09/18/2025
Beacon acquires 2 local newspapers
Ownership takes effect Sept. 30; focus remains on community coverage
Beacon Staff
The Burlington Beacon is growing its presence in southeast Iowa with the acquisition of two neighboring community newspapers.
Sycamore Media and Burlington Beacon LLC have signed a purchase agreement for The Beacon to acquire the Des Moines County News and the Wapello Morning Sun. Ownership will officially transfer on Sept. 30.
“We are excited to put these newspapers in the hands of someone local who has a proven history of producing good journalism that serves the people who live in these markets,” said Trevis Mayfield, president of Sycamore Media. “The Beacon operation has an impressive commitment to its markets, and we believe it will be a good steward of these newspapers. We would like to thank our employees and wish them and the Beacon team the best going forward.”
For Beacon owner Jeff Abell, the expansion marks a significant step in the newspaper’s mission to strengthen local journalism at a time when many communities are losing their hometown news and sports coverage.
“Our mission has always been to provide journalism that reflects and supports the communities we serve,” Abell said. “These papers share that same spirit, and we’re eager to build on the strong foundation already in place. While there may be a period of adjustment, our goal is to remain a trusted source of news for our readers.”
Abell also expressed appreciation for Sycamore Media’s leadership in maintaining both papers over the years.
“I’d like to thank our friends at Sycamore Media for being great stewards of these newspapers. We are excited to expand on their good work,” he said.
Founded in 2019, The Burlington Beacon has established itself as a locally owned, independent source of news for Burlington and the surrounding area. With the addition of the Des Moines County News and the Wapello Morning Sun, the Beacon team says it will continue to focus on stories that highlight the people, events, and issues most important to readers.
“Local newspapers are more than just a source of headlines,” Abell said. “They’re a connection point for the entire community — sharing school news, celebrating achievements, spotlighting local businesses, and keeping people informed about decisions that affect their everyday lives. That commitment won’t change with this transition.”
Readers of the Des Moines County News and the Wapello Morning Sun can expect the same emphasis on community coverage, and active print subscriptions will be honored. Readers will be informed of any updates related to design, print frequency, distribution, or operations, Abell noted.
“This is an exciting moment not only for our staff, but for the communities these papers serve,” Abell said. “Our goal is simple: to ensure strong, independent local news remains part of the fabric of southeast Iowa.”