# USA TODAY Co. Consolidates Arizona Newspaper Ownership

USA TODAY Co. has assumed full ownership and operational control of the Arizona Daily Star as of September 28, 2026, ending its joint venture with Lee Enterprises. Concurrently, Lee Enterprises acquired four newspapers in South Dakota and Montana, realigning regional media ownership. This consolidation affects local advertising markets and media procurement relationships in Arizona, South Dakota, and Montana, with implications for government and commercial entities relying on local news outlets for outreach and communication.

- Procurement professionals should note the shift in media ownership impacting advertising contracts and local market access in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, as well as Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, South Dakota.
- Contractors and agencies engaged in public information campaigns may need to reassess vendor relationships and advertising strategies due to the realignment of newspaper ownership.
- This development signals potential changes in local media procurement dynamics, emphasizing the importance of monitoring ownership structures when planning regional outreach or marketing efforts.
- Organizations involved in media procurement should consider engaging with USA TODAY Co. for Arizona-based opportunities and Lee Enterprises for South Dakota and Montana markets.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Professional Services
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 28, 2026

### Vendors
- USA TODAY Co., Inc. (owner and operator of Arizona Daily Star)
- Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (owner and operator of South Dakota and Montana newspapers)

### Key Quotes
> As leaders in the industry, we have a responsibility to ensure local news organizations are positioned for long-term success.
> — Michael A. Anastasi, Senior Vice President of Local News at the USA TODAY Network

### Sources
- [USA TODAY Co. gains full ownership of the Arizona Daily Star](https://ppc.land/usa-today-co-gains-full-ownership-of-the-arizona-daily-star) - PPC Land