The Boise Weekly has a new owner. The Idaho Press announced it would be buying the alt-weekly Thursday morning.
“I’m elated, I’m excited, I’m terrified, probably all at the same time is how I would sum it up,” says Sally Freeman, publisher of the Boise Weekly for 17 years.
Freeman is quick to point out this won’t change her newspaper’s style or tone and her current staff will all keep their jobs – herself included.
That’s echoed by Matt Davison, publisher of the Idaho Press in Nampa. Adams Publishing Group acquired his newspaper and several others in Southwest Idaho a few months ago. Overall, Adams operates 11 other newspapers in Southern Idaho and more than 100 newspapers across the country.
Davison says the Idaho Press and the Boise Weekly have already had a longstanding partnership.
“Eventually it just became a real, perfect marriage and we decided to pull the trigger and partner up and take our message and expand our efforts into Ada County a little more aggressively and the addition of Boise Weekly is really going to help with that effort.”
That strong push into Ada County has included hiring longtime Spokesman Review reporter Betsy Russell to cover Idaho state government. The Idaho Press also recruited several other reporters focused on issues outside of its historic stronghold of Canyon County.
Such moves have left some wondering if there’s a brewing newspaper war between the Idaho Press and the Idaho Statesman.
“I don't know that I would call it a war, but I would say we are absolutely interested in providing a product that is timely, high-quality and available when readers want it,” Davison says.
He says he’s excited about his company’s expansion amid an industry that’s grown used to regular layoffs and cutbacks.
Freeman agrees, saying increased competition is ultimately better for everyone in the Treasure Valley.
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