Judge Denies Request to Resume Las Vegas Sun Printing
The ruling on Wednesday halts the move to force daily distribution as the case prepares for a full trial.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Gambling
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Readers of the Las Vegas Sun will not see their newspaper return to the Las Vegas Review-Journal as a daily insert for now. U.S. District Judge Anne Traum rejected an emergency request to force the distribution, ruling that the Sun failed to prove that the loss of printing would cause irreparable harm.
Why it matters
The legal battle between the valley's two major newspapers marks a significant shift in local media access following the voiding of a 2005 agreement. With the case now heading to trial, the future of a 1989 joint operating agreement remains the core question regarding how these publications will function in the city moving forward.
The dispute centers on a 1989 joint operating agreement, a relic of the 1970 Newspaper Preservation Act, which the court must now weigh against the voiding of a more recent 2005 pact. Seven years of legal friction remain ongoing as the case heads to trial.
The players
Anne Traum
The U.S. District Judge who issued the ruling regarding the printing and distribution of the Las Vegas Sun.
Las Vegas Sun
The publication that sought an emergency court order to force its continued printing and distribution by the Review-Journal.
Las Vegas Review-Journal
The newspaper that argued against being forced to print the Sun due to the potential financial impact on its bottom line.
The details
Judge Traum determined the court lacks the authority to mandate that the Review-Journal print the Sun. The ruling denies the Sun's request for an emergency order to distribute its content via the Review-Journal or to access subscriber lists. While the court acknowledged the Sun may prove the 1989 agreement is valid or that anti-competitive behavior occurred, it emphasized that the Sun's current options are restricted to the terms of that older agreement or no joint operation at all.
Timeline
1970: Newspaper Preservation Act authorized joint operating arrangements.
1989: Original joint operating agreement established.
2005: Pact replacing the 1989 agreement was created.
2025: 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voided the 2005 agreement.
October 21, 2026: Judge Traum issued the ruling rejecting the emergency printing request.
Beyond the Strip
This case tests the lasting power of the 1970 Newspaper Preservation Act, which originally authorized joint operating arrangements between newspapers to preserve competition. The current ruling follows the 2025 decision by the 9th Circuit to void a more recent 2005 agreement, effectively narrowing the options for future collaboration.
Readers who rely on the Sun as a daily print insert within the Review-Journal will continue to see no change in delivery, as the court denied the request to resume printing. The case remains open, with future proceedings moving toward a trial to determine the long-term validity of legacy operating agreements.
The takeaway
The court has made it clear that a forced distribution arrangement is not currently required, leaving the two papers to operate independently pending a full trial. Residents should watch for upcoming trial dates to understand how the future of these local publications will be resolved.
Further reading
For more on how local media shifts affect the community, visit Gambling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Las Vegas Review-Journal.
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