The Austin American-Statesman is the principal daily newspaper serving Austin, Texas. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc., a prominent mass media holding company, the newspaper is well-regarded for its extensive coverage of Central Texas, with a particular emphasis on political reporting. Beyond politics, the Austin American-Statesman also excels in capturing the rich culture and heritage of Austin, especially its vibrant music scene. The newspaper’s coverage of the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival is particularly notable, as it provides in-depth reporting on one of the city’s most iconic events.
In addition to its primary publication, the Austin American-Statesman also publishes a weekly Spanish-language newspaper called ¡ahora sí! This publication serves the Hispanic community in Austin, offering news and features that cater to Spanish-speaking readers. Moreover, the Austin American-Statesman collaborates with the St. Petersburg Times on the non-profit initiative PolitiFact Texas, a fact-checking project that addresses issues critical to Austin and the broader Texas community.
In this article, we’ll delve into the history of the Austin American-Statesman, exploring how it evolved into Austin’s premier daily newspaper.
The History of the Austin American-Statesman
The origins of the Austin American-Statesman trace back to 1871 with the founding of the Democratic Statesman, a tri-weekly newspaper closely aligned with the state Democratic Party during the Reconstruction era. In 1873, the Democratic Statesman transitioned to a morning paper and, a year later, absorbed the Austin Tribune. This acquisition led the paper to become an evening publication, prompting a name change to the Austin Evening Statesman in 1916.
In 1914, the Austin American, a rival morning newspaper, was established. However, just five years later, Waco-based newspapermen Charles E. Marsh and E.S. Fentress purchased the Austin American. In 1924, they expanded their media holdings by acquiring the Evening Statesman. With both publications under one company, the Austin American and the Evening Statesman were published separately during the weekdays and combined into a single edition on Sundays, known as the Austin American Statesman.
In 1973, the newspapers were fully unified under the name American-Statesman, with four daily editions. Three years later, in 1976, the privately held conglomerate Cox Enterprises acquired the Statesman after purchasing the Waco newspaper company. The Statesman transitioned to a morning-only publication in 1987. In 2008, Cox Enterprises, amid efforts to reduce debt, put the Statesman up for sale along with most of its other newspaper assets. However, after a year of searching for a buyer, Cox pulled the Statesman off the market due to a lack of suitable offers.
As a result, the Statesman became part of Cox Media Group, a subsidiary that also encompassed Cox’s radio, television, and newspaper assets. In 2018, Cox Media Group announced the sale of the Statesman to GateHouse Media. That April, GateHouse Media declared that the Statesman would become the flagship of its expanding chain of newspapers. The following year, in 2019, GateHouse Media merged with Gannett Company, ultimately deciding to retain the Gannett name for the newly combined entity.
A Newspaper of Distinction
The Austin American-Statesman has earned numerous accolades over the years. It was named Newspaper of the Year by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors in 2013, 2014, and 2016, outperforming major competitors from San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. In 2015, the Statesman’s Spanish-language weekly newspaper, ¡ahora sí!, was recognized as the best Spanish-language newspaper in the country by the National Association of Hispanic Publishers.
Expanding Influence and Legacy
The Austin American-Statesman has not only played a crucial role in informing the residents of Austin and Central Texas, but it has also been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the area. Its dedication to covering the local music scene, political landscape, and community events has cemented its reputation as a vital source of news and information.
Today, under the ownership of Gannett, the Austin American-Statesman continues to adapt to the evolving media landscape while maintaining its commitment to quality journalism and community service. With a rich history and a promising future, the Statesman remains a cornerstone of Austin’s media landscape.
