Del Rio News-Herald Closes Its Doors Forever

DEL RIO, TX -- The pandemic has impacted industries across the world and the news business has not been an exception.

In a online message the Del Rio News-Herald confirmed it will publish its final edition on Wednesday, November 18.

“Retiring the Del Rio News-Herald this week is an incredibly difficult decision, one made only after long and deep consideration,” said Leonard Woolsey, President of Southern Newspapers Inc., which owns the News-Herald. “Del Rio is an essential and vibrant community in both Texas' past and future.”

After serving the Val Verde community for more than 90 years, the paper was unable to survive the pandemic.

“Closing this newspaper is not what we wanted to do,” he said. “However, with the current economic conditions and the trends we can see, we can no longer continue to serve the community at the level we feel it deserves.”

Back in April, the newspaper reduced its publication from five days to two days a week. Yet even with significant changes, the paper was unable to stay afloat.

“We thank the Val Verde residents, community, employees, subscribers, advertisers, and all the other partners who helped The Del Rio News-Herald serve the community,” Woolsey said. “We wish only the best for the community.”

In addition to the closure of the  Del Rio News-Herald, the Southern Newspapers Inc. will no longer publish Grande Magazine, a publication in the Val Verde County area.