History of The Detroit News in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 15, 2026

The Detroit News is a major daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, owned by USA Today Co. It shares a historical rivalry with the Detroit Free Press and operated under a joint operating agreement with them from 1989 until 2025.

1917: Detroit News building erected

In 1917, The Detroit News building was erected, designed by Albert Kahn.

February 1, 1919: Absorbed Detroit Tribune

On February 1, 1919, The Detroit News absorbed the Detroit Tribune.

August 20, 1920: Began broadcasting

On August 20, 1920, The Detroit News began broadcasting on station 8MK, which claimed to be the first newspaper in the world to operate a radio station.

1920: Building built

The Albert Kahn-designed former Cadillac showroom, where The Detroit News moved in December 2024, was built in 1920.

July 21, 1922: Absorbed Detroit Journal

On July 21, 1922, The Detroit News absorbed the Detroit Journal.

1931: Bought camera aircraft

In 1931, The Detroit News bought a three-place Pitcairn PCA-2 auto-gyro as a camera aircraft.

1935: Lockheed Model 9 Orion purchased

In 1935, The Detroit News purchased a single Lockheed Model 9 Orion, which was modified by Lockheed as a news camera plane.

1947: Established first television station

In 1947, The Detroit News established Michigan's first television station, WWJ-TV, now WDIV-TV.

1958: Self-described political stance

In 1958, The Detroit News described itself as consistently conservative on economic issues and consistently liberal on civil liberties issues.

November 7, 1960: Bought and closed Detroit Times

On November 7, 1960, The Detroit News bought and closed the Detroit Times, but retained the Times building for use as a printing plant.

1967: Bricked-in arches

After the 12th Street Riot in 1967, the arches along the east and south side of The Detroit News building were bricked-in for protection.

1975: New facility opened

In 1975, The Detroit News opened a new printing facility in Sterling Heights.

1978: Demolition of Times building

In 1978, the Detroit Times building, formerly owned by The Detroit News, was demolished.

1985: Merger with Gannett

In 1985, the Evening News Association, owner of The Detroit News, merged with Gannett.

1989: Joint operating agreement with Free Press

In 1989, The Detroit News entered a joint operating agreement with the Detroit Free Press, combining business operations while keeping separate editorial staffs.

1989: Joint operating agreement

In 1989, The Detroit News entered into a joint operating agreement with the Detroit Free Press that lasted until 2025.

1992: Debut column

Deb Price's debut column in The Detroit News in 1992 was the first syndicated national column in American mainstream media that spoke about gay life.

July 13, 1995: Newspaper strike

On July 13, 1995, Newspaper Guild employees of the Detroit Free Press and The News went on strike.

February 1997: End of strike

In February 1997, the unions ended their strike against Detroit Newspapers.

1998: Free Press moved into The News building

In 1998, the Detroit Free Press moved into The Detroit News building.

2004: No presidential endorsement

In 2004, The Detroit News did not endorse George W. Bush for re-election.

August 3, 2005: Sale to MediaNews Group

On August 3, 2005, Gannett announced that it would sell The Detroit News to MediaNews Group and purchase the Free Press from Knight Ridder.

May 7, 2006: End of joint weekend edition

Until May 7, 2006, The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press published a single joint weekend edition.

December 16, 2008: Home delivery limited

On December 16, 2008, Detroit Media Partnership announced a plan to limit weekday home delivery for both dailies to Thursday and Friday only.

March 30, 2009: New arrangement went into effect

On March 30, 2009, the arrangement to limit weekday home delivery to Thursday and Friday went into effect.

February 2014: Move announced

In February 2014, the DMP announced its offices, along with The Detroit News and the Free Press, would move to the former Federal Reserve building.

2014: Robert Snell named Michigan Journalist of the Year

In 2014, Robert Snell of The Detroit News was named Michigan Journalist of the Year.

2016: Endorsed Gary Johnson

In 2016, The Detroit News endorsed Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson for president.

2018: Robert Snell named Michigan Journalist of the Year

In 2018, Robert Snell of The Detroit News was named Michigan Journalist of the Year.

2020: Robert Snell named Michigan Journalist of the Year

In 2020, Robert Snell of The Detroit News was named Michigan Journalist of the Year.

2020: No presidential endorsement

In 2020, The Detroit News did not endorse Donald Trump for president.

December 2024: Moved to Cadillac Showroom

In December 2024, The Detroit News moved to the historic Albert Kahn-designed former Cadillac showroom.

2024: Did not endorse a candidate

In 2024, The Detroit News continued to withhold its endorsement from Donald Trump and did not endorse a candidate.

January 2025: Plant closure announced

In January 2025, Gannett (now USA Today Co.) announced that the Sterling Heights plant that printed The Detroit News and Free Press would close.

June 2025: Dissolution of Detroit Media Partnership announced

In June 2025, it was announced that the Detroit Media Partnership would be dissolved.

December 28, 2025: Partnership dissolved

The Detroit Media Partnership was dissolved, with MediaNews Group and Gannett operating the Detroit News and Free Press independently effective December 28, 2025.