The end of The Albuquerque Tribune

After 86 years, it's over.
The Albuquerque Tribune will publish its final edition Saturday. The paper's parent company, E.W. Scripps Co., said the decision was made after it was determined the Albuquerque market couldn't support an afternoon newspaper. Scripps decided in August to either sell the paper or shut it down. The newspaper had a joint operating agreement with the Albuquerque Journal since 1933.
The newspaper's 38 editorial employees were told of Scripps' decision by Editor Phill Casaus in a staff meeting this morning, according to reports from the paper. The Tribune's daily circulation in January was about 9,600, Casaus said. In 1988, the newspaper sold about 42,000 copies a day. The Tribune had won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 and was a finalist for the prize in 1993 and 1996. "The loss of The Albuquerque Tribune is profoundly sad for the community, its dedicated staff, and all those great journalists who have contributed over the years to the newspaper's outstanding reputation for editorial independence and excellence," said Rich Boehne, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Scripps. A group of concerned readers called Friends of the Albuquerque Tribune have expressed interest in saving the newspaper and operating it as a nonprofit. For the full story click here.