The Arizona Republic
Encyclopedia
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix
. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.
Dwight B. Heard, a Phoenix land and cattle baron, ran the newspaper from 1912 until his death in 1929. The paper was then run by two of its top executives, Charles Stauffer and W. Wesley Knorpp, until it was bought by Midwestern newspaper magnate Eugene C. Pulliam
in 1946. Stauffer and Knorpp had changed the newspaper's name to The Arizona Republic in 1930, and also had bought the rival Phoenix Evening Gazette
and Phoenix Weekly Gazette, later known, respectively, as The Phoenix Gazette and the Arizona Business Gazette.
Pulliam's holding company, Central Newspapers, Inc., as led by Pulliam's widow and son, assumed operation of the Republic/Gazette family of papers upon the elder Pulliam's death. The Phoenix Gazette was closed in 1997 and its staff merged with that of the Republic. The Arizona Business Gazette is still published to this day.
In 1998, a weekly section geared towards college
students, "The Rep
", went into circulation. Specialized content is also available in the local sections produced for many of the different cities and suburbs that make up the Phoenix metropolitan area.
and the local Phoenix NBC
television affiliate, KPNX
. The Republic and KPNX combine their forces to produce their common local news website, www.azcentral.com. It is the most-visited site in the state of Arizona and is among the most-trafficked newspaper websites in the U.S.
winning cartoonist Steve Benson and Luis Manuel Ortiz, the only Hispanic member of the Arizona Journalism Hall of Fame. One of Arizona's best-known sports writers, Norm Frauenheim
, retired in 2008. Multiple staff members have been finalists for the Pulitzer Prize.
, was the victim of a car bombing on June 2, 1976, dying eleven days afterward. He had been lured to a meeting in Phoenix in the course of work on a story about corruption in local politics and business and the bomb detonated as he started his car to leave. Retaliation against his pursuit of organized crime in Arizona is thought to be a motive in the murder.
in both the 2000
and 2004 presidential elections
. In local elections, it has recently endorsed Democratic candidates such as former Arizona Governor and now Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
and former Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell
. On October 25, 2008, the paper endorsed Arizona Senator John McCain
for president.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.
Early years
The newspaper was founded May 19, 1890, under the name The Arizona Republican.Dwight B. Heard, a Phoenix land and cattle baron, ran the newspaper from 1912 until his death in 1929. The paper was then run by two of its top executives, Charles Stauffer and W. Wesley Knorpp, until it was bought by Midwestern newspaper magnate Eugene C. Pulliam
Eugene C. Pulliam
Eugene Collins Pulliam was an American newspaper publisher and businessman who was the founder and longtime president of Central Newspapers Inc., a multi-billion dollar media corporation....
in 1946. Stauffer and Knorpp had changed the newspaper's name to The Arizona Republic in 1930, and also had bought the rival Phoenix Evening Gazette
Phoenix Gazette
The Phoenix Gazette was a newspaper published in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. It was founded in 1881, and was known in its early years as the Phoenix Evening Gazette....
and Phoenix Weekly Gazette, later known, respectively, as The Phoenix Gazette and the Arizona Business Gazette.
Pulliam era
Pulliam, who bought the two Gazettes as well as the Republic, ran all three newspapers until his death in 1975 at the age of 86. A strong period of growth came under Pulliam, who imprinted the newspaper with his conservative brand of politics and his drive for civic leadership. Pulliam was considered one of the influential business leaders who created the modern Phoenix area as it is known today.Pulliam's holding company, Central Newspapers, Inc., as led by Pulliam's widow and son, assumed operation of the Republic/Gazette family of papers upon the elder Pulliam's death. The Phoenix Gazette was closed in 1997 and its staff merged with that of the Republic. The Arizona Business Gazette is still published to this day.
In 1998, a weekly section geared towards college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
students, "The Rep
The Rep
The Rep was a weekly entertainment guide, in tabloid format, published by The Arizona Republic from 1997 to 2006. It was recently replaced by a similar section simply named Calendar.-External links:*...
", went into circulation. Specialized content is also available in the local sections produced for many of the different cities and suburbs that make up the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Gannett purchase
Central Newspapers was purchased by Gannett in 2000, bringing it into common ownership with USA TodayUSA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
and the local Phoenix NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
television affiliate, KPNX
KPNX
KPNX is a full-service television station serving the Phoenix, Arizona television market as the NBC affiliate. Its studios and offices are located in Phoenix and its transmitter is on South Mountain in Phoenix but it is licensed to the suburb of Mesa. It is owned by the Gannett Company which also...
. The Republic and KPNX combine their forces to produce their common local news website, www.azcentral.com. It is the most-visited site in the state of Arizona and is among the most-trafficked newspaper websites in the U.S.
Staff
Notable figures include Pulitzer-prizePulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winning cartoonist Steve Benson and Luis Manuel Ortiz, the only Hispanic member of the Arizona Journalism Hall of Fame. One of Arizona's best-known sports writers, Norm Frauenheim
Norm Frauenheim
Norm Frauenheim is a sports writer from Arizona. Frauenheim has a weekly boxing column at The Arizona Republic. Apart from his duties as boxing writer, he also reports on Phoenix Suns NBA basketball games, going to every Suns' game throughout the NBA season, and he works on NCAA basketball games...
, retired in 2008. Multiple staff members have been finalists for the Pulitzer Prize.
Don Bolles murder
An investigative reporter for the newspaper, Don BollesDon Bolles
Don Bolles was an American investigative reporter whose murder in a bombing is linked to the Mafia.-Biography:...
, was the victim of a car bombing on June 2, 1976, dying eleven days afterward. He had been lured to a meeting in Phoenix in the course of work on a story about corruption in local politics and business and the bomb detonated as he started his car to leave. Retaliation against his pursuit of organized crime in Arizona is thought to be a motive in the murder.
Editorial positions
The Arizona Republic editorial board endorsed President George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
in both the 2000
United States presidential election, 2000
The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....
and 2004 presidential elections
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
. In local elections, it has recently endorsed Democratic candidates such as former Arizona Governor and now Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano is the third and current United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She is the fourth person to hold the position, which was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the 21st...
and former Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell
Harry Mitchell
Harry E. Mitchell is a former U.S. Representative who represented from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career :...
. On October 25, 2008, the paper endorsed Arizona Senator John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
for president.
Sections
- Valley and State
- Classifieds
- News (first section)
- Sports
- Arizona Living
- Calendar (formerly The Rep) (Thursdays only)
- Travel (Sundays only)
- Arts & Entertainment (Sundays only)
- Business
- Local (localized compact newspapers referred to as "Community papers/editions" Wednesday-Saturday only)