St. Louis Post Dispatch owner files for bankruptcy

December 13, 2011

A newspaper salesman sells papers at his newspaper stand in California in 2006

Enlarge

A newspaper salesman sells papers at his newspaper stand in California in 2006. Lee Enterprises, one of the largest newspaper chains in the United States, filed for bankruptcy on Monday, the latest victim of the crisis gripping the US newspaper industry.

Lee Enterprises, one of the largest newspaper chains in the United States, filed for bankruptcy on Monday, the latest victim of the crisis gripping the US newspaper industry.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch, the largest of the Lee dailies, said on its website that the filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy will allow the Davenport, Iowa-based company to refinance some $1 billion in debt.

Chapter 11 protects a company from its while it restructures.

Lee had announced its plan to file for bankruptcy 10 days ago in a letter to stockholders and employees.

"Although the refinancing will require Lee to pay higher interest rates, it and our strong cash flow will keep Lee on solid financial footing as we continue reshaping our company for long-term growth by expanding our digital platforms, building audiences, driving sales and improving our balance sheet," Lee president and chief executive Mary Junck said in the letter.

Lee will continue to publish its newspapers during the bankruptcy proceedings.

Lee owns around 50 US newspapers with daily circulation ranging from 191,000 -- the St. Louis Post Dispatch of St. Louis, Missouri -- to just 3,719 -- the Baraboo News Republic of Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Its newspapers have total daily circulation of 1.34 million and total Sunday circulation of 1.63 million.

Like other newspaper publishers in the United States, Lee has been grappling with a slide in , declining circulation and the migration of readers to free news online.

Several other newspaper owners have also declared bankruptcy in recent years including the ., owner of the , and other dailies.

(c) 2011 AFP


Rank not rated yet
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Browser wars flare in mobile space

The browser wars are heating up again, but this time the fight is for dominance of the mobile Internet.

Technology / Software

created 15 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 3

Probability of contamination from severe nuclear reactor accidents is higher than expected: study

Catastrophic nuclear accidents such as the core meltdowns in Chernobyl and Fukushima are more likely to happen than previously assumed. Based on the operating hours of all civil nuclear reactors and the number ...

Technology / Energy & Green Tech

created May 22, 2012 | popularity 3.6 / 5 (25) | comments 56 | with audio podcast

HyperSolar shows dirty water no barrier to power world

(Phys.org) -- The Santa Barbara, California, company, HyperSolar, is set to transparently share the ups and downs of its research experiences toward the company’s ultimate vision, successfully producing ...

Technology / Energy & Green Tech

created May 24, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (16) | comments 17 | with audio podcast report

SpotterRF debuts Radar Backpack Kit (w/ Video)

(Phys.org) -- SpotterRF has announced a special radar backpack kit designed to enhance situational awareness for soldiers on the ground. The company says its special radar is designed for warfighters as part ...

Technology / Hi Tech & Innovation

created May 26, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 13 | with audio podcast report

Tesla to launch electric sedan in US on June 22

Tesla Motors said Tuesday it would begin deliveries of "the world's first premium electric sedan" on June 22, slightly ahead of schedule.

Technology / Energy & Green Tech

created May 22, 2012 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (12) | comments 18


Stunning image of smallest possible five-ringed structure

Scientists have created and imaged the smallest possible five-ringed structure – about 100,000 times thinner than a human hair – and you'll probably recognise its shape.

'Unzipped' carbon nanotubes could help energize fuel cells, batteries

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes riddled with defects and impurities on the outside could replace some of the expensive platinum catalysts used in fuel cells and metal-air batteries, according to scientists at ...

Change in developmental timing was crucial in the evolutionary shift from dinosaurs to birds: study

At first glance, it's hard to see how a common house sparrow and a Tyrannosaurus Rex might have anything in common. After all, one is a bird that weighs less than an ounce, and the other is a dinosaur that ...

Computer model used to pinpoint prime materials for efficient carbon capture

When power plants begin capturing their carbon emissions to reduce greenhouse gases – and to most in the electric power industry, it's a question of when, not if – it will be an expensive undertaking.

T cells 'hunt' parasites like animal predators seek prey, study shows

By pairing an intimate knowledge of immune-system function with a deep understanding of statistical physics, a cross-disciplinary team at the University of Pennsylvania has arrived at a surprising finding: T cells use a movement ...

Land and sea species differ in climate change response: study

(Phys.org) -- Marine and terrestrial species will likely differ in their responses to climate warming, new research by Simon Fraser University and Australia’s University of Tasmania has found.