The last joint operating agreement (JOA) in the United States, between the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, expired at the end of 2025, ending a 36-year partnership that combined business operations while maintaining separate newsrooms. Established in 1989 under the Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970, the JOA aimed to preserve editorial diversity and financial stability for both papers amid declining industry revenues. The agreement allowed the Free Press, owned by USA Today Co., to manage business functions for both papers, which helped keep both alive in a city with a rich newspaper history. However, critics argued that the JOA stifled competition, led to newsroom downsizing, and contributed to a decline in journalistic quality. With the expiration of the agreement, Detroit now faces a new era of full competition, with the Detroit News relaunching its Sunday print edition and both papers investing in digital expansion. While some industry analysts are optimistic about their survival, others remain skeptical about Detroit maintaining a two-paper market, citing ongoing financial pressures and industry downsizing. The move marks a significant shift in Detroit’s media landscape, with the potential for either increased competition or the decline of one or both papers.