Minneapolis Company Acquires a Dozen Iowa Newspapers

A Minneapolis-based newspaper and media company is now the owner of a dozen Iowa newspapers, including a major Cedar Rapids publication.

Per The Des Moines Register (who is not a part of this sale, just a source on the deal itself), Adams MultiMedia has successfully purchased 12 Iowa newspapers, including The Cedar Rapids Gazette. The sale was announced this week, and is expected to be completed by Monday, December 1st.

What Newspapers Were Included in the Sale?:

The price Adams MultiMedia paid for The Cedar Rapids Gazette and the other newspapers was not immediately disclosed. The Gazette has been in circulation since 1883, and was entirely employee-owned through Folience, a holding company, per The Des Moines Register:

The other newspapers included in the deal are as follows:

• Fairfield Ledger
• Hometown Current
• Marengo Pioneer Republican
• Mount Pleasant News
• New London Journal
• Pekin Clarion Plainsman
• Poweshiek County Chronicle Republican
• Southeast Iowa Union
• Washington Evening Journal
• Williamsburg Journal Tribune
• Winfield Beacon-Wayland News

The acquisition also included three community shopper publications: The Pennysaver, Hometown Marketplace, and Southeast Iowa Shooper, all of which will now be owned by Adams MultiMedia as well.

The CEO of Folience Speaks:

It's been a challenging time for The Cedar Rapids Gazette, as outlined by Folience President and CEO Tom Pientok, who released a statement following the sale of the publications:

Media companies across the country are facing unprecedented challenges, and local journalism is no exception. In today’s environment, sustaining a 100% independent newspaper has become increasingly difficult. By aligning The Gazette with Adams MultiMedia, we’ve provided the opportunity for our community’s voice to continue to be heard and for local journalism to remain strong for years to come - Folience President and CEO Tom Pientok, per The Des Moines Register

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Since February 2025, The Cedar Rapids Gazette reduced its printed newspaper to three days per week (Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday).

Meanwhile, Adams MultiMedia owns more than 120 newspapers and over 220 digital publications, in addition to websites, across 19 states. This marks the first time Adams has purchased Iowa newspapers too. Read more about the recent sale on The Des Moines Register's website.