Louisiana’s largest private newspaper corporation, Louisiana State Newspapers (LSN), has decided to sell three of their north Louisiana newspapers to The Franklin Group, LLC, owners of The Jena Times Olla-Tullos-Urania Signal in Jena, LA.
The announcement came Wednesday, February 4, following over two months of negotiations between the two entities.
The three newspapers being sold are: The Richland Beacon-News, the official journal of Richland Parish; The Tensas Gazette, the official journal of Tensas Parish; and The Caldwell Watchman, the official journal of Caldwell Parish.
The sale of the three papers is expected to be completed by mid-February. The Franklin Group is owned by Craig Franklin and his wife, Kimberly Franklin. They currently own The Jena Times.
“This decision was not made lightly and reflects transition that will position these newspapers for continued growth and long-term success,” LSN publisher of three papers Garland Forman explained. “The new owners have expressed a strong commitment to the communities and the customers of the three papers, along with the values that have guided these papers over the years. Craig and Kimberly Franklin share our commitment to quality service and respect to everyone.”
The award-winning Jena newspaper is the oldest continuously operated business in LaSalle Parish. Established in 1905, some five years before LaSalle Parish was created from Catahoula Parish on January 1, 1910, The Jena Times Olla-Tullos-Urania Signal has now faithfully served the residents of this area for over 120 years. The first issue of the newspaper was published on March 23, 1905.
The Franklins purchased the newspaper from the succession of Sammy J. Franklin, Craig’s father. Sammy Franklin was the newspaper’s longest serving publisher and editor, having served in that capacity for 54 years. He passed away on January 28, 2022.
All three of the newspapers to be sold are the oldest businesses in their respective par- The Richland Beacon-News was founded in 1869 by brothers Wiley P. Mangham (1838-1896) and Thomas J. Mangham (1835-1918). The current editor is Darryl Riser.
The Caldwell Watchman was founded in 1883 and has served as a vital news source of Columbia and Caldwell Parish for over a century. It merged with The Caldwell Progress in 1937. The current editor and office manager is Glenda Taylor.
The Tensas Gazette was founded in 1886 in St. Joseph by Andrew Marschalk, the son of Andrew Marschalk Sr., the “father of printing” in Mississippi. Journalist M.J. Doran was the editor and the paper has been a vital source of news and information for the Tensas Parish community. The current editor is Sandy Igo. “We are thankful to LSN and their leadership for the opportunity to acquire these three newspapers in parishes where we have had connections for years,” Craig Franklin said. “My dad actually started his long and successful newspaper career at The Caldwell Watchman when he was just a boy growing up in Caldwell Parish, so this is a special time in the life of the Franklin family. My parents from both sides are from Caldwell Parish and I lived in Richland Parish in the 1990s. We also have many friends in Richland and Tensas parishes where we have ministered in churches for years. Our goal is to provide newspapers each community is proud of and to continue the rich history of serving the residents of those parishes.”
