5 Shocking Transformations And Deep History Of The Henderson Gleaner In 2025

The Henderson Gleaner, a cornerstone of journalism in Western Kentucky, is currently navigating one of the most transformative periods in its long history, marked by significant shifts in ownership, delivery methods, and a renewed focus on covering a booming local economy. As of late 2024 and early 2025, this daily newspaper, based in Henderson, Kentucky, remains the primary source for local news, sports, and community reporting, even as it adapts to the modern media landscape under the ownership of one of the nation’s largest publishing giants.

The paper’s commitment to covering the local impact of major economic developments, such as new industrial investments and municipal projects, has solidified its role as an indispensable resource for residents of Henderson County. Its recent changes reflect broader trends in the newspaper industry, emphasizing digital access and streamlined operations while still maintaining its deep roots in the community.

The Gleaner's Enduring Legacy and Evolving Ownership Profile

The Henderson Gleaner has a rich and complex history of changing hands, a common narrative for many regional newspapers. While its mission to serve the Henderson, KY area has remained constant, the corporate structure behind it has shifted dramatically over the past two decades, culminating in its current status under the colossal Gannett Co. Inc. umbrella.

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• Founding and Early Years: The Gleaner has been a fixture in Henderson for generations, serving as the trusted voice for local politics, community events, and obituaries.
• The E.W. Scripps Era: On October 31, 2000, The Gleaner was acquired by the E.W. Scripps Company, a move that integrated it with the operations of the Evansville Courier & Press, its neighbor across the Ohio River.
• Journal Media Group Acquisition: Scripps later divested its newspaper holdings, leading to the Journal Media Group taking over ownership of The Gleaner on April 1, 2015.
• The Gannett Takeover (Current Owner): The most significant change came in April 2016 when Gannett acquired Journal Media Group, making Gannett the current owner of The Henderson Gleaner. This acquisition placed the paper within the USA TODAY Network, a massive network of over 200 daily local newspapers.

This lineage of ownership is crucial, as the current operational shifts—from delivery methods to content standardization—are direct results of Gannett’s strategy to consolidate and modernize its extensive portfolio. The newspaper is published Tuesday through Sunday mornings, maintaining a nearly daily print presence for its readership.

Major Operational Shifts: Delivery and Content Standardization in 2025

The year 2025 has brought about noticeable, practical changes for Gleaner subscribers, driven by the economic realities and logistical challenges facing the modern newspaper industry. These changes are designed to ensure the paper's long-term sustainability while adapting to new distribution models.

The Transition to Postal Delivery

One of the most significant recent changes for subscribers is the transition to postal delivery. Following a trend seen in many regional papers owned by Gannett, The Gleaner has shifted away from traditional carrier delivery for many routes. This change, while sometimes causing adjustments for readers, is a cost-saving measure that allows the paper to maintain its print schedule while leveraging the existing infrastructure of the United States Postal Service (USPS).

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This move underscores the paper’s commitment to its print edition while acknowledging the need for operational efficiency. Subscribers now receive their Tuesday through Sunday editions via the mail, a clear sign of the evolving logistics of local journalism.

Standardizing Content: The Comic Strip Shift

In another move toward standardization across the USA TODAY Network, The Henderson Gleaner revised its comic strip offerings. In 2024, the paper announced it would publish 17 comic strips each Tuesday through Sunday, aligning its content with the network’s broader strategy. While seemingly minor, these content changes are part of a larger plan to streamline production and offer a consistent experience across Gannett's properties.

Henderson's Economic Boom: The Gleaner’s Top 3 2025 Stories

The Henderson Gleaner’s primary role remains local coverage, and in 2024–2025, that coverage has been dominated by a wave of major economic development announcements that are poised to reshape the region. The paper has been instrumental in keeping the community informed about these high-impact projects, which are vital for the city's future.

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1. The Alliance Coal Mine Grand Opening (2025)

One of the most anticipated events covered by The Gleaner is the grand opening of a new Alliance Coal mine in Henderson County, scheduled for June 2025. This development is a major economic story, signaling new jobs and significant investment in the county's industrial sector. The Gleaner’s reporting on the grand opening and its subsequent impact on local employment and infrastructure will be critical for the community.

2. The $23.5 Million Tyson Investment in Robards

Another major story dominating the business pages is Tyson’s significant $23.5 million investment in its Robards complex. This expansion highlights the ongoing strength of the region's agricultural and processing industries. The Gleaner has been tracking the progress of this investment, quoting key figures like Whitney Risley, the director of existing industry and workforce development for Henderson Economic Development, who is a central figure in these projects.

3. The City’s 2025 Business Incentive Package

Looking ahead, The Gleaner is also closely monitoring the City of Henderson’s plans for a formal announcement in 2025 regarding a new Business Incentive Package. This initiative, led by local government and economic development agencies, aims to stimulate further growth and is a key focus for local reporting. These efforts are part of the city’s broader strategy, which saw Henderson, KY, named a 2024 All-America City Finalist, a testament to its civic engagement and progress.

Topical Authority: Key People and Entities in Henderson News

To fully understand the local news ecosystem covered by The Henderson Gleaner, it's essential to recognize the key entities and figures that frequently appear in its pages. The paper provides comprehensive coverage across various sectors, including politics, public utilities, and community service.

• Political and Civic Figures: Former publisher and three-term mayor Steve Austin remains a prominent local figure, having been named the 2024 Distinguished Citizen by the Chamber. The paper also reports on the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development (HCPED) and the United Way of Western Kentucky, which recently celebrated the passing of the gavel to its 2024-2025 President Todd Myers.
• Public Utilities and Infrastructure: Essential coverage includes updates from Henderson Municipal Power & Light (HMP&L), which recently launched a new outage map and reporting system in 2025, a vital piece of infrastructure news for residents.
• Regional and Corporate Entities: The paper frequently covers the operations of its parent company, Gannett, and regional developments involving the Evansville Courier & Press.
• Core Coverage Areas: Beyond major headlines, The Gleaner provides daily reporting on local sports, obituaries, community events, and city council and school board discussions, maintaining its role as the essential daily record for Henderson County.

The Henderson Gleaner, despite the operational changes driven by its national ownership, continues to be the definitive source for local news in Henderson, Kentucky. By adapting its delivery model and focusing its reporting on the massive economic and civic developments of 2025, the paper is ensuring its relevance and maintaining its deep connection to the community it serves.