The Athens News (stylized as NEWS) was an American free weekly, English-language newspaper published in Athens, Ohio, and served the area that contains Ohio University. It was founded in 1977 and ceased in 2026.
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid |
| Owner | Adams Publishing Group |
| Publisher | Paul Reynolds |
| Editor | Nicole Bowman-Layton |
| Founded | 1977 |
Ceased publication | 2026 |
| Language | American English |
| Headquarters | 9300 Johnson Rd., Athens, Ohio, 45701 |
| City | Athens |
| Country | United States |
| Circulation | 8,000 (as of 2024)[1] |
| ISSN | 0882-8695 |
| OCLC number | 12010891 |
| Website | athensnews |
History
editThe newspaper was founded by Bruce Mitchell in 1977. It was initially published weekly under the name Athena "A" News but was published every Monday and Thursday since 1982 before becoming a weekly paper in 2019.[2]
In the fall of 2014, the News was acquired by Adams Publishing Group, who had acquired the Messenger earlier that year.[3][4][5]
In 2017, News celebrated its 40th anniversary and commemorated the occasion by publishing a book "40 Years on the Bricks: A History of The Athens NEWS.[6]"
In January 2026, the paper ceased its print edition and went online-only.[7] That June, the paper ceased entirely and was fully absorbed into The Athens Messenger.[8]
Archive
editMicrofilmed issues of the Athens News issues from 1977 to 1990 and paper issues from 2000 to present are located at the Ohio University Alden Library Annex.[9]
History
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Regional Maps and Circulation (Ohio)" (PDF). Adams Publishing Group. December 1, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ↑ Smith, Terry (May 5, 2019). "Back to weekly – 39 years later". The Athens NEWS. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
- ↑ ADAMSPUBGRadmin. "Adams Publishing Group acquires Athens NEWS". Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ↑ "About Athens "A" news. ([Athens, Ohio]) 1977-1978". Library of Congress. Retrieved March 10, 2020., OCLC 20764098
- ↑ "About The Athens news. (Athens, Ohio) 1979-current". Library of Congress. Retrieved March 10, 2020., OCLC 12010891
- ↑ "The Athens News 40th Anniversary Book is in stock now". Southeast Ohio History Center. October 1, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ↑ Layton, Miles (January 25, 2026). "The Downfall of Athens News: Mismanagement in Local Media". Albemarle Observer. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
- ↑ Eslich, Laynee (June 25, 2026). "The Athens News shuts down after nearly 50 years of publishing". The Post. Athens, Ohio. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ Campbell, Paul. "Subject & Course Guides: Newspapers: Athens, Ohio Newspapers". libguides.library.ohio.edu. Retrieved July 27, 2021.