NEWARK, N.J. — The Star-Ledger has announced it will no longer be in the business of printing newspapers. The once powerful news media outlet that was admired and respected throughout New Jersey has announced it is going out of business and ceasing publication.
Last week, the newspaper, which regularly attacks former President Donald Trump and pushes a left-wing media and campaign narrative to its readers called out local Republican leaders, accusing them of being in the “business of hate”, is going to be out of business, in print. The newspaper almost made it to its 100 year anniversary, being founded in 1939 with the merger of two local Newark based newspapers.
Known lately for its left-wing and anti-Republican slant, the newspaper has fallen out of favor with many in New Jersey with dwindling circulation and and high costs during the Biden-Harris inflated economy.
The Star-Ledger, New Jersey’s largest newspaper, will cease its print operations in February 2025, a decision its owner, the Newark Morning Ledger Co., attributed to rising production costs and declining demand for print media. The Montville production facility will close as part of the move, which also affects other Advance Local-owned New Jersey publications, including The Times of Trenton, South Jersey Times, and the Hunterdon County Democrat.
The Star-Ledger’s final print edition is scheduled for February 2, 2025, while the Hunterdon County Democrat will publish its last weekly print issue on January 30. Though print editions are ending, the Star-Ledger, along with other affected papers, will continue to operate online with digital editions available seven days a week for subscribers. According to Advance Local, the online editions will include more than ten pages of exclusive local and national content daily, enhancing offerings beyond what has been available in print.
“Today’s announcement represents the next step into the digital future of journalism in New Jersey,” said Steve Alessi, President of NJ Advance Media, which oversees NJ.com and produces content for Advance Local’s New Jersey publications. “It’s important to emphasize that this is a forward-looking decision that allows us to invest more deeply than ever in our journalism and in serving our communities.”
Alessi noted that the transition will enable NJ Advance Media to reallocate resources to strengthen its newsroom. The organization reportedly has increased its number of reporters over the past year and plans to expand further in 2025, aiming to improve coverage in under-served areas of New Jersey.
Journalists at NJ Advance Media will continue to produce content for NJ.com as well as for the online editions of the Star-Ledger, The Times of Trenton, and South Jersey Times. Despite the end of their print formats, these publications will continue to serve New Jersey readers in a digital format, providing news coverage that the company says will be expanded in scope and depth.