• by Ray Schultz , Yesterday

Three more publications have been saved from the scrap heap that seemed probable when News Media Corp. shut down on August 6.

O’Rourke Media Group has acquired the Arizona Silver Belt, Copper Country News and Lake Powell Chronicle. The sale closes on August 31.

This follows Friday’s announcement that Shaw Media is acquiring four publications in Northern Illinois: The Rochelle News-Leader, The Mendota Reporter, Ogle County Life and The Amboy News.

Publications in Wyoming and South Dakota were also saved from the scrap heap by new owners taking them over. 

O’Rourke Media says it will welcome the team of Arizona employees and freelancers. 

“These are solid weekly newspapers serving great communities in Globe and Lake Powell,” says Jim O’Rourke, CEO and owner of the O’Rourke Media Group. “The Arizona Silver Belt has been the paper of record in Globe since 1878, and we look forward to keeping it going as we invest in people, the product and digital area of the business.”

J.J.Thompson, CEO of the Illinois-based News Media Corp., announced to employees: “I am sorry to say that, as of August 6, 2025, your employment with NMC and/or its affiliated companies will end permanently.” This happened on August 6.

O’Rourke says: “I’d like to thank JJ Tompkins for his commitment and engagement to make this happen.”