Unprecedented Shutdown at the Presses (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Boston – A massive nor’easter dumped record snowfall across New England, compelling The Boston Globe to suspend printing of its daily newspaper for the first time in its 153-year history.[1][2]
Unprecedented Shutdown at the Presses
Executives at The Boston Globe made the rare decision not to produce Tuesday’s edition after heavy snow and fierce winds crippled access to the printing plant in Taunton, Massachusetts.[1] Snow accumulation reached 32 inches in Bristol County, placing the facility squarely in the storm’s path.[3]
Staff struggled to reach the site, even in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Chris Johnson, executive director of manufacturing, reported taking nearly two hours for the trip and encountering stranded vehicles, including a fire truck.[1] Josh Russell, vice president of print operations, explained the rationale: “We don’t take the decision lightly… We’re not confident that even if we got a crew in tonight, that we could get the papers on our trucks safely. We weren’t confident that that last mile would be doable.”[1]
Monday’s deliveries fared poorly as well, with only 25 percent of copies reaching subscribers. The move marked a departure from past storms, including the Blizzard of 1978, when the paper printed despite delivery snags.[2]
Storm Delivers Record-Breaking Blow
The nor’easter exploded into a bomb cyclone, unleashing blizzard conditions with snowfall rates up to four inches per hour and wind gusts exceeding 70 mph along the coast.[4] Areas in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island bore the brunt, shattering 24-hour snowfall records.
| Location | Snowfall (inches) | Record? |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset, MA | 31 | Yes (state) |
| Warwick, RI | 36.2 | Yes (state) |
| Taunton, MA (Globe plant area) | ~32 | Near record |
| Boston | 16 | No |
Governor Maura Healey imposed travel bans in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties – the first since 2015 – while Rhode Island enacted a statewide restriction.[3] Power outages affected over 290,000 customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island by mid-afternoon.[3]
Widespread Disruptions Grip the Region
Air travel ground to a halt, with Logan Airport canceling 92 percent of departures and thousands more flights axed across the Northeast.[3] Amtrak suspended service between Boston and New York, and the MBTA shifted to reduced storm schedules.
- Numerous schools closed Tuesday, including in Brockton, New Bedford, and Quincy.
- Delivery services like DoorDash and Uber paused operations in Boston.
- Emergency shelters opened in Plymouth, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island amid reports of thundersnow and coastal flooding.
- National Guard units assisted with rescues in hard-hit towns like Duxbury and Taunton.
Cleanup crews faced days of work ahead, with restoration delayed by gusty winds and downed lines. Officials urged residents to stay indoors as roads remained treacherous.
Reader Impact and Path Forward
Print subscribers will receive both Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s editions on Wednesday morning. Single-copy sales at stores remained unavailable Tuesday.[1]
Digital access continued uninterrupted, underscoring the shift in news consumption. Pressroom superintendent Dan Stenstrom noted staff dedication: “They have a dedication to the process… As much as today gives them pause, they know they’ll be in there tomorrow.”[1]
- First weather-related print cancellation in Globe history since 1872.
- Taunton plant isolated by 32+ inches of snow and high winds.
- Storm broke snowfall records in MA and RI; power out for 290,000+.
This blizzard tested the limits of infrastructure and resolve across New England, reminding all of nature’s raw power. What do you think about the Globe’s decision? Tell us in the comments.
