The Janesville Gazette will no longer print Saturday or Sunday editions starting June 1.
Adams Publishing Group Regional President Mary Jo Villa said the Friday paper will become a weekend edition and include most of the regular Sunday paper content, including coupons and color comics.
The printing change will result in six layoffs, and APG is also temporarily suspending the printing and distribution of the Sunday Janesville Messenger and the Sunday Beloit Stateline News shoppers.
“We are not eliminating any content,” Villa said. “I absolutely believe it is the appropriate and necessary step to ensure we remain viable and have the ability to publish quality local journalism for many years to come.”
The Gazette was historically a Monday through Saturday paper until 1988 when it added a Sunday edition in response to advertiser demand.
Villa said reducing printing frequency is a common response to economic challenges in the industry, and the COVID-19 pandemic compounded the loss of major advertisers in recent years.
She pointed to the closing of Shopko, Sears, Boston Store, JCPenny, Pick ’n Save and Mauer’s, among others that have all impacted their revenues.
“The only way we can continue as a business, and keep our reporters providing valuable content is if people maintain their subscriptions and new readers sign up,” Villa said. “That is why we so appreciate and thank our loyal readers.”
Subscription rates for customers will not change, and subscribers who only received weekend editions will be notified by mail.
The new Friday weekend paper will cost $2.50 on newsstands, down from the current $4.00 price of the Sunday paper.
The Gazette and its printing facility currently employs 90 full-time and 60 part-time employees along with 60 independent contractors who deliver the paper.
