History of The Detroit News in Timeline

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The Detroit News

The Detroit News, a major newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, was founded in 1873. Over time, it absorbed several rival newspapers, including the Detroit Tribune, the Detroit Journal, and the Detroit Times, with the latter being bought and closed in 1960. The Detroit News retained and utilized the Detroit Times building as a printing plant until 1975. In 1985, The Evening News Association, which owned The Detroit News, merged with Gannett.

3 hours ago : Michigan urged to end political slush funds as Whitmer-linked nonprofit raises millions.

The Detroit News criticizes Michigan's political slush funds and a Whitmer-linked nonprofit that received $7.7M from secret donors in 2024, urging reforms.

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1917: Detroit News Building Erected

In 1917, The Detroit News building was erected. Designed by architect Albert Kahn, it featured a faux-stone concrete building with large street-level arches.

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February 1, 1919: Absorbed Detroit Tribune

On February 1, 1919, The Detroit News absorbed the Detroit Tribune, expanding its reach and readership.

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August 20, 1920: Began Radio Broadcasting

On August 20, 1920, The Detroit News began operating radio station 8MK, claiming to be the first newspaper in the world to do so; the station is now CBS-owned WWJ.

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1920: Cadillac Showroom Built

In 1920, the historic Albert Kahn-designed former Cadillac showroom was built at 6001 Cass Avenue. It would later become the location for The Detroit News.

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July 21, 1922: Absorbed Detroit Journal

On July 21, 1922, The Detroit News absorbed the Detroit Journal, further consolidating its position in the Detroit newspaper market.

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1931: Bought Pitcairn PCA-2 Auto-Gyro

In 1931, The Detroit News bought a three-place Pitcairn PCA-2 auto-gyro as a camera aircraft, which could take off and land in restricted places. It was an ancestor of today's news helicopter.

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1935: Purchased Lockheed Model 9 Orion

In 1935, The Detroit News purchased a Lockheed Model 9 Orion and modified it as a news camera plane. A pod with a glass dome and a mounted camera was built into the right-wing.

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1947: Established Television Station WWJ-TV

In 1947, The Detroit News established WWJ-TV, Michigan's first television station, which is now WDIV-TV and an NBC affiliate.

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1958: Editorial Statement on Political Stance

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

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November 7, 1960: Bought and Closed Detroit Times

On November 7, 1960, The Detroit News bought and closed the faltering Detroit Times, eliminating a competitor but retained the building for its printing plant.

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1967: Arches Bricked-In After 12th Street Riot

Following the 12th Street Riot in 1967, the arches on the east and south sides of The Detroit News building were bricked-in for protection.

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1975: New Printing Facility Opened

In 1975, The Detroit News opened a new printing facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan, replacing the former Detroit Times building as its primary printing location.

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1978: Detroit Times Building Demolished

In 1978, The Detroit News demolished the former Detroit Times building, which it had used as a printing plant until 1975. The location is now known as "Times Square."

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1985: Merged with Gannett

In 1985, the Evening News Association, which owned The Detroit News, merged with Gannett, a large media conglomerate.

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1989: Joint Operating Agreement with Free Press

In 1989, The Detroit News entered a 100-year joint operating agreement with the Detroit Free Press, combining business operations under the Detroit Media Partnership while maintaining separate editorial staffs.

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1992: Deb Price's Debut Column

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

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July 13, 1995: Newspaper Strike Began

On July 13, 1995, Newspaper Guild employees of the Detroit Free Press and The News, along with other union workers, went on strike against the "Detroit Newspapers" distribution arm.

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February 1997: Unions Ended Strike

In February 1997, the unions ended their strike against the Detroit Newspapers, though approximately half of the staffers had crossed the picket line before it ended. The strike was later resolved in court.

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1998: Free Press Moved Into The News Building

In 1998, The Detroit Free Press moved into The Detroit News building as part of the joint operating agreement.

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2004: No Presidential Endorsement

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

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August 3, 2005: Gannett Announced Sale of The News

On August 3, 2005, Gannett announced it would sell The Detroit News to MediaNews Group and purchase the Detroit Free Press from Knight Ridder, becoming the managing partner in the papers' joint operating agreement.

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May 7, 2006: Joint Weekend Edition Ended

On May 7, 2006, the joint weekend edition published by The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press was discontinued, replaced by a stand-alone Sunday Free Press.

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December 16, 2008: Detroit Media Partnership Announced Delivery Limits

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

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March 30, 2009: Delivery Limits Went Into Effect

On March 30, 2009, the Detroit Media Partnership's plan to limit weekday home delivery went into effect, with smaller, redesigned papers sold at newsstands on other weekdays.

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February 2014: DMP Announced Office Move

In February 2014, the Detroit Media Partnership announced that its offices, along with those of The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press, would move to the former Federal Reserve building at 160 West Fort Street.

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2014: Robert Snell Named Journalist of the Year

In 2014, Robert Snell, a metro reporter for The Detroit News, was named Michigan Journalist of the Year by the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

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2016: Endorsed Gary Johnson

In 2016, The Detroit News endorsed Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson rather than Republican nominee Donald Trump for president.

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2018: Robert Snell Named Journalist of the Year

In 2018, Robert Snell, a metro reporter for The Detroit News, was again named Michigan Journalist of the Year by the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

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2020: Robert Snell Named Journalist of the Year

In 2020, Robert Snell, a metro reporter for The Detroit News, was again named Michigan Journalist of the Year by the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

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2020: Withheld Endorsement

In 2020, The Detroit News continued to withhold its endorsement from Donald Trump and did not endorse any candidate for president.

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December 2024: The Detroit News Moved to Cass Avenue

In December 2024, The Detroit News moved to the historic Albert Kahn-designed former Cadillac showroom at 6001 Cass Avenue, which was originally built in 1920.

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January 2025: Sterling Heights Plant to Shutter

In January 2025, Gannett, managing partner of DMP, announced that the Sterling Heights printing plant that produced The News and Free Press would close after the production run August 3, with production moving to other Gannett facilities.

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