The Daily News is a venerable American newspaper that once had the largest circulation of any daily newspaper in the world. It was famous for its headlines such as “Ford to City: Drop Dead!” and had a legendary editorial staff that included John McClure, who edited the newspaper for over 50 years. In addition to its intense city news coverage, the paper also featured celebrities, classified ads, comics, and a sports section.
In Death of the Daily News, reporter Andrew Conte focuses on one small town — McKeesport, Pennsylvania — that experienced its own version of what is happening across America as local newspapers decline and disappear, and their societal consequences are felt. His engrossing, deep reporting offers insight into how we get our news and how it can affect the way we see our communities.
Conte’s exploration of the effects of the demise of the Daily News is a compelling example of what happens when a major newspaper closes its doors. It is a cautionary tale for the future of journalism, as we see many versions of this story unfolding all over the country. Fortunately, we are seeing some examples of local citizens taking matters into their own hands and becoming gatekeepers to information for the people in their communities. This can be done in both good and bad ways, as seen in the case of McKeesport.
The Yale Daily News Historical Archive was made possible by an anonymous gift from a Yale alumnus in 2021. This gift enabled the Archive to be migrated to a new, more user-friendly platform and expanded to include issues from 1996 through the present. The archive is a vital source of research and history about the Daily News, and provides a unique perspective on how newspapers have changed over time.
Founded in 1878, the Daily News is Yale’s oldest college newspaper. It publishes Monday through Friday during the academic year. It covers Yale and the surrounding region, with a particular focus on news and events that impact Yale and its students. The News is financially and editorially independent of the University. The News also publishes a weekly Friday supplement, WKND, the Yale Daily News Magazine and special issues during the year celebrating Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in collaboration with Yale’s cultural centers and affiliated student groups.
Anyone may submit a column to the News, but preference is given to those with a strong connection to Yale or New Haven. Submissions should make a clear, defensible argument using credible evidence and address issues that are of interest to the Yale-New Haven community. The News reserves the right to edit submitted columns for length and clarity. Columns may be reprinted in part or full in the print and online edition of the newspaper. Reprints are subject to copyright restrictions and may require permission. For more information, please contact the News Editors.