• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, February 12, 2024

The Sunday newspaper, long home to breaking news, features and comics, is losing one of those elements – news.  

Chains like Gannett are increasingly delivering their Sunday editions via the U.S. Postal Service on Saturday. This is being driven by labor challenges, fluctuating fuel prices, increased competition for door-to-door delivery workers and the switch to digital.

“The transition from carrier to Postal Service delivery will ensure we can provide a more consistent experience for our valued subscribers,” boasts Michael A. Anastasi, vice president of local news for Gannett.

But there’s one problem: don’t expect fresh news. 

“Now the weekend edition will come in Saturday’s mail,” Poynter writes. “That means news content will close by midday Friday. Should there be a mail delivery glitch, you won’t get your Sunday paper until Monday.” 

In other words, you can no longer catch up with the news over bagels on Sunday morning – at least not in print. You’ll have to go online for it. 

As Gannett sees it, print delivery faces labor challenges, fluctuating fuel prices, increased competition for door-to-door delivery workers and the switch to digital.

This is reflected in the fact that local papers throughout the country are reducing their print schedules. 

For instance, the SLO Tribune, of San Luis Obispo, California, will now offer print editions only on Wednesday and Sundays, which will continue to be delivered with regular mail. 

Maybe this is good for a struggling U.S. Postal Service. But don’t expect fresh content or even fresh advertising in many of these papers.