Today, it was announced in a meeting that Wick Communications, the company that has owned the Tucson Weekly since 2000, has sold it (along with Inside Tucson Business) to 10/13 Communications, the owner of The Explorer, the East Valley Tribune and other publications.

In the words of the press release I was handed, “Terms of the transaction were not announced.”

This article appears in Apr 17-23, 2014.

The editor of the Tucson Weekly. I have no idea how I got here.

25 replies on “Tucson Weekly to Be Sold to 10/13 Communications”

  2. Terms have been released: The Weekly was had for a cracked catcher’s mask and a bag of balls. Welcome to the suburban newspaper plantation.

  3. this is not good, not good at all. Randy Miller – google him. seems like there’s a chance the paper will be a-changing some.

  4. Hopefully they have the good sense to keep Tom Danehy.The first time i called the radio show i told him “We are the exact opposite politically,i really enjoy your column in the Tucson Weekly and i can’t find a bad thing to say about you.”I still think that.Take care.Brian

  6. This will mean T.W.going to hell,since observing the East Valley Tribune has gone from 7 day investigative paper,to only Sunday paper full of press releases only.

    Get rid of 10/13 Communications immediately!!!!!!

  7. Tucson continues its steady decline deeper into a meaningless, irrelevant backwater, except there isn’t much water…at least not drinkable water.

  8. From the Tucson Sentinel:

    The founder of the Weekly, Doug Biggers, said he is “disappointed to hear that Wick Communications has sold the Tucson Weekly. After 30 years of publication, it’s obvious to me that the brand is incredibly valuable. It’s depressing to see how they’ve completely squandered the opportunity as a result of mediocre leadership.”

    “From all I’ve heard, 10/13 Communications has a record of decimating publications they acquire and are not champions of quality journalism, despite their rhetoric,” Biggers said. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough if that’s the case with Tucson Weekly.”

  10. I’ve always liked the Tucson Weekly. I would hate to see it become a shadow of its former self, like so many other papers over the last few years.

  12. Sure is fun to watch the lib/prog/hippie weekly lovers throw a temper tantrum. Maybe you should spend your “work” day making some more protest signs.

  14. I for one would not want to see the demise of the Tucson Weekly. Where else can I beat up on Progressive Socialist Open Borders tie dyed t-shirt Birkensock readers. The only loss would be not to be able to read about Tom Dahehy prattle on forever about Girls Basketball and Charter Schools.

  15. When will the first edition of the Weekly come out under the new ownership? It will be interesting to see if any changes will be made that quickly. Please keep us posted Dan.

  16. I was totally floored by the news. Also, that all of the staff are laid off (with an opportunity to reapply for their jobs). I love you guys ..best of luck.

  17. Its starting to sink in…
    I was there for the last transition. Being sold to a chain. Moving out of downtown (before it was hip) and moving down to the airport in a corporate business park! No dogs allowed to roam the halls. But the soul survived while the body changed. That may not be the case this time. I’m comforted by the fact that the TW’s beginnings were incredibly humble and financed by caring individuals who were there when things really got tough (and infused more $$ to keep the lights on). The soul of a publication is really about the people who put it together. It can happen again. Advertisers willing. Have everyone reapply for their jobs? Seriously? You’re gonna have Nintz and Danehy and the gang reapply? Have the locks and passwords changed yet? I loved my time freelancing for the TW. I now have that same sinking feeling I had when the paper got sold to Wick. An era has passed.

  18. The staff should just get together and start a new one. The corporate version would fold within a year.

  19. I’d love to see Jim Nintzel team up with Doug Biggers and really raise some hell in this town. Any chance of that?

  20. Could the Tucson Weekly actually be WORSE than it currently is?
    Maybe the new owners will be more open to the concerns of Westside and other minority and working poor communities. The Weekly coverage of the city budget is a good example — they were SO upset about cuts to the arts, but no mention of decimating cuts to city housing, parks, general services and Sun Tran. And readers would be forgiven for not thinking there is anything wrong with Pima County other than Supervisor Miller. Skewed priorities.

    Chris Limberis, we miss you.

  21. Maybe this will lead to the creation of a new, quality “underground” paper to live up to the original spirit of the Weekly, even as the body turns?

  24. I recommend going online for your news now, as most media outlets are quickly being monopolized. I believe over 10,000 outlets are now owned by the same 5 corporations, 10/13 is a 1% wannabe company.

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