(9-8-26) The Toledo Blade is reporting that if Block Communications is unable to find a buyer for the newspaper, it will cease publication at the end of 2026. Leaders of The Blade say they plan to shut down by the end of the year unless a buyer steps in.

Toledo Blade story…

Block Communications has announced its intention to explore a sale of The Blade’s assets, which, if unsuccessful, will result in the final edition of the newspaper being published Dec. 31. 

“Unfortunately, an extremely difficult decision has been made,”

Jodi Miehls, president and chief operating officer of Block Communications, said in an email to Blade staff on Tuesday.

Miehls continued-

“The Block Family’s continued investment to keep the Blade open is no longer an option. The financial losses the Blade has endured for years are simply not sustainable.

Block Communications has decided to begin exploring the possible sale of the Blade’s assets. Should those efforts fail, The Blade will publish its final edition on Thursday, December 31st, 2026. This will include both print and digital.”

Founded in 1835, the newspaper is Toledo’s oldest continually operating business. Businessman and newspaper mogul Paul Block, Sr., took control of The Toledo Blade on Aug. 30, 1926. 

Mr. Block — grandfather of John Robinson Block, The Blade’s publisher and editor-in-chief, and his brother, Allan Block, CEO of the newspaper’s parent company Block Communications Inc. — was introduced to the newspaper staff on Aug. 30, 1926.

That date in 1926 “will long be remembered by us as the beginning of a new era of good will in our association with the Toledo Blade,” stated an advertisement printed the next day in the newspaper, listing the names of all of the newspaper’s employees.

“This was not an easy decision.”

Ms. Miehls said in Tuesday’s email, which came 100 years and eight days after that 1926 advertisement. 

“Block Communications Board of Directors and the Block Family are truly disappointed to have reached this point. Unfortunately, the realities facing local journalism have left us in this situation.”

The Blade has 119 employees.

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