Local Newspaper Chain in Alaska Deep-Freezed

Image via WikipediaThe toxic combination of low revenues and high distribution costs has led the Calista Corp. to pull the plug in August on its subsidiary Alaska Newspapers Inc. ("ANI"), The Alaska Dispatch reports.

ANI publications include The Arctic Sounder, The Bristol Bay Times, Tundra Drums, The Seward Phoenix LOG, The Cordova Times, The Dutch Harbor Fisherman and a statewide magazine, First Alaskans. Calista's loss of patience with ANI's unprofitability means Alaska will no longer have a locally owned newspaper chain. The Anchorage Daily News, the state's largest newspaper, is owned by the McClatchy Co. chain and The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner is part of the Denver-based MediaNews Group.

Talk about a chilling effect on the news...