Press notes

Gannett Newspapers: Not long ago it appeared the giant newspaper chain was trying in Nevada to repeat its history. Gannett has a reputation for using predatory tactics to drive competing newspapers out of business.

In Nevada, it started or acquired newspapers in towns that already had them—a “Carson-Douglas edition” of the Reno Gazette-Journal, a weekly Carson Times, Fallon Star Press, Douglas Times, Fernley Leader and Dayton Courier.

The empire building now seems to be receding fast. Most of these titles are gone, and the last edition of the free weekly Carson Times will appear this week. This is happening as the Reno flagship newspaper lays off 35 people.

Sierra Sage: A few weeks ago, publisher/editor Len Simas announced that he would no longer rely solely on advertising to support his magazine—“[W]e have had to move to paid subscriptions only.” However, the latest edition of the gay-bashing, liberal-hating publication contains a response from Simas to a letter to the editor. It reads that he “will continue to offer free distribution in support of our advertisers.” Simas did not respond to a request for clarification.

Swift Communications: The small chain whose newspapers were among the targets of Gannett’s former expansions into the small counties is switching its newspapers, the Nevada Appeal in Carson City and the Gardnerville Record Courier, from broadsheet format to tabloid. (All the best newspapers are tabloid.)

Reno News & Review: Columnist Cory Farley has departed the RN&R to return to the Reno Gazette-Journal. At the same time, columnist Amanda Williams, who will soon graduate from UN and depart for Syria, is also leaving the newspaper. The changes were first reported by RN&R editor Brian Burghart on his blog on April 8. Burghart invited possible replacements to audition for the spots by sending him three 600-word columns on local topics at <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,98,114,105,97,110,98,64,110,101,119,115,114,101,118,105,101,119,46,99,111,109,34,62,98,114,105,97,110,98,64,110,101,119,115,114,101,118,105,101,119,46,99,111,109,60,47,97,62)) } </script>.