TEMPE

ASU's State Press stops printing after 120 years

Ryan Van Velzer
The Republic | azcentral.com
Arizona State University officially stopped the presses on the print section of the State Press on  July 30, 2014.

Arizona State University officially stopped the presses on the print section of its newspaper July 30.

After more than 120 years of pressing ink onto dead trees, the State Press is going all digital.

And who could blame them? The State Press online readership triples the 40,000 people who still picked up the paper, according to KJZZ.

In the last few years, the State Press, like many other publications, has made dramatic changes to keep up with evolving media trends.

- In 2011, the paper redesigned from a broadsheet to tabloid design.

- In 2012, the State Press overhauled its website.

- In 2013, the print section went from a daily paper to a weekly paper.

The editorial board penned its official eulogy on July 16.

"At The State Press, we want to give you endless access to information about what's going on around you. But starting in August, you won't get ink-smudged fingers while you're doing it."

After reminiscing about decorating dorm rooms with pages of State Press print, the editorial board made a pledge to readers:

"By no means does this mean we're disappearing from your life into an abyss of Internet cats and Buzzfeed quizzes," they said, putting an emphasis on continued thorough coverage of ASU issues including news, sports, local arts and opinion.

The State Press will also take the opportunity to improve their digital coverage and bolster their copy with additional documentary-style reporting, short videos, photos and graphics.

For more nostalgia about the State Press' print publication, check out these alumni memories on the State Press website.