Portland’s Black-Owned Newspaper The Skanner Ends Operations After 50 Years Amid Digital Advertising Shifts

A landmark community outlet closes after decades of reporting in Portland and the Pacific Northwest

The Skanner, a Portland-based Black-owned newspaper founded in 1975, has ceased operations, ending a 50-year run that included print publishing, digital reporting, and community programming. The closure was confirmed by co-founder and executive editor Bobbie Dore Foster, who said the business formally closed on Jan. 30, 2026.

The outlet had already transitioned away from print: it stopped regular print publication in 2023 and continued as an online-only publication. A final digital edition was published on Jan. 7, 2026. In the days following the closure, the publication’s website was no longer accessible.

Economic pressures on local news, accelerated by shifts in advertising

The closure reflects longstanding financial pressures affecting newspapers nationwide, particularly the migration of advertising revenue away from traditional outlets and toward major technology platforms and social media. The Skanner’s leadership cited technology changes and the loss of advertising as central factors in the decision to end operations.

The closure also affects a small remaining staff, including roles in sales, accounting, and design, underscoring how many local outlets have reduced headcount over time as revenues tightened and audiences moved online.

From Portland to Seattle: an outlet built to serve readers overlooked elsewhere

The Skanner began in Portland and later expanded with the launch of The Seattle Skanner in 1981, which ultimately merged with the Portland publication. Over the decades, the newspaper covered city, state, and national issues, including public safety, housing, and political accountability, while also documenting community events and achievements.

At its peak in the 1990s, the organization reported employing more than a dozen full-time staff and reached tens of thousands of readers through circulation across the Portland metro area.

Community role beyond journalism: events, scholarships, and civic visibility

The Skanner’s influence extended beyond news reporting through sponsorship of public events and civic initiatives. The Skanner Foundation has for years operated programs including scholarships for students, with awards commonly ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 under published eligibility requirements.

The foundation also became known for its long-running Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, which for decades brought together students, community leaders, and elected officials while recognizing achievement and awarding scholarships. Organizers previously announced there would be no MLK Breakfast in January 2025, while planning other anniversary-related programming.

Archiving and access: preserving a 50-year record

Preservation efforts are underway to ensure The Skanner’s reporting remains available for public research. The paper’s historic issues and related materials are held across multiple institutions, with digitization and archiving initiatives intended to expand long-term access to the newspaper’s record of Portland-area Black history and civic life.

• Business closure date: Jan. 30, 2026
• Final digital edition published: Jan. 7, 2026
• Founded: 1975
• Print publishing ended before closure, with an online-only phase beginning in 2023

The end of The Skanner closes a chapter in Portland’s local media ecosystem, while archiving efforts aim to keep its decades of reporting accessible for future readers.