Sun File Photo

Hank Greenspun at his desk.

Fighting for the little guy

Born from a movement to aid the little guy, the Las Vegas Sun has been an important part of the Las Vegas community for more than 50 years. Founding publisher Hank Greenspun died in 1989, but he left a legacy of intrepid and forthright journalism that Sun reporters and editors follow to this day.

The seeds of the Las Vegas Sun were planted in 1949 when the town’s only newspaper, the Review-Journal, locked out members of the printing union. As a result, the International Typographical Union began its own newspaper on May 3, 1950, but struggled financially. The ITU then turned to Hank Greenspun.

With the aid of Nate Mack, a pioneer Las Vegas landowner and businessman, Greenspun acquired financial backing to make a down payment on the newspaper. On May 21, 1950, Greenspun published his first edition. In July of that year, the name was changed from the Las Vegas Free Press to the Las Vegas Sun.

Strong editorial positions

No person was too big or too mighty to be immune from criticism if he deserved censure by Sun editorial writers or the publisher. Throughout its history, the Sun has taken on the IRS, CIA, FBI and Howard Hughes.

Perhaps the most infamous target was Sen. Joseph McCarthy. The Sun was the first newspaper in the nation to expose McCarthy as a power-mad, vindictive demagogue who used the threat of communism as an excuse for his witch-hunting crusades.

As the Sun exposed local government and police corruption, its reputation for in-depth reporting grew, as did its influence in political matters. The newspaper also became involved in community projects originated and directed by staff members.

The Sun today

The Sun continues to tilt its editorial lance as it leads the fight against the proposed nuclear dump to be located at Yucca Mountain, 90 miles from Las Vegas.

Today, the Sun is published under a Joint Operating Agreement, with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which guarantees a second newspaper voice in the community. The Sun still is owned by the Greenspun family, but the Review-Journal handles the advertising, circulation, production and marketing functions of the Sun.

The Review-Journal has no involvement in the operation of the Las Vegas Sun website and the Sun news department remains an independent and separate entity.