Daily Gazette, The

The Daily Gazette has been a cornerstone of journalism in Schenectady, New York, since its founding in 1894. Gerardus Smith, the son of a prominent banker, transformed the weekly Schenectady Gazette into a daily publication within its first year, and by 1895 it led the city in circulation, surpassing competitors the Union and the Evening Star. Identifying as “independent in politics,” the Gazette grew steadily through the 20th century, guided by a lineage of family and professional leadership. In 1917, Austin N. Liecty became the first non-family president, overseeing significant developments such as the 1924 acquisition of a downtown building near the New York Central Railroad. Leadership returned to the Smith family with Eleanor Smith, followed by John E.N. Hume Jr. and his brother David Hume. The paper reclaimed the Daily Gazette name in 1990, launched its first Sunday edition, and relocated to 2345 Maxon Road. John DeAugustine, publisher since 2013, purchased the Gazette in 2024, ushering in a new era of regional expansion with acquisitions including the Amsterdam Recorder, Gloversville Leader-Herald, Catskill Daily Mail, and Hudson Register-Star. Today, the newspaper is led by DeAugustine as publisher and chairman, alongside a board of media entrepreneurs and industry executives, continuing the Gazette’s mission of delivering trusted, independent journalism while adapting to modern media challenges.