History of Portland Press Herald in Timeline

The Portland Press Herald is a daily newspaper located in South Portland, Maine. It serves the southern Maine region, especially the greater Portland metropolitan area, with a statewide readership. As a daily newspaper, its focus includes local news, events, and topics relevant to the community it serves.

1904: Bought by Maine Republicans

In 1904, the Portland Press Herald was bought by a syndicate of Maine Republicans, including Henry B. Cleaves and gubernatorial candidate Joseph Homan Manley.

1920: Cap'n Haskell's Departure

In 1920, Thomas Haskell, also known as Cap'n Haskell, departed from the Eastern Argus newspaper.

November 21, 1921: Portland Press Herald First Edition

On November 21, 1921, the Portland Daily Press merged with the Portland Herald to form the Portland Press Herald, with the first edition being published on this date.

1922: Balanced Editorial Approach

In 1922, under Gannett's ownership, the Portland Press Herald adopted a balanced editorial approach, publishing criticism of the Republican incumbent.

1923: New Building Construction

In 1923, Gannett built a new building to house all of the Portland Press Herald's operations on 390 Congress Street.

1923: Press Herald Building constructed

In 1923, Guy Gannett built the Press Herald Building to house all of the paper's operations at 390 Congress Street.

1925: Purchase of Portland Evening Express and Daily Advertiser

In 1925, Gannett purchased the Portland Evening Express and Daily Advertiser (later shortened to Evening Express).

1928: Cap'n Haskell's Death

In 1928, Thomas Haskell (Cap'n Haskell), a marine news reporter, died three months after leaving the Portland Press.

1928: Merger with Portland Sunday Telegram

In 1928, the Portland Press Herald merged with the Portland Sunday Telegram to form the Portland Sunday Telegram and Sunday Press Herald.

1929: Purchase of Kennebec Journal and Central Maine Morning Sentinel

In 1929, Gannett bought Augusta's Kennebec Journal and Waterville's Central Maine Morning Sentinel.

1929: Editorial War

In 1929, the Portland Press Herald and the Portland Evening News "waged an editorial war" about the Kellogg–Briand Pact.

1930: Editorial War

In 1930, the Portland Press Herald and the Portland Evening News continued their "editorial war" regarding the 1930 London Conference on naval arms limitations.

1935: May Craig Joins as Washington Correspondent

In 1935, May Craig became the Washington correspondent for the Portland Press Herald.

1948: Addition to Press Herald Building

In 1948, an addition was added to the north side of the Press Herald Building facing Congress Street.

1965: May Craig's Departure

In 1965, May Craig left her position as Washington correspondent for the Portland Press Herald.

1988: Print plant opens

In 1988, the newspaper opened a $40 million print plant at 295 Gannet Drive in South Portland.

1994: Angus King elected governor

In 1994, independent Angus King was elected governor after being endorsed by the Portland Press Herald.

1996: Portland Press Herald acquires Portland.com

In 1996, the Portland Press Herald acquired the domain name Portland.com for free to use as the web address for the paper.

1998: Sold to The Seattle Times Company

In 1998, Guy Gannett Communications sold the Portland Press Herald to The Seattle Times Company.

1998: Angus King re-elected governor

In 1998, independent Angus King was re-elected governor after being endorsed by the Portland Press Herald.

2004: Portland.com sold

In 2004, under Richard Connor, Portland.com was sold to a marketing firm and became a visitor's guide for the city of Portland, Oregon.

2006: Missouri Lifestyle Journalism Award

In 2006, the Portland Press Herald received a Missouri Lifestyle Journalism Award for General Excellence, Class III.

February 3, 2007: Controversial Advertisement

On February 3, 2007, a controversial advertisement in the Portland Press Herald's "religion and values" section caused outrage in the Jewish community.

March 17, 2008: Format Change and Sale Announcement

On March 17, 2008, the Portland Press Herald converted to a two-section format and the Blethens announced they were putting the paper up for sale.

June 15, 2009: Sale to MaineToday Media

On June 15, 2009, the Portland Press Herald was sold to MaineToday Media, Inc., headed by Richard L. Connor.

September 11, 2010: Controversy over Ramadan Story

On September 11, 2010, publisher Richard L. Connor apologized for a front-page story on local Ramadan celebrations in the Portland Press Herald.

2010: Press Herald endorses Republican candidates

In 2010, the Portland Press Herald endorsed conservative Republican candidates Dean Scontras and Jason Levesque in both of Maine's congressional districts, but they were defeated.

2010: Sale of Press Herald Building

In 2010, under Richard Connor's ownership, the newspaper sold the Press Herald Building and printing plant and moved its news staff to the nearby One City Center office building.

2011: Financial Troubles and Connor's Departure

In 2011, the Portland Press Herald faced financial troubles, leading to staff reductions and the eventual departure of Richard L. Connor.

February 2012: Investment by Maine Values LLC

In February 2012, Maine Values LLC, owned by S. Donald Sussman, made a significant investment in MaineToday Media.

2012: Colin Woodard Receives George Polk Award

In 2012, Colin Woodard won a George Polk Award.

2013: Theft Insurance Payout

In 2013, Travelers Casualty & Surety Co. paid MaineToday Media over $500,000 to recoup money that former publisher Richard P. Connor had allegedly stolen for personal use.

2015: Colin Woodard Named Maine Journalist of the Year

In 2015, Colin Woodard was named Maine Journalist of the Year.

2015: Sale to Reade Brower

In 2015, MaineToday Media, including the Portland Press Herald, was sold to Reade Brower.

2015: Payday at the Mill Series

In 2015, Whit Richardson and Steve Mistler created the series 'Payday at the Mill'.

2015: Press Hotel Opens

In 2015, the 110-room Press Hotel opened in the newspaper's former headquarters.

2016: Colin Woodard Pulitzer Prize Finalist

In 2016, Colin Woodard of the Portland Press Herald was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting.

2016: Print plant purchased

In 2016, J.B. Brown & Co. purchased the print plant and its surrounding 21 acres for $4.9 million and leased the building back to the newspaper.

2016: Gerald Loeb Award

In 2016, Portland Press Herald reporters Whit Richardson and Steve Mistler received a Gerald Loeb Award for their 2015 series "Payday at the Mill".

2016: Press Herald endorses Hillary Clinton

In 2016, the Portland Press Herald's editorial board endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for president.

2020: Allan Kozinn's Departure

In 2020, Allan Kozinn, the classical music critic, left the Portland Press Herald.

2021: Press Hotel sold

In 2021, the Press Hotel was sold to a San Francisco-based real estate private equity firm.

July 2023: Purchase by National Trust for Local News Announced

In July 2023, it was announced that the National Trust for Local News would buy the Portland Press Herald from Reade Brower.

2023: Part of the Maine Trust for Local News

Since 2023, the Portland Press Herald has been part of the Maine Trust for Local News, a nonprofit group run by the National Trust for Local News.

October 2024: Leadership Changes

In October 2024, Carolyn Fox replaced Steve Greenlee as executive editor, and Lisa DiSisto stepped down as publisher of the Portland Press Herald.

2024: Centralized Organizational Structure Implemented

In 2024, the Maine Trust for Local News implemented a centralized organizational structure across its properties, with Carolyn Fox as executive editor and Scott Monroe as managing editor.