One of Ohio's oldest newspapers could cease publication by the end of the year if its owner cannot find a buyer.
Block Communications announced Sept. 8 that it plans to explore a sale of The Blade's assets. If the effort is unsuccessful, the Toledo newspaper will publish its final print and digital editions Dec. 31.
"The financial losses the Blade has endured for years are simply not sustainable,” Block Communications President and Chief Operating Officer Jodi Miehls wrote in an email to employees obtained by WTOL 11.
The company did not disclose the extent of the newspaper's losses, whether it has identified potential buyers or how many employees could be affected.
Employees were instructed to continue working as usual while the company pursues
a sale and prepares for a possible shutdown, WTOL reported.
Non-union employees who remain through the closure would be offered severance packages. The company said it would work with the Toledo NewsGuild on separation packages for union employees.
Announcement follows contract dispute with Blade workers
The announcement comes less than two weeks after Toledo NewsGuild members rejected the company’s proposed two-year contract.
Union members voted 46-25 against the offer Aug. 28, citing concerns that its language could allow union jobs to be replaced by artificial intelligence, freelancers, managers or other sources. The union later offered to resume negotiations.
The Guild’s previous contract expired in 2017, though its members have continued working while negotiations proceeded.
The Blade also vacated its longtime headquarters on North Superior Street earlier this year. Employees have worked remotely since March.
Block previously planned to close another historic newspaper
Block Communications announced in January that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette would close in May following years of financial losses and a lengthy labor dispute.
The newspaper remained open after the nonprofit Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, which publishes The Baltimore Banner, agreed to purchase its assets. The sale took effect May 4.
The Blade traces its history to Dec. 19, 1835, predating Toledo’s incorporation as a city. The newspaper describes itself as Toledo’s oldest continuously operating business and covers communities across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
Blade journalists Michael D. Sallah, Mitch Weiss and Joe Mahr won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting for a series uncovering atrocities committed by an elite U.S. Army platoon during the Vietnam War.
If no buyer emerges, The Blade would close 12 days after marking its 191st anniversary.
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Toledo Blade could close Dec. 31 if search for buyer fails
