Argus Leader, Newspapers in Aberdeen, Watertown Have New Owner
The deal expands Lee’s Montana footprint and is expected to improve local coverage through shared resources and a stronger state bureau, executives said.
- On Monday, Lee Enterprises announced the acquisition of the Great Falls Tribune and three South Dakota newspapers from USA Today Co., expanding its ownership across major Montana cities including Helena, Missoula, Billings and Butte.
- USA Today Co.'s broader corporate realignment prompted the divestiture, as local editorial coverage by the Great Falls Tribune has waned in recent years despite the publication's more than century-long history serving the community.
- Lee CEO Nathan Bekke said the company looks forward to "investing in journalism that reflects the people, businesses and issues shaping Great Falls," while former publisher Jim Strauss noted the move makes financial and editorial sense.
- As part of the reciprocal transaction, USA Today Co. assumed full ownership of the Tucson-based Arizona Daily Star, with both companies describing the exchanges as "strategic agreements" designed to optimize their regional portfolios.
- Prior to this expansion, Lee described itself as owning 193 media brands across 28 states, positioning the company to strengthen its ability to serve readers across Montana and South Dakota through expanded statewide coverage.
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Lee Enterprises acquires Great Falls Tribune from USA Today Co.
The move expands Lee's ownership of newspapers in nearly all of the state's major cities, including Helena, Missoula, Billings and Butte. The announcement also comes after years of reduced local news coverage from the Great Falls Tribune. The company sold its landmark waterfront building in 2022, and many of its archives were saved by a community philanthropist.
Argus Leader, newspapers in Aberdeen, Watertown have new owner
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- Lee Enterprises will now own the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, the Aberdeen American News (including the Farm Forum), and the Watertown Public Opinion in agreement with USA TODAY Inc., the two companies said in a Monday news release. As part of the agreement, Lee will give up operating the newsroom, production, [...]
The Billings Gazette
Lee Enterprises acquires Great Falls Tribune, expanding investment in Montana journalism
In Montana, where Lee already owns the Billings Gazette, the Helena Independent Record, The Montana Standard (in Butte), Missoulian and Ravalli Republic, Lee has acquired the Great Falls Tribune.
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