05/19/2026
HD Media LLC., has sold its two Virginia-based newspapers — the Virginia Mountaineer and the Lebanon News — to regional publishing company Virginia Media Inc.
Virginia Media is led by publisher Michael Showell, who also operates Mountain Media in West Virginia. Mountain Media’s roster of publications includes The Pocahontas Times, the Clay County Free Press and The Pendleton Times, among others, in West Virginia. The company also operates eight newspapers in Virginia.
“We are excited for the opportunity to work with the Lebanon News and Virginia Mountaineer newspapers,” Showell said. “It is our privilege to continue expanding local journalism coverage across Southern Virginia. Our mission to support Appalachian communities through objective local news now reaches 18 counties throughout Virginia and West Virginia.
“As a family-owned community newspaper organization, we understand the important role local newspapers play in keeping communities informed, connected and engaged. We are committed to preserving strong local journalism while continuing to invest in both print and digital coverage that serves readers, businesses, and community organizations throughout the region.”
HD Media acquired the Lebanon News and Virginia Mountaineer in September 2022 from Mountaineer Publishing.
While under HD Media control, the publications continued their proud tradition of producing important local journalism focused on issues affecting Russell and Buchanan counties.
HD Media also advanced the newspapers’ online presence with the creation of dedicated websites and a shift toward a digital-first approach to delivering the news.
“We are grateful for the Russell and Buchanan county community support the last four years,” HD Media Managing Partner Doug Reynolds said. “While we are not shy about stepping up to preserve community journalism, we are equally willing to pass the torch to someone with a history of being deeply focused on southwest Virginia community publishing.”
Virginia Media will take control of the Virginia Mountaineer and Lebanon News effective June 1. Following the transfer of ownership, HD Media’s portfolio will include 11 publications across West Virginia and Ohio, highlighted by the Charleston Gazette-Mail and The Herald-Dispatch in Huntington.
“Our focus remains the same as we continually search for community newspapers that fit into our template and profile,” HD Media President Phil Perry said. “We want the Virginia Mountaineer and the Lebanon News to continue to find success in serving their readership and we feel that Virginia Media is best positioned to facilitate that path.”
