The Salt Lake Tribune sold to wealthy industrialist family

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A son of wealthy industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr. has agreed to buy The Salt Lake Tribune, ending uncertainty about the future of Utah's largest newspaper that has long been an independent watchdog in a state where the Mormon church wields significant power.

The Huntsmans, who run a major cancer research center and whose name adorns university arenas and college programs, are one of the most influential families in Utah.

Democratic state Sen. Jim Dabakis, who was part of a group also interested in buying The Tribune, said it is important to preserve the paper's independence and progressive editorial voice.

The purchase fits an emerging ownership trend in the newspaper industry of wealthy business figures buying publications because they value their civic importance, media analyst Ken Doctor said.

Paul Huntsman is CEO of Huntsman Family Investments, a private investment arm.

The group's attorney, Karra Porter, said she and lawyers for the newspaper's owners plan to meet Monday to discuss the sale and a possible resolution of the legal challenge.