USA TODAY Co. and Lee Enterprises realign local newspaper portfolios

, Inc. (NYSE: TDAY) and Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE) said on Tuesday they have entered strategic agreements effective immediately that reshape their local newspaper portfolios. The agreements end TNI Partners, the joint venture tied to the Arizona Daily Star. Under the prior arrangement, Lee Enterprises handled the newsroom, production and related technology operations, while USA TODAY Co.

managed advertising and sales, accounting and finance functions. USA TODAY Co. will take full ownership and operations of the Arizona Daily Star. The company said the move marks a new chapter for local journalism and community engagement in Arizona, where it already owns The Arizona Republic.

At the same time, Lee Enterprises will acquire publications in South Dakota and Montana, including the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and the Aberdeen American. USA TODAY Co. and Lee Enterprises are realigning their local newspaper portfolios, with USA TODAY Network adding the Arizona Daily Star, News (including the Farm Forum), the Watertown Public Opinion and the Great Falls Tribune. Lee Enterprises says it will retain a strong presence in Montana through the Billings Gazette, Independent Record, Missoulian, The Montana Standard and Ravalli Republic, as well as the Rapid City Journal in South Dakota.

The companies say the transactions are intended to let each focus resources where they can have the greatest local impact, while investing in growth, serving local audiences and supporting the future of community journalism. Michael A. Anastasi, senior vice president of local news at USA TODAY Network, said the moves reflect a strategic decision to best serve the communities and support the future of local journalism. He said the company is proud to welcome the Arizona Daily Star and its team to the network.

Anastasi said the industry has a responsibility to position local news organizations for long-term success. The source text cuts off after Lee Enterprises says it is honored to deepen its commitment to communities in Montana and. Nathan Bekke, Lee's president and chief executive officer, said the company serves 193 brands across 28 states and focuses on trusted local news and information that helps people stay informed, connected and engaged in their communities. , Inc.

, Inc. is a diversified media company with national and local reach focused on empowering and enriching communities and inspiring, informing and connecting audiences. Its trusted brands include the USA TODAY NETWORK, made up of the national publication USA TODAY and its network of local properties in the United States, as well as Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. The company also said LocaliQ, its digital marketing solutions brand, supports small and medium-sized businesses with digital marketing products and solutions.

Lee Enterprises said it operates 193 owned and managed brands across 28 states, with markets that include St. Louis, Missouri; Buffalo, New York; Omaha, Nebraska; Richmond, Virginia; Lincoln, Nebraska; Madison, Wisconsin; and Davenport, Iowa. The company said its common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol LEE. S.

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “expect,” “predict,” “potential,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “ongoing,” “future” and similar language, as well as negative forms of those terms. The company says such statements reflect current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and both short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, along with its financial needs.

These statements carry known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially and/or significantly from those expressed or implied. The company refers readers to a discussion of risks and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in its forward-looking statements. For risks and other factors, see Item 3. ) 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its other filings with the SEC, as those factors may be updated from time to time.

Any forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and no undue reliance should be placed on them. USA TODAY Co. says it has no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. net.