Chicago chain buys Virginia newspaper

Tronc has acquired The Virginian-Pilot newspaper from Landmark Media Enterprises for $34 million, the Chicago newspaper chain announced Tuesday.

The deal adds the Norfolk newspaper — the largest in Virginia — to the Tronc portfolio, along with specialty publications and a printing plant. Tronc has long owned the nearby Daily Press in Newport News, Va.

Founded in 1865, The Virginian-Pilot is a Pulitzer Prizewinning daily newspaper with a Sunday circulation of 132,000 as of last year, according to Tronc, which is also acquiring 460,000 square feet of real estate, including the newspaper’s Norfolk headquarters and printing facilities in Virginia Beach.

“In order to most effectively continue its important work, The Virginian-Pilot must have the benefit of the resources of a large organization,” Rusty Friddell, executive vice president and general counsel of Landmark Media Enterprises, said in the news releases.

Tronc also owns the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News and other major daily newspapers.

“The inclusion of The Virginian-Pilot further strengthens our presence in the region and renews our commitment to our longstanding tradition of journalistic excellence,” said Justin Dearborn, Tronc chairman and CEO, in a news release.