The Herald-Sun: A History of Durham's Daily Newspaper
The Herald-Sun is a daily broadsheet newspaper serving Durham, North Carolina. As a primary source of news for the western counties of the Research Triangle, it provides coverage for Durham, Orange, Person, Granville, and Chatham counties. Currently owned by The McClatchy Company, the publication has a long and complex history rooted in the early development of local journalism in North Carolina.
The newspaper's current form is the result of a 1991 merger between two long-standing local publications: The Durham Morning Herald and The Durham Sun. While it has transitioned through various ownerships and digital evolutions, it remains a key media entity in the region.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1991 (via merger of papers dating back to 1853 and 1889).
- Current Owner: The McClatchy Company.
- Format: Daily Broadsheet.
- Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina.
- Digital Reach: Approximately 152,000 average monthly unique visitors.
- Print Circulation: 6,124 daily and 7,277 Sunday copies.
Evolution and History
Early Foundations
The roots of the publication trace back to the late 19th century. The Durham Morning Herald began in 1893 following the reorganization of The Durham Globe. This era saw a competitive landscape where former employees of The Globe formed The Globe Herald, which eventually became The Morning Herald. In 1929, the Durham Morning Herald Company expanded by acquiring The Durham Sun, an evening daily that had been operating since 1889.
The 1991 Merger
For decades, the papers were managed by the Rollins family. In 1991, under the leadership of Rick Kaspar—the first non-family member to run the organization—The Morning Herald and The Durham Sun were merged to create The Herald-Sun. This move was intended to modernize the company for the 21st century.
Ownership Transitions and Downsizing
The Paxton Media Group Era
On December 3, 2004, the Rollins family sold The Durham Herald Co. to the Paxton Media Group. While pre-sale appraisals valued the company at roughly $70 million, sources estimated the actual sale price at approximately $124 million. This transition marked the beginning of a period of significant instability and staff reductions.
Starting in January 2005, the newspaper underwent a series of five major downsizing events:
- 2005: 81 employees were fired, including the president, publisher, and several longtime editors and columnists.
- 2008: Further layoffs occurred alongside content reductions and the consolidation of feature sections into a smaller metro section.
- 2009: Seven newsroom staff members were eliminated.
- 2011: Seven more positions were cut, and production duties (copy editing and page design) were moved to the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer in Kentucky.
- 2013: Six additional staffers were dismissed, including the sports editor.
Acquisition by McClatchy
In late December 2016, Paxton sold The Herald-Sun to The McClatchy Company. This acquisition made it a sister publication to The News & Observer, the other major daily newspaper in the Research Triangle region.
Digital Presence and Circulation
The Digital Shift
The Herald-Sun launched its first website in 1995, winning a Newspaper Association of America Digital Edge Award in 1996. By 2003, the site was receiving over 3 million page views per month. However, following the 2005 Paxton acquisition, the digital offering was scaled back significantly due to the loss of IT staff and local content providers. The site later transitioned to outsourced technology via Matchbin Inc. and Radiate Media.
Circulation Trends
The newspaper has faced a steep decline in print readership since 2005. By early 2008, it was estimated that the paper reached less than 20% of households in its primary subscriber base of Durham and Orange counties. During the 2007-2008 period, it suffered the largest circulation loss of any daily newspaper in North Carolina.
| Year | Weekday Circulation | Sunday Circulation |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 50,612 | 56,363 |
| 2005 | 42,298 | 45,793 |
| 2008 | 29,449 | 30,192 |
| 2012 | 21,367 | 22,268 |
Controversies
The publication faced significant criticism during the 2006 Duke lacrosse case. Attorney Jim Cooney publicly accused The Herald-Sun of failing to demand proper legal processes and the presumption of innocence for the defendants. The paper was further criticized for not publishing editorials critical of then-Attorney General Mike Nifong, even as ethics charges were filed against him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who currently owns The Herald-Sun?
The Herald-Sun is currently owned by The McClatchy Company.
How was The Herald-Sun formed?
It was formed on January 1, 1991, through the merger of two earlier publications: The Durham Morning Herald and The Durham Sun.
What areas does the newspaper cover?
The paper focuses on the western counties of the Research Triangle, specifically Durham, Orange, Person, Granville, and Chatham counties.
Why did the newspaper experience significant staff cuts?
Following the acquisition by Paxton Media Group in 2005, the paper underwent multiple rounds of downsizing cited as being due to financial reasons and poor revenues.
What is the current digital reach of the publication?
The Herald-Sun averages approximately 152,000 unique monthly visitors and 941,000 monthly page views on its website.