JACKSON, Wyo. — The Pinedale Roundup, a weekly local newspaper that served Pinedale since 1904, announced Wednesday that it has closed its doors following the dissolution of its parent company, News Media Corporation (NMC).
“All of our employees at the Roundup and at our sister papers have lost their jobs, effective today and without notice,” Managing Editor Cali O’Hare posted to the Roundup’s Facebook page on Wednesday morning. She added: “Our hearts are broken for our colleagues and our communities. We all deserved better than this, and we wish we could have said a proper goodbye.”
The termination letter from NMC (shared to the Roundup’s Facebook) cites “financial challenges, a significant economic downturn impacting our industry, revenue losses and increasing expenses, and the recent failure of an attempt to sell the company” as the impetus for closure.
According to NMC’s website, the company was responsible for outlets across Arizona, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Its Wyoming holdings were listed as: the Torrington Telegram, the Lusk Herald, the Platte County Record Times, the Lingle Guide, the Guernsey Gazette, the Tri-State Traveler, the Western Harvest, the Cheyenne Minuteman, the Sublette Examiner, the Roughneck, the Uinta County Herald, the Bridger Valley Pioneer and the Kemmerer Gazette.
A Wednesday morning post on the Torrington Telegram’s Facebook page by its publisher Rob Mortimore estimated that 30 employees in Wyoming and Nebraska were let go.
“I am devastated by the loss of such a crucial and valuable resource,” Mortimore’s post reads. “Nine communities no longer have a newspaper. With our vast spaces, there will undoubtedly be a void, leaving stories of great people, great accomplishments and great memories going untold. No more watchdog for local governments.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Rob Mortimore’s name.
