Great news: Post-Gazette to continue after purchase by prestigious non-profit media group

For a city like Pittsburgh to lose its only newspaper was a devastating blow, but that was what appeared to be on the horizon in just a few weeks.

However, yesterday, the skies over Pittsburgh brightened brightly with the news that a non-profit from Baltimore had bought that paper and would continue it under the same name.

The Block family owned the paper and said that they could no longer manage to lose money over its operation. However, they found a buyer who appears to be one who will be able to continue the quality journalism that the PG has offered.

Details

Not everything was revealed on Tuesday, but the essence was given in a release,

The publisher of a highly regarded nonprofit digital news outlet based in Baltimore announced Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire the assets of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, ending nearly a century of family control of the newspaper and ensuring the future of Western Pennsylvania’s largest news organization.

Toledo, Ohio-based Block Communications Inc. is selling the Post-Gazette assets to the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, publisher of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Baltimore Banner. The newsroom and local business leadership will remain in Pittsburgh while other functions, including technology and business operations, will be combined with teams at the Venetoulis Institute.

The sale becomes effective May 4 and the Post-Gazette name will be unchanged. The Post-Gazette, one of the country’s oldest newspapers with roots dating back more than two centuries, was scheduled to cease operations on May 3.

The new owners said they plan to maintain the Post-Gazette’s two print publication days, Thursday and Sunday.

Kris B. Mamula, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to continue publishing after

sale to nonprofit media group,” Post-Gazette.com, April 14, 2026

Buyers assure quality

The owners were happy to find a buyer with a great reputation since they has won some Pulitzers in their years,

“The Block family has worked to find the best possible source for responsible local journalism for the Pittsburgh region and we believe we have succeeded,” Karen Johnese, chair of Block Communications, said in a prepared release. “We are excited to hand our treasured paper over to such a committed and creative organization.

“We trust in their integrity and care for our community.”

“The Block family’s approach in selecting the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism reflects a forward-looking perspective on the future of the Post-Gazette,” Tracey DeAngelo, Post-Gazette president and general manager said in a prepared statement. “Their work in Baltimore has earned deep respect, and the quality of journalism they have built in a relatively short time makes them a thoughtful and capable steward of this legacy.”

The purchase marks an ambitious expansion of Maryland hotel magnate and philanthropist Stewart W. Bainum Jr.’s effort to bolster local journalism through the Venetoulis Institute that he founded and named after his late friend, Theodore “Ted” Venetoulis. Mr. Venetoulis was a former Baltimore County executive, civic leader and advocate of local journalism who died in 2021.

Post-Gazette

The Banner won its Pulitzer just about three years after it was launched in 2022, and it was for local reporting. The PG notes that is has 79,500 paid subscribers and averages 4.1 million page views. Its newsroom has about 95 employees, while PG has about 100, so there is similarity. However, layoffs may occur as the nonprofit begins its business model in Pittsburgh, but that is certainly better than not existing at all.

Bob Cohn, the Banner’s chief executive officer, believes that the model can grow and be something to be emulated nationwide,

“Nonprofit journalism has been kind of snowballing for the past 10 years or so,” he said. “That’s helped fill a lot of news gaps across the country.

“Our model is very much based on traditional revenue sources from advertising and subscriptions, but some newer things, like events and philanthropic donations, which really is new.”

“Advertising is very much an important part of the puzzle, the second biggest driver of revenue after subscriptions,” Mr. Cohn said.

Post-Gazette

It notes that the Banner has not yet broken even. That will be the challenge for the new PG.