Sun Herald: A Legacy of Journalism in South Mississippi
The Sun Herald stands as a cornerstone of news in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. From its humble beginnings as a weekly publication to its recognition on the global stage for public service, the newspaper has evolved alongside the communities of Biloxi and Gulfport for over a century.
The Evolution of a Regional News Leader
The publication began its journey in 1884 as The Weekly Herald, operating out of Biloxi. As the region grew, so did the paper's reach, expanding its coverage into Gulfport by 1905. By 1934, the publication transitioned to The Daily Herald, serving the community as an evening and Saturday newspaper.
Ownership shifted in 1968 when the State Record Company purchased the paper from the Wilkes family, who had owned it for many years. This era marked a significant shift in publication frequency, as the Saturday edition moved to the morning and a new Sunday edition was introduced.
In 1973, the company launched a morning companion paper called the South Mississippi Sun. For over a decade, these two publications operated side-by-side until 1985, when they merged to create the Sun Herald, a comprehensive seven-day-a-week newspaper. Shortly after the merger, in 1986, the evening edition was discontinued, and the State Record company merged with Knight Ridder.
Resilience Through Hurricane Katrina
One of the most defining chapters in the newspaper's history occurred in August 2005 during Hurricane Katrina. Despite the storm directly hitting the Sun Herald offices and printing presses, the publication achieved a remarkable feat: it never missed a single edition.
To ensure continuity, some staff members evacuated to Columbus, Georgia, to the newsroom of the Ledger-Enquirer, another Knight Ridder property. For eleven days, Sun Herald editors and designers collaborated with journalists from across the United States to produce daily editions remotely until power was restored to the Biloxi plant.
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Recognition and Modern Transitions
The dedication shown during the disaster did not go unnoticed. In 2006, the Sun Herald was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service—the first Pulitzer in the paper's history—shared with The Times-Picayune of New Orleans for their exhaustive coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
That same year, the corporate landscape shifted again when McClatchy purchased Knight Ridder. In recent years, the newspaper has adapted to the changing media environment. In April 2024, the Sun Herald announced a reduction in its print schedule, moving to two print editions per week, published on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1884 as The Weekly Herald.
- Major Merger: Formed the Sun Herald in 1985 via the merger of The Daily Herald and the South Mississippi Sun.
- Award: Won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
- Resilience: Maintained daily publication throughout Hurricane Katrina via a remote newsroom in Georgia.
- Current Print Schedule: Two days a week (Wednesday and Sunday) as of April 2024.
| Year | Event/Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1884 | Founded as The Weekly Herald in Biloxi |
| 1905 | Expanded coverage into Gulfport |
| 1934 | Renamed The Daily Herald |
| 1968 | Acquired by State Record Company from the Wilkes family |
| 1973 | Launched the South Mississippi Sun |
| 1985 | Merged into the Sun Herald |
| 2005 | Survived Hurricane Katrina without missing an edition |
| 2006 | Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service |
| 2024 | Reduced print editions to Wednesdays and Sundays |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Sun Herald founded?
The publication was originally founded in 1884 as The Weekly Herald in Biloxi.
How did the newspaper survive Hurricane Katrina?
While their Biloxi offices were hit, staff evacuated to the Ledger-Enquirer newsroom in Columbus, Georgia. With help from Knight Ridder journalists nationwide, they produced daily editions for eleven days until power returned to Biloxi.
What major award has the Sun Herald won?
The newspaper won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for its coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, shared with The Times-Picayune.
Who currently owns or has owned the paper?
The paper was owned by the Wilkes family until 1968, then the State Record Company, followed by Knight Ridder, and eventually McClatchy, which purchased Knight Ridder in 2006.
What is the current print schedule for the Sun Herald?
As of April 2024, the newspaper prints two editions per week, specifically on Wednesdays and Sundays.