The Boston Globe will not publish a print edition for delivery on February 24 due to extreme weather conditions caused by a massive nor’easter. This decision marks the first time since the paper’s founding in 1872 that a daily edition has been canceled because of safety concerns for the print staff and distribution teams.
Josh Russell, vice president of print operations, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that even if a printing crew had been assembled, delivering newspapers safely was uncertain. He said, “We’re not confident that even if we got a crew in tonight, that we could get the papers on our trucks safely. We weren’t confident that that last mile would be doable.” The blizzard had already disrupted Monday’s delivery, with only 25 percent of the papers reaching subscribers.
Historic Significance of the Decision
This cancellation is unprecedented in the Globe’s long history, with the only past print interruptions occurring during labor strikes in the 1950s and 1960s. Even the Blizzard of ’78 saw a limited number of copies printed, although harsh conditions prevented their delivery. Dan Stenstrom, the pressroom superintendent since 1985, highlighted the dedication of the press workers, many of whom commute from across the state. He noted, “They have a dedication to the process… As much as today gives them pause, they know they’ll be in there tomorrow.”
Chris Johnson, executive director of manufacturing, shared his personal challenges getting to the printing plant, reporting that it took two hours to reach the facility despite driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle. He described multiple incidents of vehicles stuck in snow, including being halted by a fire truck trapped on railroad tracks. Johnson concluded, “It was just not going to work. The risk reward is upside down.”
Implications for Subscribers and Retailers
While print subscribers will receive Tuesday’s newspaper on Wednesday, the Globe has confirmed that single-copy editions will not be available in retail outlets. Jamie Nee, executive director of sales strategy and fulfillment, explained this limitation, emphasizing the prioritization of subscriber deliveries under hazardous circumstances.
Context Within the Industry
Paul Tash, former chair of the Tampa Bay Times, reflected on the rarity of skipping print editions, even during hurricanes. The Times, which now prints only twice a week amid industry challenges, consistently produced editions in his nearly five decades there. He remarked, “We thought, at the time, we needed to preserve the news or preserve the paper. We stuck with the news.”
The Boston Globe has managed to maintain a daily print run while remaining profitable despite overall declines in print readership and advertising revenue. However, the extreme weather forced an unusual operational pause.
Continuing Digital Coverage
Despite the absence of a physical newspaper for Tuesday’s edition, the Globe has continued to publish all news stories online. This digital continuity contrasts with historical events such as the Blizzard of ’78, when staff members endured being snowed in at the newspaper’s former Morrissey Boulevard offices. According to former editorial writer Thomas Gagen, the Globe resumed publication the following day despite state-wide lockdowns.
The Globe’s current printing facility is located separately from its downtown Boston newsroom, posing further logistical challenges during severe storms. The 2016 switch to a new distribution partner also caused significant delivery disruptions, though those were resolved through staff efforts, including volunteer paper deliveries.
The unexpected decision to halt printing highlights the severe impact of the nor’easter and the ongoing commitment of Globe personnel despite dangerous conditions.
Read more at: www.bostonglobe.com