Star Tribune: A History of Minneapolis Journalism
The Star Tribune stands as a cornerstone of news in the Twin Cities, but its current form is the result of over a century of mergers, fierce competition, and evolving ownership. From its origins as a tool for political unification to its modern struggle with digital transformation, the paper's journey reflects the broader history of American print media.
The Foundations: Minneapolis Tribune and Daily Star
The lineage of the publication begins with the Minneapolis Daily Tribune, launched on May 25, 1867. Founded by Colonel William S. King, William D. Washburn, and Dorilus Morrison, the paper was specifically designed to unify the local Republican Party. The early years were marked by frequent changes in leadership and a devastating fire on November 30, 1889, which destroyed the headquarters and presses, resulting in seven deaths.
By 1891, the Tribune entered a period of modernization under William J. Murphy. Murphy, who became the sole owner after purchasing the paper for $450,000, introduced halftone (a reprographic technique that uses dots of varying sizes to simulate continuous-tone imagery) for photographs and established the paper's first Washington, D.C. correspondent in 1893. He further expanded the paper's reach by merging it with the Minneapolis Times in 1905.
Parallel to the Tribune's growth was the Minnesota Daily Star, founded on August 19, 1920. Backed by Thomas Van Lear and Herbert Gaston, the Star was initially tied to the agrarian Nonpartisan League. However, its overt political agenda hindered advertising revenue, leading to bankruptcy in 1924. It was subsequently purchased by A. B. Frizzell and John Thompson, who transitioned it into a politically independent publication.
The Cowles Era and Consolidation
The trajectory of Minneapolis media changed significantly in 1935 when the Cowles family of Des Moines, Iowa, purchased the Star. Under the management of John Cowles Sr., the Star achieved the city's highest circulation.
The Cowles family aggressively consolidated the market, purchasing the Minneapolis Evening Journal in 1939 and the Tribune in 1941. This created a strategic divide: the Tribune served as the morning paper, while the Star-Journal (renamed the Star in 1947) served the evening audience, with both sharing a joint Sunday edition.
Leadership shifted to John Cowles Jr., who brought a progressive editorial lens to the publication, championing liberal causes and the civil rights movement. However, the industry-wide decline of afternoon newspapers eventually forced the discontinuation of the Star in 1982. The two entities merged into the Minneapolis Star and Tribune, later simplified to the Star Tribune in 1987.
During this era, the paper also made legal history. In the case of Minneapolis Star Tribune Co. v. Commissioner (1983), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Minnesota tax on paper and ink violated the First Amendment because it targeted specific newspapers.
Corporate Transitions and Modern Challenges
The 61-year tenure of the Cowles family ended in 1998 when the McClatchy Company acquired Cowles Media Company for $1.4 billion. This ownership was short-lived; by 2006, McClatchy sold the paper to the private equity firm Avista Capital Partners for $530 million.
The following years were turbulent. The paper faced a leadership scandal in 2007 involving publisher Par Ridder, who was removed by a judge after allegations of stealing trade secrets from the rival St. Paul Pioneer Press. Financial instability culminated in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on January 15, 2009, from which the paper emerged later that year under the control of its senior secured lenders.
In 2014, the company was acquired by Glen Taylor, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx. Taylor aimed to shift the paper toward a more balanced reporting style, stating it would be less liberal under his ownership. The company also briefly expanded by acquiring City Pages in 2015, though the alternative weekly shuttered in 2020 due to the pandemic and loss of ad revenue.
Recent years have seen continued restructuring. In September 2025, the paper announced the sale of its Minneapolis printing plant and the outsourcing of printing to Iowa. Despite these cuts, the paper saw a massive surge in digital traffic and subscriptions in 2026, partly driven by its coverage of Operation Metro Surge. As of June 2026, the company is considering a transition to a nonprofit ownership model following further workforce reductions.
Key Facts
- Founded: The Tribune began May 25, 1867; the Star began August 19, 1920.
- Major Merger: The Star and Tribune merged into a single morning paper in 1982.
- Legal Milestone: Successfully challenged a discriminatory ink and paper tax in the U.S. Supreme Court in 1983.
- Ownership Shift: Transitioned from the Cowles family to McClatchy, then Avista, and finally to Glen Taylor in 2014.
- Digital Growth: Web traffic doubled by January 2026, becoming the second-most-visited local newspaper site.
| Era/Year | Primary Owner/Leader | Key Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1867 | King, Washburn, Morrison | Founding of Minneapolis Daily Tribune |
| 1891 | William J. Murphy | Modernization and halftone printing |
| 1935-1998 | Cowles Family | Consolidation of city's major papers |
| 1998 | McClatchy Company | $1.4 billion acquisition |
| 2009 | Lenders (Post-Bankruptcy) | Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization |
| 2014-Present | Glen Taylor | Shift toward balanced reporting; nonprofit consideration |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Star and Tribune merge?
The merger in 1982 was primarily driven by the dwindling circulation of afternoon newspapers, a trend affecting the industry nationwide, which made maintaining a separate evening paper (the Star) unsustainable.
What was the significance of the 1983 Supreme Court case?
In Minneapolis Star Tribune Co. v. Commissioner, the court ruled that a Minnesota tax on paper and ink was unconstitutional because it targeted specific newspapers, thereby violating the First Amendment.
Who currently owns the Star Tribune?
The company was acquired by Glen Taylor in 2014, though as of June 2026, the organization has indicated it is considering a nonprofit ownership model.
What happened to City Pages?
Acquired by the Star Tribune in 2015, City Pages ceased publication in October 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a loss of advertising revenue; its archives are now held by the Hennepin County Library.
How has the paper adapted to the digital age?
Despite layoffs and the sale of its printing plant, the paper has seen significant digital growth, with web traffic and subscription rates nearly doubling by early 2026.