TheArgus Leader traces its history back to 1881 when the weeklySioux Falls Argus began publication. TheArgus-Leader (then hyphenated) was the result of theSioux Falls Argus' merger with theSioux Falls Leader in 1887.[4]
In 1977, Gannet purchased Speidel creating one of the largest holding companies of newspapers with 73 papers.[6] It was the second-largest newspaper purchase in U.S. history at the time.[7]
In 2021, the paper made the decision to shut down its print production plant in Sioux Falls and consolidate those operations with other Gannett-owned newspapers in Des Moines, Iowa.[8] This announcement led to speculation that theArgus Leader building itself may be for sale.[9] The following year, theArgus Leader building was sold.[10] At the time, the newspaper had an agreement which could be extended to continue occupying part of the building.[10]
In November 2023, the newspaper announced it was moving its newsroom at 200 S. Minnesota Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls after nearly 70 years occupying the same space. The team of seven to 10 reporters will join the rest of its distribution team at 710 N. Western Avenue.[11]
TheArgus Leader is South Dakota's largest newspaper in total circulation as of 2023.[2] The weekday circulation for the newspaper was 23,721 as of October 2017.[12] The Sunday edition has a circulation of 32,981 as of October 2017.
Its website boasts the most traffic and unique visitors in its market, according toComscore data.[13] The company claimed to have over 786,000 unique users visit the site every month in 2018.[14]
The newspaper publishes an economic weekly, theSioux Falls Business Journal, as part of its Sunday publication.
The company estimates that it informs and engages 75% of adults inSioux Falls MSA in a typical week and 84% over a month across its print and digital brands.[15]
In 2011, the newspaper sought information about the federal food stamps program through aFreedom of Information Act request.[16] The request was denied, and eight years later, theUnited States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the government by a 6–3 decision.[17]
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