BOSTON (Azat TV) – For the first time in its 153-year history, The Boston Globe did not print its physical newspaper for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, delivery. The unprecedented decision came as a powerful nor’easter battered the New England region with record-breaking snowfall and high winds, making it impossible for staff to reach the printing press and for delivery trucks to navigate treacherous roads. This event underscored the severity of the blizzard and highlighted The Globe’s critical role in providing news through its robust digital platforms.
The historic halt in print production was confirmed by Boston Globe Media Vice President of Print Operations Josh Russell, who stated that executives determined conditions made printing and delivery on Tuesday morning impossible. The storm, which dumped over two feet of snow in many areas and nearly 38 inches in parts of Rhode Island, brought travel to a standstill across Massachusetts. The Globe’s printing press in Taunton, Massachusetts, located approximately 37 miles south of Boston, was at the epicenter of the storm’s heaviest impact.
Blizzard’s Broad Impact Across New England
The nor’easter caused widespread disruption throughout New England. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency on Sunday, February 22, ahead of the storm, issuing travel bans in several counties, including Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable. These bans were crucial for allowing snow removal equipment to operate safely. By the morning of February 24, hundreds of thousands of residents across Massachusetts were without power, with outages approaching 300,000 at one point, according to USA TODAY data.
School systems across the state, including Boston Public Schools and dozens of others listed by The Boston Globe, announced full closures for Tuesday, February 24, or instituted two-hour delays. The sheer volume of snow and hazardous travel conditions rendered daily commutes impossible for many, impacting essential services and daily life.
The Boston Globe’s Digital Continuity
Despite the halt in physical printing, The Boston Globe ensured its readers remained informed through its digital channels. Subscribers were able to access Tuesday’s edition online, maintaining the newspaper’s commitment as New England’s largest news organization and a primary source for local and national breaking news, weather, and political analysis. Print subscribers, however, were informed that they would receive Tuesday’s paper delivered on Wednesday, February 25, alongside the regularly scheduled Wednesday edition, as reported by CBS News.
This reliance on digital platforms reflects a broader industry trend. A 2025 survey by the Pew Research Center indicated that only 7% of U.S. adults frequently obtained their news from printed newspapers or magazines, compared to 56% who relied on smartphones, computers, or tablets. This context highlights The Boston Globe’s adaptive strategies in maintaining its relevance and influence in the digital age, even when traditional methods are disrupted by external forces.
Maintaining Relevance in a Changing Landscape
The decision not to print marked a rare moment in The Boston Globe’s long history. While labor strikes in the 1950s and ’60s had previously halted printing, this was the first time management had called off daily production due to environmental conditions since its founding in 1872. Notably, The Globe managed to go to press during another record-setting blizzard in 1978, though few copies reached readers due to impassable roads. This current event, however, saw a proactive decision to halt printing entirely, underscoring both the severity of the storm and the confidence in digital alternatives.
The Boston Globe’s ability to pivot seamlessly to digital delivery during an unprecedented print disruption exemplifies its ongoing adaptation to the modern media landscape. This incident reinforces its position as a vital news source that continues to shape public opinion and inform policy decisions across Massachusetts and New England, irrespective of the physical medium.