If you’ve ever strolled down Worth Avenue or spent any time on the island, you’ve probably seen it. It’s not your average newspaper. Most folks around here don’t even call it by its formal name. To the locals and the high-society crowd, the Palm Beach Daily News is simply "The Shiny Sheet."
Why the nickname? It’s literal. The paper is printed on a heavy, slick, bright white stock that doesn’t leave newsprint on your fingers while you’re eating a croissant at Sant Ambroeus. It’s fancy. But behind that polished exterior lies a publication that has been the heartbeat of the island since 1897.
Honestly, the Palm Beach Daily News is a bit of a localized phenomenon. It focuses strictly on the 13-mile-long barrier island of Palm Beach. While its sister paper, The Palm Beach Post, handles the gritty metropolitan news of West Palm Beach and the rest of the county, the Shiny Sheet is where you go to find out who attended which gala, which historic mansion just sold for $50 million, and why the town council is arguing about hedge heights again.
A Century of Society and Scandals
The paper actually started as the Lake Worth Daily News. Back then, Palm Beach wasn't the billionaire's playground it is today; it was a burgeoning resort destination for the Gilded Age elite.
By 1948, the paper found its permanent home under the same ownership as the Post when John Holliday Perry Sr. bought it. It eventually moved into its iconic building at 204 Brazilian Avenue, a Mediterranean Revival gem that’s actually on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Ownership has changed hands a few times since the glory days. It went from Cox Enterprises to GateHouse Media, and now it’s part of the Gannett / USA TODAY Network. Even with corporate big-wigs in charge, the paper keeps its hyper-local flavor. You aren't going to find much international geopolitics here unless it involves a diplomat visiting Mar-a-Lago.
What Really Makes the Palm Beach Daily News Unique?
Most newspapers are struggling. You know the story—dying print runs, skeletal newsrooms. But the Shiny Sheet has a bit of a "moat."
- The Seasonality: From October to May, the paper is a daily machine. It’s the "Season." The island’s population swells with winter residents and the social calendar becomes a contact sport.
- The Summer Shift: Once the humidity hits in June, the paper scales back to twice a week. It follows the rhythm of the people it covers.
- The Focus: It’s one of the few places where "Government Reporter" means covering town council meetings about whether a specific shade of pink is allowed on a storefront.
Jodie Wagner, a long-time government reporter for the paper, covers these micro-politics with the same intensity a New York Times reporter might cover Congress. Because on the island, these things matter.
Real Estate: The Island’s Favorite Sport
If you want to understand the Palm Beach Daily News, you have to look at their real estate coverage. In a town where the median home price can make your head spin, real estate isn't just news—it’s entertainment. The paper tracks every deed transfer and "Tequesta" find. They have specific beats dedicated to "The Society," which is basically a play-by-play of the philanthropic circuit.
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The Digital Pivot in 2026
You might think a paper nicknamed for its physical paper stock would ignore the internet. You'd be wrong. In 2026, the digital strategy has become pretty sophisticated. They offer an "eNewspaper" which is basically a high-res digital replica of that glossy print edition.
They’ve also leaned heavily into newsletters. Instead of making you hunt for news, they push "The Daily" and "Society" updates directly to your inbox. It's a smart play because their core audience—while often older—is increasingly tech-savvy and mobile.
How to Actually Use the Shiny Sheet
If you're new to the area or just trying to keep up with the Palm Beach lifestyle, here’s the lowdown on how to engage with the Palm Beach Daily News without feeling like an outsider:
- Watch the Real Estate Sales: This is the best way to understand the true "who's who." Look for names like Ken Griffin or the Lauder family.
- The Social Calendar: If you’re looking for high-end events, their online calendar is the gold standard for the island.
- Town Council Recaps: If you want to know why a certain road is closed or why a new restaurant is stuck in permitting, this is your only source.
Actionable Steps for Readers
If you want to dive deeper into the Palm Beach scene, don't just wait for the paper to show up on a driveway. Start by following their "Season" coverage starting in late October. This is when the heavy hitters return to the island and the real reporting begins.
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Sign up for their breaking news alerts. In a town this small, "breaking news" might be a water main break on Royal Palm Way, but that's exactly what you need to know if you're trying to get to a 1:00 PM lunch date.
Check the "Letters to the Editor." It’s basically the 2026 version of a high-society group chat. You’ll see the residents’ real concerns—from beach restoration to local traffic—and it gives you a much better "vibe check" of the island than any travel brochure ever could.
The Palm Beach Daily News isn't trying to save the world. It’s trying to document a very specific, very wealthy, and very historic slice of Florida. And honestly? It does that better than anyone else.