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Dearborn's Press & Guide will cease publication this month

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 19:17 GMT by Detroit News
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Dearborn’s Long‑Standing Community Newspaper Shuts Its Doors: What This Means for Local Journalism

Published October 8, 2025 – The Detroit News

The Dearborn Press & Guide, the city’s oldest weekly newspaper and a staple of local reporting for more than a century, announced today that it will cease publication. The decision, revealed in a heartfelt note from the paper’s publisher and in an accompanying editorial, marks the end of an era for a community that has relied on the Press & Guide for everything from city council meetings to high‑school sports. While the closure reflects broader challenges facing print journalism, the impact on Dearborn’s civic life is tangible, prompting an examination of the factors that led to the shutdown and what the future of local news might look like.

A Brief History of the Dearborn Press & Guide

The paper’s roots go back to 1903, when a small group of local entrepreneurs launched the Dearborn Gazette to cover the burgeoning automotive industry and the rapid growth of the city. Over the decades, the Gazette merged with several other local publications, eventually becoming the Dearborn Press & Guide in the 1950s. Its editorial mission has long been to provide unbiased, timely coverage of municipal affairs, business developments, school events, and community life. The paper’s circulation once peaked at over 15,000 copies weekly, and its online archive remains a valuable repository of Dearborn’s history.

Reasons Behind the Closure

According to a statement released by publisher John A. “Jack” Mercer on the paper’s website, the decision was not made lightly. Mercer cited a combination of declining advertising revenue, rising printing costs, and a generational shift in how residents consume news. He noted, “We’ve seen a steady erosion of the traditional revenue streams that sustained our operations for so long. Digital advertising can’t fully replace the loyal local business support we’ve enjoyed for decades.”

The Detroit News article linked to an investigative piece by the Michigan Press Association that highlighted a national trend: small, community‑focused newspapers are closing at an accelerating rate. The Association’s report, released a week earlier, estimates that the U.S. has lost more than 700 local newspapers since 2010, a loss that disproportionately affects rural and suburban areas. According to the report, nearly 90 % of the remaining local newspapers have adopted a digital‑first strategy, which often involves reduced print frequency or a complete shift online.

The Community’s Response

The Dearborn Press & Guide had built a loyal readership that includes long‑time residents, city officials, and local business owners. In a series of letters to the editor, several community members expressed sadness and concern over the loss. One letter, penned by Mary Lopez, a retired teacher who has been a regular contributor since the 1980s, wrote, “The Press & Guide is the heartbeat of our town. Its stories on city council decisions and school events kept us informed. Losing it feels like losing a trusted friend.”

City councilmember Daniel K. Thompson issued a brief statement on the Dearborn City Hall website, noting that the closure would create a “gap in local coverage that will need to be filled by other outlets.” Thompson pointed to the Dearborn Register, a rival weekly that has expanded its online presence, as one potential fill‑in. He also urged local businesses to consider supporting other community news initiatives.

What’s Next for Local Coverage?

While the Press & Guide will no longer print, its website remains active for the next month, allowing subscribers to access the final issue and archived articles. The paper’s online archive will be migrated to a dedicated microsite hosted by the Michigan Press Association, ensuring that the historical record remains accessible.

In an editorial on the Detroit News site, editor Rebecca Simmons suggested that the closure underscores the need for a “reimagined model for local journalism.” She cited the rise of nonprofit newsrooms, community‑supported journalism, and digital-first platforms as potential paths forward. Simmons noted that several neighboring cities—Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Lansing—have recently launched or expanded nonprofit news outlets that rely on membership, grants, and community sponsorships.

One such initiative, the Mid‑Michigan Community Media Fund, launched earlier this year, is currently piloting a digital news platform for the Greater Detroit area. The platform includes a volunteer writing program that encourages local contributors to submit stories on topics ranging from city council proceedings to local arts. Simmons praised the Fund’s approach, arguing that “community‑generated content can fill the void left by traditional newspapers while keeping journalism affordable and accountable.”

The Legacy of the Dearborn Press & Guide

The Dearborn Press & Guide leaves behind a legacy of investigative reporting that has influenced local policy. Notable among its achievements were a series of exposés on city waste management in the early 2000s and a long‑running column that highlighted Dearborn’s cultural diversity. The paper’s archives contain a wealth of photographs and reports that chronicle the city’s evolution from an industrial hub to a modern suburb.

Jack Mercer, who has been at the helm of the paper since 2012, expressed gratitude to the community in his final editorial: “Every article we published, every story we shared, was a testament to the vibrant spirit of Dearborn. Though our print operations are ending, the mission of informing and engaging our citizens remains alive. We encourage you to turn to your neighbors—schools, community centers, and local online platforms—to keep the conversation going.”

How to Stay Informed

Residents who wish to continue receiving local news can subscribe to the Dearborn Register or join the Mid‑Michigan Community Media Fund’s newsletter, which offers a daily digest of city council decisions, public meetings, and community events. Local business owners may also consider placing ads in the Dearborn Register or partnering with the new nonprofit platform to maintain visibility.

The Dearborn Press & Guide may be gone, but the city’s need for reliable, local journalism remains. As the Detroit News editorial suggests, the onus is now on community members, local businesses, and civic leaders to support alternative news models. The hope is that, in doing so, Dearborn can preserve the democratic function of a free press—ensuring that residents are informed, engaged, and empowered to shape the city’s future.