Pioneer Press, Saint Paul

The St. Paul Pioneer Press traces its origins back to 1849, according to the Minnesota Historical Society, when the Minnesota Pioneer established itself as the territory's first newspaper. After a storied history of expansion under publishing barons and media mergers, the Pioneer Press established itself as one of the leading morning dailies, informing Saint Paul–area residents with in-depth local reporting, national and international news, and thoughtful opinion pieces. Indeed, the paper’s mark on the publishing world extended nationwide. It was in the St. Paul Pioneer Press that unknown cartoonist Charles Schulz got his beginning with a strip titled Li’l Folks, the precursor to the iconic Peanuts, which featured many of the same characters and a dog who very much resembled Snoopy before his punk-rock phase. With the paper's print publications and handy online digital editions, readers keep abreast of the pressing political issues of the day, the exploits of school and professional sports teams, and reviews for local nightlife spots.