The Peoria Journal Star is the major daily newspaper serving Peoria, Illinois and the surrounding area. Founded in its current form in 1954 through a merger of the Journal-Transcript and Star newspapers, it has a long history dating back to 1855 when the Peoria Daily Transcript was first published. The newspaper operates from its headquarters located at 1 News Plaza in Peoria and maintains a website at pjstar.com, offering both print and digital editions to its readers. The Journal Star has undergone significant ownership changes throughout its history. Between 1984 and 1990, the newspaper became effectively employee-owned when employees purchased approximately 83 percent of the company. However, this changed in 1996 when it was sold to Copley Newspapers, owned by Helen Copley. In 2007, the paper was sold to GateHouse Media, a New York-based company. Following a merger between New Media Investment Group and GateHouse Media in 2019, the newspaper became part of the Gannett brand, which is its current parent company. The newspaper's circulation has experienced significant changes over the decades. When Copley purchased the paper in 1996, daily circulation was over 75,000, making it the highest-circulation newspaper in downstate Illinois. However, circulation has declined substantially in recent years, dropping to 15,194 by 2021. The Journal Star ended its Saturday print edition in March 2022 and transitioned from carrier delivery to U.S. Postal Service delivery in November 2023, reflecting broader challenges facing the print newspaper industry.