Daily Gazette Sale to Local Family Approved; Newspaper to Remain in Schenectady

SCHENECTADY — The Hume-Lind family and The Daily Gazette Board of Directors announced last week that they have agreed to the framework of a deal that will transition their 130-year ownership of the paper from the extended family to long-time Gazette publisher John DeAugustine of Saratoga Springs. 

“As a family-owned newspaper since 1894, it gives the Hume-Lind family, the Board of Directors, and everyone at The Daily Gazette great comfort and pride knowing that we are passing the torch to a family that values the newspaper as much as we do,” said Gazette board chairwoman Elizabeth “Betsie” Hume-Lind, in a statement. 

The sale of The Daily Gazette consummates a 12-year effort by the Hume-Lind family, The Daily Gazette board, and employees to strengthen, diversify, and grow the company. The family consists of fourth and fifth generation owners. 

While the Gazette building will be sold, the newspaper will remain in Schenectady. All its historical documents and artifacts will be curated in a local repository. Additionally, The Daily Gazette board of directors will remain intact for the foreseeable future.

The Daily Gazette named John DeAugustine publisher in 2013 shortly after Betsie Hume-Lind became president. DeAugustine came to the Gazette from the Hearst Corporation and brought more than 25 years of newspaper industry experience to the paper. 

Family-owned since 1894, the Daily Gazette is based in Schenectady and has more than 450,000 readers monthly for its print and online content.