By: Brian Burns
LAKELAND, FL. – Another printed newspaper is seemingly getting out of the printed newspaper business slowly. The Ledger will stop printing the newspaper on Saturday and offer a six-day delivery model to its subscriber base.
“Beginning this weekend, The Ledger will cease the printing and home delivery of the newspaper on Saturdays, but will provide subscribers with a full digital replica of the publication that day, filled with local news, advertising and features such as comics and puzzles,” said Ledger Editor Leon Tucker.
Parent company USA Today is reportedly making this change at many newspapers throughout the US.
“News and sales staffing at The Ledger will not change as a result of this. However, those staffs will be even better aligned toward digital news delivery,” said Tucker in an announcement on Thursday.
“As we continue to strategically evolve our business model, the decisions we make will keep our loyal subscribers at the forefront. As The Ledger maintains its place as a vital part the Polk culture and landscape, we look forward to the continued support of the people and businesses occupying the community we are committed to serve,” added Tucker.
The paper was founded on August 22, 1924, as the Lakeland Evening Ledger. In 1927, it bought its main competitor, the morning Lakeland Star-Telegram. In 1967 the name was shortened to simply The Ledger.
The New York Times Company bought The Ledger in 1970 and owned it until 2012, when it sold its entire regional newspaper group to Halifax Media. In 2015, Halifax was acquired by New Media Investment Group.
Jerome Ferson became publisher of the newspaper on July 30, 2007. Kevin Drake became publisher of the newspaper on January 21, 2014. In October 2016, Drake left The Ledger to return to his hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, to work as a group publisher for GateHouse Media. But has since left the newspaper prior to the Gannett- Gatehouse acquisition.
Brian Burns, former publisher of The Tampa Tribune, joined The Ledger as publisher on January 25, 2017. I departed the newspaper on July 25, 2019, and started The Free Press. No new publisher had been named to the Ledger as of March 2022, and doubtful that one will be.
In February of 2021, Leon Tucker was named The Ledger’s executive editor. Tucker is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida.
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