Yes, this seems to be a corporate decision. I emailed corporate and told them to please reconsider carrying magazines.I also noticed that HL has very few quilting books now as well.
I received a reply that my "concern" had been forwarded to the buyer. Maybe if enough of us write, maybe they will eventually start carrying them again. Look at what happened when WalMart did away with the "fabric" section. I don't shop there for fabric, but I know that many do as WM is their only source for fabric/thread/etc.
It's not impossible for corporate to change their mind, but it can happen.