Bleak newspaper-industry outlook spurs buyout of Star parent
On Aug. 5, GateHouse—a New York-based chain backed by an investment firm—announced a deal to buy Gannett for $1.4 billion.
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Newspaper giants Gatehouse, Gannett likely to seek cost savings after merger
Efficiencies wrought by the merger might result in publications that rely less on local reporters and more on USA Today-type stories produced or edited remotely and published in dozens of the company’s publications.
Report: Newspaper chains Gannett, GateHouse in ‘advanced’ merger talks
The Wall Street Journal reports that a deal could be announced in the coming weeks. Gannett owns The Indianapolis Star and a number of smaller Indiana newspapers.
Gannett shareholders reject hedge fund’s board candidates
The vote, completed at Gannett’s annual meeting, amounted to a rejection—possibly the final one—of Alden’s attempt to acquire Gannett through a hostile takeover launched in January by its Media News Group unit.
Award-winning artist Gary Varvel to create cartoons for IBJ
Varvel will contribute a cartoon twice a month to IBJ’s op-ed pages. He joins Shane Johnson, who has been an IBJ editorial cartoonist for seven years and will continue as a regular cartoonist for the publication.
IndyStar investigative reporter to depart for USA Today
Marisa Kwiatkowski was one of three Star journalists whose series on the sexual abuse of gymnasts led to a national outcry on the topic and a guilty verdict against Dr. Larry Nassar.
UPDATE: IndyStar parent firm rejects $1.4B offer, but fight might not be over
Gannett Co. said Monday that its board determined the unsolicited offer from a hedge-fund backed media group undervalued the company and wasn’t in the best interests of shareholders.
Indianapolis Star’s latest cuts include columnists Swarens, Pete the Planner
The Indianapolis Star eliminated at least three newsroom employees Wednesday and dropped at least two business columnists.
Suitor for IndyStar’s parent company known for ‘milking’ newspapers
Alden Global, which is taking aim at the Gannett newspaper chain, is run by a hedge fund exec known in some circles as “the Gordon Gekko of newspapers.”
Tight-fisted Digital First makes bid for IndyStar owner Gannett
Gannett's board said it will "carefully review the proposal," which values the company at $12 a share, a 23 percent premium to Gannett’s closing price on Friday.
Six newsroom employees at IndyStar take early retirements
Among the longtime newsroom employees who accepted buyout packages were well-known names in the local newspaper field, including editorial cartoonist Gary Varvel and writer Will Higgins.
IndyStar columnist Matt Tully dies after 2-year battle with cancer
Matthew Tully, 49, had worked for the Indianapolis Star since 2002, writing nearly 2,000 columns over that time. The Gary native died Monday night.
Indy Star takes heat over cartoon that criticizes Kavanaugh accuser
An editorial cartoon published Sunday by The Indianapolis Star that mocks Christine Blasey Ford drew a flood of complaints on social media Monday, prompting an explanation from the newspaper.
UPDATE: Sports columnist Kravitz confirms impending departure from WTHR
A source told IBJ on Tuesday that Kravitz had been laid off with several others at the top-rated local TV station.
Records reveal Hogsett office’s efforts to stiff-arm press on HQ2 bid
Local and national reporters clamored for interviews with Mayor Joe Hogsett about Indianapolis’ chances, but city officials largely kept quiet while forwarding media to the Indy Chamber and influencing messaging behind the scenes.
Top Indy Star editor leaving for USA Today post
Jeff Taylor replaced Dennis Ryerson as editor of the Star in 2012 after serving as senior managing editor at the Detroit Free Press.
As advertising falls, Star hits subscribers with hefty rate hike
The Indianapolis Star is asking its subscribers to absorb hefty rate increases—a move that reflects the pressure the newspaper industry is under to find ways to offset declines in advertising.
IBJ takes home awards in annual journalism competition
IBJ won honors at the Society of Professional Journalists’ Best in Indiana contest for coverage of Salesforce, elections, arts, the airport and more.
Star employees stage short walkout to protest Gannett decisions
The Indianapolis NewsGuild, which represents newsroom and custodial employees at The Star, said Gannett management is threatening to eliminate five journalists if the guild does not go along with the company’s recent decision to outsource The Star’s copy editors.
Gannett gives up on Tronc takeover
The giant media firm’s target was elusive from the beginning. It revealed in the spring that it was offering $388 million for the Chicago company, which it said refused to partake in “constructive discussions.”