A Historic Partnership Dissolves (Image Credits: Pexels)
Las Vegas – The Las Vegas Review-Journal halted the printing of its longtime rival, the Las Vegas Sun, as an insert this week, marking the end of a decades-old arrangement.[1][2] Courts ruled the newspapers’ joint operating agreement unenforceable, paving the way for this shift to digital-only delivery for the Sun. Readers now encounter a slimmer Review-Journal without the Sun section, a change some hail for reducing paper waste in an era of declining print circulation.
A Historic Partnership Dissolves
The joint operating agreement between the Review-Journal and the Sun dated back to 2005, combining business operations like printing and distribution while keeping editorial teams separate.[1] Under this setup, the Sun appeared as a multi-page insert inside the larger Review-Journal, a practice that continued for more than 20 years. This arrangement, one of the last remaining in the United States, helped both papers navigate shrinking ad revenues and readership.
Tensions arose in 2019 when the Review-Journal sought to exit the deal, arguing the Sun had breached terms by filling pages with non-local content and launching campaigns against Review-Journal subscriptions.[1] The Sun countered with an antitrust lawsuit, but federal courts sided with the Review-Journal, declaring the agreement lacked required U.S. Justice Department approval under the Newspaper Preservation Act.
Court Rulings Seal the Print’s Fate
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the joint operating agreement unlawful, a decision the U.S. Supreme Court declined to overturn.[1] A subsequent district court order dissolved injunctions that had forced continued printing. Effective April 3, 2026, Review-Journal readers opened their papers to find no Sun insert for the first time in decades.[2]
The Sun vowed to fight back, with its attorney describing the halt as causing “irreparable harm to our community.”[2] Staff prepared print pages in hopes of a court-ordered resumption, but the Review-Journal maintained the move complied with judicial directives. This legal culmination ended the nation’s final joint operating agreement.
Environmental Benefits Highlighted by Readers
One reader expressed outright delight at the change, calling it a favor to the environment. Brad Swart Henderson wrote that the Sun’s insert had wasted printed resources for years, forcing him to discard it regularly.[3] “We did the environment a favor by moving on,” he stated, also noting relief from specific Sun content like publisher Brian Greenspun’s “Where I Stand” column.[3]
The shift aligns with broader industry trends toward digital, where newspapers eliminate print to cut costs and reduce environmental footprints. Print editions demand vast amounts of paper, ink, and energy for production and delivery. By going fully online, the Sun avoids contributing to landfill waste and deforestation pressures, though it must now secure independent printing if it pursues any future physical copies.
- Reduced paper usage: Thousands of inserts no longer produced daily.
- Lower carbon emissions: No trucks hauling extra newsprint sections.
- Digital accessibility: Sun’s website and social media reach hundreds of thousands without physical distribution.
- Cost savings for both papers: Aligns with declining print ad markets.
- Reader convenience: Easy scrolling past unwanted content online.
What Lies Ahead for Las Vegas News
The Sun, founded in 1950 by the Greenspun family as a liberal counterpoint to the conservative Review-Journal, plans to bolster its digital presence.[2] It maintains a robust website and social following, ensuring its voice persists amid the feud. The Review-Journal pledged to uphold comprehensive local coverage across platforms, positioning itself as the primary print and digital source for the valley.
Critics worry about diminished media diversity in a one-newspaper print market, but proponents see opportunity for innovation. The Review-Journal noted the Sun remains free to print independently, though economic realities favor online models everywhere.
| Aspect | Before April 3 | After April 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Print Availability | Sun insert in RJ | Digital only for Sun |
| Legal Status | JOA enforced by courts | JOA dissolved |
| Environmental Impact | High paper waste | Reduced waste |
Key Takeaways:
- The end of Sun printing stems from a 6½-year legal battle over an unapproved joint agreement.
- Readers like Henderson celebrate paper savings and less waste.
- Las Vegas media landscape tilts further digital, mirroring national trends.
This development underscores the twilight of print newspapers, blending rivalry, law, and ecology. As Las Vegas adapts, the quieter rustle of pages gives way to screen scrolls. What impact will this have on local journalism? Share your thoughts in the comments.
