Green River Star

Green River Star
TypeWeekly newspaper
FormatTabloid
OwnerSweetwater Now
Founded1889
LanguageEnglish
Headquarters445 Uinta Drive
Green River, Wyoming 82935
41°31′32″N 109°28′11″W / 41.52556°N 109.46972°W / 41.52556; -109.46972
Circulation2,218
ISSN0891-382X
Websitewww.greenriverstar.com

41°31′32″N 109°28′11″W / 41.52556°N 109.46972°W / 41.52556; -109.46972

The Green River Star is a weekly newspaper published in Green River, Wyoming. It serves as the newspaper of record for the city of Green River and the surrounding Sweetwater County. The publication focuses on local government, community events, and high school athletics. The Green River Star office, located at 445 Uinta Drive, is the former site of the Rancho Bowl (also known as Rancho Bowling Lanes). The bowling alley operated at that location from 1960 until it closed in 2004, after which the newspaper moved into the renovated facility.[1]

History

The newspaper was established in 1889 by William W. McMurray, a pioneering journalist in the then-Wyoming Territory.[2] In its early years, the Star competed with several other local bulletins during the region's coal mining and railroad boom. By the mid-20th century, it solidified its position as the primary news outlet for the county seat. In the mid-20th century, the paper underwent several ownership changes. John Rhea Jacobucci, a notable figure in Wyoming politics and business, served as the editor starting in 1936.[3] In 1968, the publication was purchased by Sage Publishing, which expanded its distribution and modernized its printing operations.[4]

Throughout the 2000s, the paper transitioned to a digital-first model while maintaining its Wednesday print edition.[5] In 2021, the newspaper's reporting on local law enforcement transitions received recognition from regional press associations.[6]

Content and Operations

The Green River Star covers municipal proceedings of the Green River City Council and the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners.[7] It also provides coverage of the Sweetwater County School District #2.

The paper is currently owned by Sweetwater Now, following an acquisition aimed at consolidating digital and print local news assets in the region.[8]

While many regional competitors faced closure in August 2025 due to shifts in the ownership strategies of out-of-state media conglomerates, the Green River Star continued its operations.[9] Following cut backs in printing of its longtime rival, the Rocket-Miner, the Star became the largest circulated print newspaper in Sweetwater County.[10] In late 2025, the newspaper expanded its coverage to include more county-wide reporting to fill the gaps left by defunct publications.[11] It currently maintains a physical office at 445 Uinta Drive in Green River.[12]

Recognition

The publication has been a consistent member of the National Newspaper Association.[13] It has frequently placed in the "Small Weekly" category for excellence in photography and editorial writing.[14] The Star is a multi-time recipient of the Wyoming Press Association's "Pacemaker" equivalent awards for small weeklies.[15] It has been specifically cited for its investigative work regarding local municipal budgets and school board transparency.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Wyoming Bowling Center History - Rancho Bowl, Green River WY". Wyoming Bowling History. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  2. ^ "The Green River Star Historical Archive". OldNews.com. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  3. ^ "University of Wyoming American Heritage Center Guide to Journalism Resources" (PDF). University of Wyoming. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  4. ^ Walker, D. "Wyoming Newspaper History". WyoHistory.org. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  5. ^ "Green River Star: About Us". Green River Star. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  6. ^ "2021 Wyoming Press Association Awards". Wyoming Press Association. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  7. ^ Ames, K. "Local Media Landscapes in the Mountain West". University of Wyoming. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  8. ^ "Local Media Acquisition in Sweetwater County". Sweetwater Now. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  9. ^ "Wyoming Media Landscape Shifts After Mass Closures". Wyoming Public Media. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  10. ^ "WPA Circulation Reports 2025". Wyoming Press Association. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  11. ^ Martin, D. "Opinion: The Future of Local News in Sweetwater". Green River Star. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  12. ^ "Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce: Green River Star Listing". Rock Springs Chamber. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  13. ^ "National Newspaper Association Member Directory". National Newspaper Association. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  14. ^ "Press Awards Archive". Newspaper Awards. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  15. ^ "2024 NNAF Editorial Contest Winners" (PDF). National Newspaper Association. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  16. ^ "Sweetwater County School District 2: 2023-24 Budget" (PDF). SWCSD #2. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
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