Missoula Independent

Last updated
Missoula Independent
Missoula Independent Logo.jpg
TypeNewspaper
Format Alternative Weekly
Owner(s) Lee Enterprises
Founded1991;31 years ago (1991)
Ceased publicationSeptember 11, 2018;3 years ago (2018-09-11)
Headquarters317 S. Orange St.
Missoula, MT 59802
Circulation 41,000 [1]
Website www.missoulanews.bigskypress.com

The Missoula Independent was a free weekly alternative newspaper in Missoula, Montana, United States. It was acquired by Lee Enterprises, owner of the daily Missoulian , in 2017. [2] On September 11, 2018, Lee Enterprises shut down the Independent without notice. [3]

The Independent published investigative journalism, political analysis, and critical coverage of local music and culture. The paper also maintained an events calendar for the Missoula area. The Independent also published nationally syndicated columns including "News Quirks" by Roland Sweet, "Advice Goddess" by Amy Alkon, "Free Will Astrology" by Rob Brezsny, and several local columns as well. The paper also published the "Jonesin" crossword puzzle by Matt Jones and the comic strip This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow. The Independent published a popular "Best of Missoula" issue every year that showcases readers' favorite food, culture, people, and media in the Missoula area.

The Missoula Independent was the largest weekly newspaper in Montana. It was published on every Thursday, and was delivered throughout western Montana. As of a 2015 audit, it had a circulation of 20,000 and was distributed from 500 locations.

In 2018, the Independent's non-management employees filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election on whether to affiliate with the News Guild for the purposes of collective bargaining. [4] In a letter sent to staff, general manager and former Independent owner Matt Gibson announced his position to the effort, stating that the newspaper is losing money. [5]

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Since its incorporation in 1885, Missoula, Montana has been one of the primary media markets in the state of Montana, beginning with the weekly newspaper the Missoula and Cedar Creek Pioneer. The Missoula single-broadcast over-air television media market has been the largest in Montana since 2002. Though Billings is the largest city in Montana, Missoula's single-broadcast over-air television media market includes Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Mineral, Lake, Flathead, and Sanders and serves over 113,000 television homes (2011). Missoula is also home to the state's third largest daily newspaper, the Missoulian, and the state's largest alternative weekly, the Missoula Independent.

References

  1. "Missoula Independent". Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  2. Indy Staff (2017-04-20). "You know that Lee bought the Indy. Do you know why?". Missoula Independent. Retrieved 2017-10-28.
  3. "Missoula Independent shuttered by parent company". Montana Kaimin. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  4. Ouellet, Nicky. "Missoula Independent Staff Work To Unionize" . Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  5. "Derek Brouwer on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-03-26.