A consolidation effort will see a variety of local newspapers move their printing operations out of the market - resulting in the loss of about 20 employees.  Forum Communications will permanently move their printing facility to Brainerd at some point in April.  The Duluth News Tribune and the Superior Telegram are among the newspapers affected.

According to new sources, the permanent closure of the Duluth printing presses at their Airpark facility will cut 20 full time employees from the payroll, along with one part-timer.  Bill Rouse - Chief Operating Officer of Forum Communications offered:

"I would like to thank all of the employees that will be affected by the upcoming transition.  Their commitment and dedication to the company is and has been greatly appreciated.  We will commit to help all employees through the transition".

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The Duluth announcement came on the heels of similar closures in Fargo, Red Wing, Dickinson, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Mitchell, West Fargo, Willmar, and Worthington.  After all of the consolidation is over, Forum Communications will have four printing presses in three states:  "Brainerd and Detroit Lakes in Minnesota. Sioux Falls in South Dakota, and a plan in Fargo North Dakota".

The local newspapers affected include:

  • The Duluth News Tribune
  • Superior Telegram
  • Cloquet Pine Journal

The consolidation of printing press facilities is part of an overall plan that is the result of each of the newspapers reducing their printing days (i.e. the days that the print editions) and a shift towards digital delivery of their news content.  Bill Rouse summarized the move saying "[o]ur ability to adapt and change is important to our business and will enable us to best serve the communities these newspapers represent".

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