Could this building be the heart and voice of the North? This is the Star Tribune. It stands as Minnesota’s largest newspaper. It ranks as the seventh-largest in the United States by circulation. The Star Tribune distributes news throughout the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. It also reaches the state and the Upper Midwest.
The Star Tribune’s story began long ago. The Minneapolis Tribune started in 1867. The Minneapolis Daily Star followed in 1920. These two papers were rivals. They eventually merged in 1982. This merger created the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. In 1987, it was renamed the Star Tribune. In 2024, the paper was renamed The Minnesota Star Tribune.
Let’s step back to the origins of the Minneapolis Tribune. Colonel William S. King, William D. Washburn, and Dorilus Morrison founded it. They aimed to unite the local Republican Party. The first issue appeared on May 25, 1867.
The Tribune faced challenges. In 1889, a fire destroyed its downtown headquarters. Seven people died and 30 were injured. The building and presses were a total loss.
William J. Murphy bought the Tribune in 1891. He modernized the printing equipment. The newspaper began experimenting with color printing. It also used halftone for photographs. In 1893, the Tribune sent its first correspondent to Washington D.C.
The Minnesota Daily Star had a different beginning. It was founded in 1920. It struggled to attract advertisers. The Daily Star went bankrupt in 1924.
The Cowles family purchased the Star in 1935. John Cowles Sr. managed it. In 1939, the Cowles family bought the Minneapolis Evening Journal. They merged the two newspapers into the Star-Journal. In 1941, they acquired the Tribune. They now owned the city’s major newspapers.
The Tribune became the morning newspaper. The Star-Journal was the evening newspaper. They published a joint Sunday edition.
In 1982, the afternoon Star was discontinued. The two papers merged into the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. In 1983, the Star and Tribune challenged a Minnesota tax on paper and ink. The Supreme Court ruled the tax unconstitutional. It violated the First Amendment.
The McClatchy Company bought Cowles Media Company in 1998. This ended the Cowles family’s 61-year ownership. In 2006, McClatchy sold the paper to Avista Capital Partners.
The Star Tribune filed for bankruptcy in 2009. It emerged from bankruptcy protection later that year. In 2014, Glen Taylor purchased the company. Taylor also owns the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx.
The Star Tribune has a rich history of awards. Journalists have won seven Pulitzer Prizes. The staff won a Pulitzer in 2021. This recognized their coverage of George Floyd’s murder.
Steve Grove became the publisher in April 2023. He succeeded Michael Klingensmith. Grove previously led the Google News Lab.
The Star Tribune moved its headquarters in 2014. It relocated to the Star Tribune Building at the Capella Tower complex. The old headquarters was demolished.
Today, the Star Tribune continues to inform and engage. It is a vital part of the Twin Cities community. The Star Tribune remains dedicated to delivering the news.