Times Media Group and Moser Community Media, also known as Texas Local Media Company, announced they have reached an agreement for Times Media Group to acquire Moser’s portfolio of 32 community newspapers across Texas, with the transaction scheduled to take effect Monday, March 2.
The acquisition marks Times Media Group’s formal expansion into Texas and reflects what both organizations described as a shared commitment to strengthening local journalism and maintaining community-focused reporting.
Moser Community Media has built a presence across Texas markets with weekly, semiweekly and daily publications serving small and mid-size communities. Under Times Media Group ownership, the newspapers will continue operating with an emphasis on editorial independence, community engagement and local accessibility, according to the announcement. Offices will remain in the communities served.
“Local journalism matters because local communities matter,” said Steve Strickbine, founder and publisher of Times Media Group. “Our mission has always been simple and unwavering — to serve as a protector of community and a defender of truth.”
Strickbine said the company’s strategy focuses on supporting existing news operations while improving efficiency through technology and shared services.
“We are not coming in to strip away what makes these papers special,” he said. “We are coming in to support the readers, advertisers and storytelling that has made these papers vital community institutions.”
Jim Moser, president of Moser Community Media and a second-generation newspaper operator who founded the company in 2005, said the sale reflects confidence that the publications will have the resources needed to continue operating.
“These newspapers have always been about serving their communities first,” Moser said. “In Times Media Group, we found a partner that understands the responsibility that comes with local ownership.”
Newspapers included in the acquisition
The acquisition includes the following Texas publications:
- The Alvin Sun
- The Alvin Advertiser
- The Cameron Herald
- The Light and Champion (Center)
- The Cuero Record
- The Graham Leader
- The Highlander (Marble Falls)
- The Marlin Democrat
- The Mexia News
- The Pittsburg Gazette
- The Rosebud News
- The Steel Country Bee (Daingerfield)
- The Wimberley View
- Wharton County Leader-News
- Yorktown News-View
- Bowie County Citizens Tribune
- Breckenridge American
- Burnet Bulletin
- Country World
- Dripping Springs Century News
- East Bernard Express
- Fort Bend Herald
- Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
- Freestone County Recorder-Chronicle
- Groesbeck Journal
- Jacksboro Herald-Gazette
- Jackson County Herald-Tribune
- Mount Pleasant Tribune
- San Marcos Daily Record
- Sulphur Springs News-Telegram
Company materials indicate the portfolio totals 32 publications statewide, including regional editions and affiliated community publications.
Company growth
Strickbine founded Times Media Group in 1997 after leaving a career as a certified public accountant to pursue publishing. The company began with a single community newspaper in North Scottsdale, Arizona, with a circulation of about 5,000.
Nearly three decades later, Times Media Group operates more than 100 print and digital titles across Arizona, California and Colorado, in addition to the newly acquired Texas publications. The company also operates AZ Integrated Media, a distribution and custom publishing business.
“Our team is very excited to get started integrating with the great people at Moser Community Media,” Strickbine said. “We see tremendous opportunity in Texas and intend to continue expanding our presence here in the years ahead.”
Times Media Group reports distributing more than 1.1 million printed copies across its markets and reaching millions of online readers monthly.
Texas Reporter 