SaltWire Network announced April 10, 2019 that The Western Star would change from a paid daily newspaper to a free weekly community paper.[7] The last daily paper was delivered April 10, 2019, and the new weekly model was to begin April 17, 2019. The building in Corner Brook was already in the process of being sold, and about 30 employees were to be laid off as printing operations moved from Corner Brook to St. John's. Plans were announced for many remaining employees to become remote workers, similar to SaltWire's announced changes of 2018 at another Newfoundland newspaper, The Carbonear Compass.[8][9][10]