Paxton Media Group (PMG) acquired nine community newspapers in the Murphy and Franklin regions of western North Carolina and north Georgia from Community Newspapers, Inc. (CNI), based in Athens, Georgia.
Dirks, Van Essen & April, a media merger and acquisition firm based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, represented Community Newspapers, Inc. in the transaction.
The weekly publications included in the sale are The Franklin Press (North Carolina), The Highlander (North Carolina), Mitchell News-Journal (North Carolina), Smoky Mountain Times (North Carolina), Clay County Progress (North Carolina), Cherokee Scout (North Carolina), The Graham Star (North Carolina), The News Observer (Georgia), and Times-Courier (Georgia).
The acquisition expands PMG’s presence in the Southeast and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to community journalism. The newspapers will continue to serve their communities with local news coverage, advertising and engagement across print and digital platforms.
Paxton Media Group brings a long history of community publishing to the acquisition. PMG, based in Paducah, Kentucky, is a family-owned company founded in 1896 and led by President and CEO Jamie Paxton, a fifth-generation member of the Paxton family.
“We are excited to add these newspapers into the PMG portfolio,” said Jamie Paxton. “PMG believes strongly in the value of local newspapers and the vital role they play in the communities that they serve. We appreciate being chosen to be the new stewards of these important community assets.”
PMG’s Group Publisher for the NC/TN/GA division, Jana Thomasson, added, “Newspapers are at the core of local community information. We’re excited to continue serving the neighbors and local businesses that make these communities so vibrant.”
The acquisition highlights ongoing consolidation and investment in the community newspaper sector, as experienced operators expand their portfolios and reinforce their commitment to local markets.
About Community Newspapers, Inc.:
Community Newspapers, Inc. (CNI) is a regional media group with a longstanding commitment to local journalism and community engagement. Its publications serve as trusted sources of news, advertising and community connection, reaching thousands of readers each week through print and digital platforms.
About Paxton Media Group:
Paxton Media Group (PMG) is a family-owned company that publishes over 120 community newspapers across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The company also operates WPSD-TV, an NBC-affiliated television station in Paducah, Kentucky.
