Portland Tribune

Portland businessman Robert B. Pamplin Jr. announced his intention to found the paper in the summer of 2000. The first issue of the twice-weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) paper was published February 9, 2001,[4][5] joining The Oregonian, the city's only daily general-interest newspaper, and the alternative weeklies Willamette Week and The Portland Mercury. At the time, it was a rare example of the expansion of print news, in a time when many cities were seeing newspapers merge or go out of business.[6] But its launch preceded a significant national downturn in advertising sales, which posed difficulties for a startup newspaper.[6] Eleven months after its launch, the Tribune cut back on home deliveries.[7] The newspaper was reportedly losing money faster than anticipated after its first year.[8] By late 2006, its newsroom staff had been reduced to 27.[1]

Tribune newspaper box

On May 5, 2008, the paper announced it would switch, effective immediately, to a once-a-week print format, with a Thursday print edition (in place of Tuesday and Fridays) accompanied by daily updates to its website.[9] In July 2009, "difficult economic conditions" led to the layoff of two reporters and the resignation of its managing editor, resulting in a newsroom staff of 14.[1]

In March 2014, the Portland Tribune resumed twice-weekly publication of its print edition, with reinstatement of a Tuesday edition, while continuing to publish a Thursday edition.[2]

As of January 2020, the Portland Tribune has once again returned to once-weekly on Thursdays and online articles have been limited to paid subscribers only.[3] Publication of the print edition shifted from Thursday to Wednesdays in April 2020.