Herald & Review, parent company victims of 'cybersecurity event'

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Herald & Review, a newspaper based in Decatur, was the victim of a "cybersecurity event," according to the paper's parent company Lee Enterprises.

The company, and the Herald & Review, acknowledged the hack on Friday. The paper reported its CEO confirmed the event in a company email that had caused disruptions at dozens of its local newspapers across the U.S. The company notified law enforcement.

According to the paper, computer systems were hit last Monday. The hack disrupted automated workflows and caused some processes to be done manually.

The paper said it adjusted its format until issues are resolved.

Herald & Review Executive Editor Allison Petty posted an op-ed about the hack and said some readers did not get an "e-edition" or printed newspaper on Tuesday. Petty said teams of journalists and employees have created workarounds to continue reporting news in various communities.

According to the company's website, Lee Enterprises provides local news, information, and advertising in 72 U.S. markets and communities.

An information bar at the top of the newspaper's website alerts visitors to ongoing maintenance "on some services," which could impact people's abilities to access their subscription information.

It's not clear if the hack might have compromised subscriber information such as names, addresses, and credit card information.

Petty thanked readers for sticking with them through the issues.

In central Illinois, Lee Enterprises operates the Herald & Review in Decatur, the Journal Gazette & Times-Courier in Mattoon, and the Pantagraph in Bloomington.