Mullen Newspaper Company is a privately owned publisher of daily, non-daily and weekly newspapers based in Deer Lodge, Montana, United States. With 20 publications, the publisher operates in six states, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, and Washington.[1]
Mullen Newspaper Company was founded in 2018 by journalist and media executive Jesse Mullen in 2018,[2] when he purchased the Philipsburg (Mont.) Mail and Silver State Post.
In December 2020, Mullen purchased the Bitterroot Star from Michael and Victoria Howell, who founded the newspaper in 1985.[3]
In May 2021, Mullen purchased Idaho based newspaper St. Maries Gazette Record that covers news, sports, and events in the local area. St. Maries Gazette Record was founded in 1902, and before its acquisition, it was operated by Hammes Family from 1958 to 2021.[1]
Mullen Newspaper Company acquired six daily and weekly newspapers of Kansas based publisher owned by Haynes Family. The family was in the Newspaper industry for the last 30 years before their retirement in 2022.[4][5][6][7]
In May 2022, Mullen Newspaper Company acquired four regional newspapers that Kavanagh Family was previously operating from Montana for the last 40 years.[8][9]
Mullen stepped down as CEO of Mullen Newspaper Company in 2022 to run for public office following the death of Montana State Senator, Mark Sweeney.[10] Mullen was endorsed by Senator Sweeney's widow, Susan Sweeney, who joined Mullen's campaign as treasurer. Mullen was also endorsed by the Montana Federation of Public Employees and AFL-CIO - Montana.[11]
Alex Barta, publisher of the St. Maries Gazette Record, is the current CEO of Mullen Newspaper Company.[12]