The Boston Phoenix, an alternative weekly paper-turned-glossy magazine is shutting down after forty-seven years.  Founded in 1966, the publication was known for its political and culture coverage of Massachusetts and Boston.

Boston Magazine had outlined the paper’s struggles in an article last year.  The Phoenix’s sister publications in Portland, Me and Providence will remain open.  Local advertising dollars there are sufficient to keep those open, whereas limited local advertising and minimal national advertising could not save the Boston edition.

No word yet on what will become of some of the publication’s prominent staffers like David Bernstein.  Bernstein’s “Talking Politics” blog and his columns and stories were a mainstay of Massachusetts political news and analysis, including Mitt Romney’s presidential races.