Spokane Newspaper Executive Suspended Amid Leadership Dispute

The executive editor of Spokane’s 143-year-old, family-owned newspaper has been suspended and is currently on leave while an internal investigation takes place. This action followed a vote of no confidence from the Spokane Editorial Society union, which had raised concerns about the editor’s management for years. The newspaper is in the process of transferring ownership to a nonprofit founded by the editor.

The transition of the paper to a nonprofit model, intended to reduce reliance on corporate ownership and advertising, is facing internal challenges. This situation reflects a broader movement in the media industry to resurrect declining papers through community partnerships and philanthropy.