Tue Feb 24 07:34:34 UTC 2026: ### The Boston Globe Halts Print Production for First Time in 153 Years Due to Record Snowstorm

The Story:
A historic snowstorm has forced The Boston Globe to suspend its daily print operations for the first time since its founding in 1872. Unprecedented snowfall and high winds on February 24, 2026, prevented staff from reaching the printing plant located in Taunton, Massachusetts. The decision reflects the increasing reliance on digital news consumption, as print readership has significantly declined in recent years.

The Globe plans to deliver Tuesday’s paper to print subscribers on Wednesday, weather permitting. While labor strikes in the 1950s and 1960s previously disrupted printing, this marks the first instance of a weather event completely halting production.

Key Points:

  • The Boston Globe suspended print production on February 24, 2026, due to a record-setting snowstorm.
  • Parts of Bristol County, Massachusetts, recorded 32 inches (81 centimeters) of snow.
  • The Globe’s printing plant is located in Taunton, Massachusetts.
  • A 2025 Pew Research Center survey indicated that only 7% of U.S. adults regularly get their news from print newspapers.
  • The last time a blizzard impacted The Globe’s distribution was nearly five decades ago, on February 7, 1978, although the paper was printed at that time.
  • T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, recorded nearly 38 inches (96.5 centimeters) of snow, breaking a 1978 record.

Critical Analysis:
Not applicable.

Key Takeaways:

  • Extreme weather events can significantly disrupt traditional news distribution methods.
  • The incident highlights the continued decline of print media in favor of digital platforms.
  • Newspapers must adapt to climate change and invest in robust digital infrastructure.
  • The historical significance of this event underscores the challenges facing legacy media institutions.

Impact Analysis:

This event signals a potential turning point for the news industry. The Boston Globe’s inability to print due to weather, coupled with the pre-existing trend of declining print readership, could accelerate the transition to digital-only news models for other major newspapers. Furthermore, it underscores the vulnerability of traditional infrastructure to increasingly frequent and severe weather events, prompting a need for more resilient and adaptable systems. The long-term impact could be a further consolidation of news consumption on digital platforms and a re-evaluation of print media’s role in delivering timely information during crises.

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