Hackers Break Into Network of One of New Jersey’s Largest Newspapers

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February 24, 2025

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Lee Enterprises, the parent company of several local newspapers, including The Press of Atlantic City, has confirmed it was the target of a ransomware attack that disrupted operations across at least 75 publications.

The attack, first reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 3, caused technology outages that affected printed newspapers, subscription accounts, and internal services. In an update to the SEC on Tuesday, Lee revealed that hackers accessed its network, encrypted critical applications, and exfiltrated files—hallmarks of a ransomware attack.

“The incident impacted the Company’s operations, including distribution of products, billing, collections, and vendor payments,” Lee said in its SEC filing.

Lee, which owns 350 weekly and specialty publications across 25 states, said it is conducting a forensic analysis to determine whether personal or sensitive data was compromised.

By February 12, Lee had restored distribution for its core publications, but weekly and ancillary products remain affected, representing about five percent of the company’s total operating revenue. A full recovery is expected to take several weeks.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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