Whitehorse Star, the newspaper focused on Yukon news, will cease publication later this spring after 124 years of operation. 

Its owners stated that they had been working for several weeks with a small group of local residents to sell the Star. However, negotiations were unsuccessful, so they decided to cease publication and operations. “This decision has not been made lightly, but due to several overwhelming factors persistently working against us, it is necessary. It’s no surprise to most that the newspaper industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, a decline in circulation being one,” said the owners in a release.

One of the factors that has affected the Star has been that brands are increasingly moving advertising to other media, especially social networks, and the outlook for the future is that they will continue to do so, says the newspaper.

“This trend has become virtually impossible to compete with,” said the company. “Sustaining operations has become increasingly difficult. Even though we have explored several options, it is no longer feasible to carry on business operations.”

Whitehorse Star is one of Canada’s few independently owned newspapers, having covered Yukon news for over a century. It started as the Northern Star in 1900, later becoming the Whitehorse Daily Star and, since 2019, the Whitehorse Star. The newspaper, which is also available online, has covered significant historical events such as the construction of the Alaska Highway and the relocation of the territorial capital from Dawson City to Whitehorse in 1953.

The closure comes after the newspaper’s co-owner, Michele Pierce, unveiled a new business strategy in January to boost readership, income, and content. Pierce, in a statement, asked for feedback from residents, readers, and advertisers to help define the paper in the future years. She stated that the community’s opinion would help them make future decisions.

The final issue will be published on May 17 and will feature highlights of its history, tributes to its staff, and submissions from past editors. The newspaper said subscribers will receive further details on refunds or alternative arrangements.