | editor = Stephanie Pedersen | circulation = 5,000 Digital Subscribers <ref>{{cite news |last1=Fields |first1=Asia |title=The News Tribune publisher David Zeeck leaves amid McClatchy shakeups |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/the-news-tribune-publisher-david-zeeck-is-leaving-newspaper-owner-says/ |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=December 11, 2018}}</ref> <br /> 30,945 Daily<br />37,255 Sunday | circulation_date = 2020 | circulation_ref = <ref name="Profile - McClatchy">{{cite web|title=The News Tribune |url=https://www.mcclatchy.com/our-impact/markets/the-news-tribune |website=McClatchy |access-date=October 22, 2021}}</ref> | headquarters = 1950 South State Street<br />Tacoma, Washington<br />98405 | ISSN = 1073-5860 | website = {{URL|thenewstribune.com}} }}
'''''The News Tribune''''' is an American newspaper based in Tacoma, Washington. It is the second-largest daily newspaper in the state of Washington with a weekday circulation of 30,945 in 2020.<ref name="Profile - McClatchy" /> With origins dating back to 1883, the newspaper was established under its current form in 1918. Locally owned for 73 years by the Baker family, the newspaper was purchased by McClatchy in 1986.
==History== In April 1880, Randolph Foster Radebaugh and H.C. Patrick founded the weekly ''Tacoma Ledger.'' Their firm was named Radebaugh & Company.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=April 8, 1889 |title=The New Tacoma "Ledger." |work=The San Francisco Examiner |pages=2}}</ref> Radebaugh previously worked as a reporter at the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' and a correspondent for the ''Cincinnati Commercial''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Kellogg |first=Caroline |date=July 13, 1980 |title=Time machine {{!}} R.F. Radebaugh, pioneer Tacoma publisher |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |pages=7}}</ref> Patrick previously published the ''San Jose Republican'' and then the ''Santa Cruz Courier'' in California.<ref name=":0" /> The two relocated the ''Courier'' printing plant to Tacoma and used it to launch ''The Ledger''.<ref name=":1" /> In May 1882, Patrick sold out to Radebaugh,<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=May 14, 1882 |title=Newspaper Changes. |work=The Post-Intelligencer |location=Seattle, Washington |pages=4}}</ref> who then expanded the paper into a daily.<ref name=":1" />
On August 10, 1881, George W. Mattice first published the ''Pierce County News.''<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 12, 1881 |title=Notice |work=The Post-Intelligencer |location=Seattle, Washington |pages=3}}</ref> In April 1882, Mattice sold the paper to Mrs. M.L. Money.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 26, 1882 |title=Territorial News. |work=The Post-Intelligencer |location=Seattle, Washington |pages=2}}</ref> In May 1882, Patrick sold his stake in the ''Ledger'' to Radebaugh.<ref name=":2" /> In June 1882, Money sold the ''News'' to Patrick,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 6, 1882 |title=Local. |work=The Post-Intelligencer |location=Seattle, Washington |pages=4}}</ref> who then renamed the latter to ''The Weekly Tacoma News'' and doubled its size.<ref name=":3">{{harvnb|Harvey|1962|p=17}}</ref> Both papers became dailies in 1883; ''The Ledger'' started daily publication on April 7, with the ''News'' following on September 25.<ref>{{harvnb|Harvey|1962|p=18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1913-10-25 |title=The Editor and Publisher 1913-10-25: Vol 13 Iss 19 |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1913-10-25_13_19/page/378/mode/2up |access-date=2021-02-25 |language=English}}</ref>
Patrick sold the ''News'' to George R. Epperson for $5,500 in September 1885,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 5, 1885 |title=Newspaper Change. |work=Columbia Twice-A-Week Chronicle |location=Dayton, Washington |pages=3}}</ref> who sold it to a ownership group in February 1886.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 19, 1886 |title=Territorial Items. |work=The Washington Standard |location=Olympia, Washington |pages=2}}</ref> The principal owners of the News Publishing Co., Richard Roediger and William McIntyre.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=June 30, 1890 |title=The Daily "News" {{!}} First Issue From Its New Perfecting Press. |work=Tacoma Daily News |pages=1}}</ref> Thomas E. Scantlin bought an interest in fall 1888 and assumed editorial management.<ref name=":4" />
Radebaugh remained as ''Ledger'' editor until 1892, when he sold a half-interest to Nelson Bennett, and then the rest a few months later. Clinton A. Snowden was named general manager.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1892 |title=In Charge of The Ledger {{!}} Clinton Snowden to Manage the Bright Tacoma Paper. |work=The Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |pages=2}}</ref> In 1896, Snowden formed a company and bought ''The Ledger'' from Nelson.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1896 |title=The Tacoma Ledger Sold. {{!}} Nelson Bennett Disposes of the Paper to Editor Snowden. |work=The Post-Intelligencer |location=Seattle, Washington |pages=1}}</ref> On May 15, 1897, the paper was $70,000 in debt fell into receivership under Major O.B. Hayden,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 16, 1897 |title=News From Tacoma {{!}} Ledger Company Goes Into The Hands of a Receiver. |work=The Post-Intelligencer |location=Seattle, Washington |pages=2}}</ref> who sold it a month later to C.M. Shultz.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 17, 1897 |title=Tacoma Ledger Sold. |work=The Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |pages=3}}</ref>
In 1898, McIntyre sold the ''News'' to Sidney "Sam" A. Perkins for $18,000.<ref name=":5">{{harvnb|Harvey|1962|pp=45–46}}</ref> Albert C. Johnson, a writer at ''The Washington Post'', was named editor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 1898 |title=Tacoma News Sold. |work=The Oregonian |location=Portland, Oregon |pages=6}}</ref> A month later Shultz named Perkins business manager of the ''Ledger''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shultz |first=C.M. |date=November 13, 1898 |title=Announcement. |work=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |pages=12}}</ref> A year later Perkins left the ''Ledger'' and Shultz publisher a letter accusing him of corporate sabotage.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shultz |first=C.M. |date=September 22, 1899 |title=A Personal Statement |work=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |pages=4}}</ref> Shultz sold the paper in December 1899 to ownership group including C. J. Lord,<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 1, 1899 |title=Tacoma Ledger Reported Sold. {{!}} An Olympia Bank, Representing in Background, Buys It. |work=The Post-Intelligencer |location=Seattle, Washington |pages=7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 16, 1899 |title=Tacoma Ledger Sold. |work=Evening Sentinel |location=Santa Cruz, California |pages=4}}</ref> and banker Mark E. Reed acquired it in May 1900.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 30, 1900 |title=Mark E. Reed Buys The Ledger {{!}} Olympia Capitalist Purchases the Stock Owned by Judge Gordon and C.J. Lord. |work=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |pages=8}}</ref> Perkins acquired the ''Ledger'' from Reed a month later.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 23, 1900 |title=Tacoma Ledger Is Sold. {{!}} S.A. Perkins of Tacoma Has Secured Control. |work=The Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |pages=2}}</ref>
In 1907, the first phase of construction of the Perkins Building was completed and ''The Ledger'' and ''The News'' moved in.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Diviney |first=Patrick F. |title=Sam Perkins And His Building: a History of Tacomas Perkins Building and its Predecessor The Lister Block; Together with a Short Biography of S.A. "Sam" Perkins. |date=March 17, 1992 |publisher=University of Washington}}</ref> On June 12, 1908, Radebaugh re-entered the market with the debut of ''The Tacoma Daily Tribune.''<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1908 |title=New Paper in Tacoma. |work=Spokane Chronicle |pages=12}}</ref> He underestimated the capital needed to run the newspaper successfully<ref name=":5" /> and sold it in 1909 to A.J. Blethen, owner of ''The Seattle Times''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 7, 1909 |title=Blethen Acquires Paper In City Of Tacoma {{!}} Evening Tribune Said To Be Property Of Publisher Of Seattle Times. |work=The Seattle Star |pages=6}}</ref> By early 1912, its insolvency had reached $250,000, with John S. Baker as a principal creditor. Coincidentally, a group including Elbert H. Baker, a cousin of John, and his son Frank S. Baker had just sold the ''Boston Traveler'' to the ''Boston Herald''; John traveled to his birthplace of Cleveland and convinced Elbert and Frank to explore a purchase of ''The Tribune'', with Frank supporting the idea when he conducted an investigation in Tacoma. The Bakers purchased the paper and its debts,<ref name=":5" /> with Frank first appearing as its publisher on October 26.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 26, 1912 |title=Tacoma Tribune Purchased |work=The Seattle Star |pages=8}}</ref>
''The Tribune'' became successful at the expense of ''The News'' and the ''Tacoma Ledger'', with Perkins facing about $400,000 in debt by early 1918. Perkins consulted his creditor, who stated that Tacoma's newspaper market was too saturated and suggested a merger with ''The Tribune'', which Perkins discussed with Frank S. Baker when they coincidentally found each other on a train to Cleveland. Subsequent negotiations resulted in Baker acquiring the two papers from Perkins, with Baker merging ''The News'' and ''The Tribune'' together to form ''The Tacoma News Tribune'', its first issue appearing on June 17, 1918.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1918 |title=Perkins Sells Out; One Is to Suspend |work=The Tacoma Times |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Harvey|1962|p=53}}</ref> ''The Ledger'' remained a separate Sunday morning paper until 1937.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 2, 1937 |title=Tacoma Morning Paper Stops. |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |location=Chehalis, Washington |pages=6}}</ref>
In 1948, the paper began operating the radio stations KTNT-AM and KTNT-FM,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 27, 1948 |title=KTNT On Air Today |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |pages=1}}</ref> and in 1953 began operating a television station with the same call letters.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 1953 |title=Direct Television For KTNT-TV This Week |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |pages=1}}</ref> In 1979, the newspaper adopted the name ''Tacoma News Tribune''. In 1983, its parent company bought the ''Pierce County Herald'' in Puyallup. In October 1985, McClatchy Newspapers reached an agreement with the Baker family to purchase the Tribune Publishing Company's newspaper assets from them for an estimated $112 million, with the transaction completed on August 1, 1986; Viacom purchased the remaining assets, including a television franchise and a radio station, at the same time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McDermott |first1=Terry |title=Jobs at Tacoma paper up in the air |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB531E387A23A7C |access-date=October 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 19, 1986 |via=NewsBank|page=C1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1986 |title=New owners shake Tacoma newspaper |work=The Daily News |location=Port Angeles, Washington |page=6 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
As of 2001, the ''News Tribune'' was the third largest newspaper in Washington, with a daily circulation of 130,000.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_2001-07-16_134_28/page/n23/mode/2up|title=Safeco, Microsoft, and Starbucks rule|date=2001-07-16|magazine=Editor & Publisher|last1=Hudson|first1=Eileen Davis|pages=23–24|last2=Davis|first2=Joel|publisher=ASM Communications|access-date=October 22, 2021|via=the Internet Archive}}</ref> The newspaper, alongside sister publication ''The Olympian'', were printed at a plant in Tacoma until February 3, 2019.<ref name="PrCh18">{{cite news |date=November 29, 2018 |title=Printing change planned for News Tribune, Olympian |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article222361865.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=February 2, 2019}}</ref> Since that time, the newspapers have been printed at the facilities of ''The Columbian'' in Vancouver, Washington.<ref name="PrCh18" /> In March 2024, the newspaper announced it will decrease the number of print editions to three a week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Stephanie |date=March 1, 2024 |title=The News Tribune to change print days as digital transition evolves |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article286081926.html |access-date=March 7, 2024 |website=The News Tribune}}</ref>
==Criticism==
Harriet Hall criticized the ''News Tribune'' in ''Skeptical Inquirer'' in 2019 for its acceptance of advertisements for health-related products that imitated the presentation of real articles with only a small disclaimer.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hall|first1=Harriet|author-link=Harriet Hall|date=2019|title=Fake News about Health Products|url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/2019/03/fake-news-about-health-products/|journal=Skeptical Inquirer|volume=43|issue=2|pages=32–34}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal bar|Journalism}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== * {{cite book |last1=Harvey |first1=Paul W. |title=Tacoma Headlines: An Account of Tacoma News and Newspapers from 1873 to 1962 |date=1962 |publisher=The Tacoma News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |oclc=2720728}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.thenewstribune.com}} * [http://m.thenewstribune.com Official mobile website] * {{cite news |title=Prominent Newspapers of the Pacific Coast: The Tacoma Ledger |work=Pacific Monthly |date=1903 }} * [https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1909-04-03_8_40/page/n1/mode/2up Editor and Publisher] 1909
{{McClatchy}}{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:News Tribune, The}} Category:Companies based in Tacoma, Washington Category:McClatchy publications Category:Mass media in Tacoma, Washington Category:Newspapers published in Washington (state) Category:1880 establishments in Washington Territory Category:Newspapers established in 1880