Three Iowa daily newspapers sell to Cedar Rapids Media Company

Cedar Rapids Media Company has purchased the assets of three Iowa daily newspapers including The Fairfield Ledger, Mount Pleasant News and Washington Evening Journal from the Murray family, according to Managing Director John Cribb of Cribb, Greene & Cope who represented the Murray family in the transaction.

"It was our desire to seek a buyer who had the financial resources and commitment to quality, who would preserve through the challenging times ahead to see these publications serving the communities of Mount Pleasant, Washington and Fairfield remain strong, healthy and vibrant for decades into the future," said Brian Murray, Inland Industries chairman, in a statement. 

The Fairfield Ledger, Mount Pleasant News and Washington Evening Journal – each more than 130 years old – publish Monday through Friday and have free weekly publications. The three papers, all in communities that are county seats, have a combined circulation of about 5,600.

"Each of these newspapers are respected leaders in their communities," said Jim Burke, publisher of The Gazette which is owned by Cedar Rapids Media Company.