Utoo Radio and Other News Sources, April 6, 2024 - Whitehorse Star owners announced Friday that the paper will close later this spring. 

The news followed a vigorous paper-saving campaign. Co-owner Michele Pierce and former Star writer Max Fraser announced a fresh approach in January to save the business. 

After the current sale failed and years of financial problems, Star owners announced its closure in a Friday letter. 

"More and more clients have shifted their advertising to social media sources, and continue to do so," the proprietors said. "This trend has become virtually impossible to compete with." 

Many Star employees have worked there for decades. 

"We appreciate their dedication," the letter said. "We express our deepest gratitude to our loyal readers, advertisers and community partners who have supported us throughout the generations."

The Star publishes nearly 40 pages of local and worldwide news three times a week, plus online. It's been printed since 1900. 

The Star's undermoderated comments section and provocative letters to the editor were sometimes criticized. 

Many of the national tributes and recollections posted on social media on Friday were warm and nostalgic. 

Eva Holland is a Whitehorse freelance writer and former Up Here Magazine editor. 

The news is "demoralizing" for many Yukon media workers, she said. She said competition between outlets and journalists tends to improve journalism. 

Reasonably, it's not a surprise given the industry, economy, and paper's issues. Still, it's surprising. She stated the Whitehorse Star is iconic.

On Friday, the paper's owners finished their letter with "Illegitimus non Carborundum", meaning "don't let the bastards grind you down". 

"It's been our honour and our pleasure serving this wonderful community," they wrote.