Pierce City Leader-Journal

02/04/2026

Had to have emergency surgery on Feb. 3. All plans on hold while recovering. - James McNary, editor

01/14/2026

Had to slow down a bit the past few days, having kidney issues. Plan to be back at it as soon as possible! - James McNary, editor

01/05/2026

We would like to thank MFA Oil Company for their generous contribution toward fuel purchases as we work to bring the Leader-Journal and its sister paper back to publication.

MFA Oil is a farmer-owned cooperative providing fuels, propane, and energy solutions across the Midwest since 1929.

12/16/2025

We're making progress in bringing the Leader-Journal back into print (and online), getting settled in at our new office!

11/08/2025

Getting set up in our new office!

10/31/2025

Update: We are in progress on returning to print and online publication. Currently finalizing details for printing and completing website. Our parent organization, Ozark Prairie Media, is also setting up a business office in Golden City. Present plan is to be up and running in a few weeks.

06/28/2024

This is James McNary, editor: With the recent news of merger from neighboring publications, we wanted to give an update.

We're still working to bring the papers back to publication. The biggest issues are the constraints on time that I can volunteer, and funding: rising printing and postage costs will be about $700-$800 per week.

As not-for-profit, we didn't enter into this endeavor intending to earn any money - we just wanted to keep the papers going. It tears me up that I have been home-bound for most of the past six months.

We have had inquiries about selling the subscriber lists - we will consider that course as a last resort. As my health has been slowly improving, it is my intent to return the papers to operation.

We can accept donations, of time and funding, as Ozark Prairie Independent Media is a Missouri not-for-profit corporation (though tax-deductible receipts require more steps as our 501(c)(3) status is pending).

Anyone that wants to help us to get the papers back more quickly is welcome to contact me at 417-499-9357. Be aware that any abusive calls received may just be recorded and posted on our YouTube.

05/03/2024

Status update: This is James McNary, editor. We are still working out a path to resume publication of The Leader-Journal and its sister paper. I have, however, had further setbacks with my health: an emergency surgery April 10 on my right kidney, and an episode with my left kidney two weeks later. We are open to suggestions and listening to all proposals at this point.

02/29/2024

This is James McNary, editor. For the past few weeks, we have been unable to publish The Pierce City Leader-Journal and its sister paper, as I have been experiencing severe health issues.

The challenge we now face is that I am under doctor's orders to reduce my activities, including my volunteer work with Ozark Prairie Media.

In addition, our printing vendor, The Joplin Globe, has announced that they will be pulling their presses and will begin trucking their paper up from Tulsa each day. We can move with them to printing in Tulsa, but their prices are higher than what we are currently paying.

Please bear with us as we navigate this new reality. As a small not-for-profit, we already had limited resources available, and with the new restrictions I face due to my health, we need all the help we can get.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to support our continued effort to publish community newspapers can contact us via Facebook or any of the other methods we have posted.

01/27/2024

Hello, this is Amy McNary.
We have had a serious medical issue in the family. I understand papers have not gone out for two weeks and I apologize.
Please be patient as we work through this.
Thank you!

01/25/2024

Delays due to staff medical emergency. Apologies for any inconvenience.