The ''Argus Leader'' is the daily
newspaper
A newspaper is a Periodical literature, periodical publication containing written News, information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide variety of fields such as poli ...
of
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls ( ) is the List of cities in South Dakota, most populous city in the U.S. state of South Dakota and the List of United States cities by population, 117th-most populous city in the United States. It is the county seat of Minnehaha Coun ...
. It is the largest newspaper by total circulation in
South Dakota
South Dakota (; Sioux language, Sioux: , ) is a U.S. state, state in the West North Central states, North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Dakota people, Dakota Sioux ...
.
It is owned by
Gannett
Gannett Co., Inc. ( ) is an American mass media holding company headquartered in New York City. It is the largest U.S. newspaper publisher as measured by total daily circulation.
It owns the national newspaper ''USA Today'', as well as several ...
and part of the
USA Today Network.
History
The ''Argus Leader'' traces its history back to 1881 when the weekly ''Sioux Falls Argus'' began publication. The ''Argus-Leader'' (then hyphenated) was the result of the ''Sioux Falls Argus''
' merger with the ''Sioux Falls Leader'' in 1887.
The paper was aligned with the
Democratic Party until the
1896 election when it switched to the
Republican Party and was notably supportive of
William McKinley
William McKinley (January 29, 1843September 14, 1901) was the 25th president of the United States, serving from 1897 until Assassination of William McKinley, his assassination in 1901. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Repub ...
.
(It is no longer aligned with any political party.)
''Speidel'' newspapers bought the ''Argus Leader'' in 1963.
In 1977, Gannet purchased Speidel creating one of the largest holding companies of newspapers with 73 papers. It was the second-largest newspaper purchase in U.S. history at the time.
In 2021, the paper made the decision to shut down its print production plant in Sioux Falls and consolidate those operations with other Gannett-owned newspapers in Des Moines, Iowa. This announcement led to speculation that the ''Argus Leader'' building itself may be for sale. The following year, the ''Argus Leader'' building was sold.
At the time, the newspaper had an agreement which could be extended to continue occupying part of the building.
In November 2023, the newspaper announced it was moving its newsroom at 200 S. Minnesota Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls after nearly 70 years occupying the same space. The team of seven to 10 reporters will join the rest of its distribution team at 710 N. Western Avenue.
Readership
The ''Argus Leader'' is South Dakota's largest newspaper in total circulation as of 2023.
The weekday circulation for the newspaper was 23,721 as of October 2017. The Sunday edition has a circulation of 32,981 as of October 2017.
Its website boasts the most traffic and unique visitors in its market, according to
Comscore data. The company claimed to have over 786,000 unique users visit the site every month in 2018.
The newspaper publishes an economic weekly, the ''Sioux Falls Business Journal'', as part of its Sunday publication.
The company estimates that it informs and engages 75% of adults in
Sioux Falls MSA in a typical week and 84% over a month across its print and digital brands.
Notable Reporting
In 2011, the newspaper sought information about the federal food stamps program through a
Freedom of Information Act request. The request was denied, and eight years later, the
United States Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that turn on question ...
ruled in favor of the government by a 6–3 decision.
The newspaper reported that the
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and Federal law enforcement in the United States, its principal federal law enforcement ag ...
had 'mined secrets about the past' of 1972 presidential candidate
George McGovern in more than 1,400 files requested by a
Freedom of Information Act.
See also
*
List of newspapers in South Dakota
References
External links
''Argus Leader'' websiteOfficial mobile website''Brandon Valley Challenger''''Dell Rapids Tribune''''Sioux Falls Business Journal''
{{Gannett
Newspapers published in South Dakota
Mass media in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Gannett publications
Newspapers established in 1881
1881 establishments in Dakota Territory