The Toledo Blade plans to stop publishing on Dec. 31, 2026, and lay off 116 employees unless a buyer steps in, according to a WARN notice filed with the state of Ohio on Friday.
The filing points to financial losses and the wider struggles of local journalism as the reasons. The Blade is a division of Block Communications, and the layoffs would begin during a 14-day window starting Dec. 31. Affected workers are represented by three unions: the Toledo NewsGuild, Teamsters Local 20 and IBEW Local 8.
The company says it is pursuing effects bargaining, severance and a possible sale to soften or avoid the closure. Block Communications President and COO Jodi Miehls told staff in an email that years of losses could no longer be sustained.
WTOL notes that talks between the Toledo NewsGuild and Block broke down in late August, when members voted 46-25 to reject a two-year contract over concerns about artificial intelligence job protections, reduced severance for senior staff and outsourcing. Guild leaders say they are willing to work with any buyer committed to local journalism. Founded in 1835, The Blade won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Journalism.
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