The Pine Bluff Commercial announced Monday (March 30) that it has been acquired from WEHCO Media, Inc. by Arkansas-based Newsroom Ventures, LLC, the parent company for five other Arkansas newspapers, including The Fordyce News Advocate.

The transaction marks an exciting new chapter for the newspaper and ensures the continued growth and success of the business.

The Pine Bluff Commercial has proudly served the community for many decades, earning a reputation for quality news reporting. Under the new local ownership, the newspaper will continue operating under its current name and location. A printed newspaper will be mailed directly to subscribers on Fridays, and readers will continue to have access to content at www.pbcommercial.com.

Current Pine Bluff subscribers will continue to have full access to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Through an agreement with the new ownership, the Democrat-Gazette will continue publishing multiple stories each week about the people, issues and events shaping Jefferson County, though beginning April 1 this coverage will no longer appear in a dedicated section of the print edition or digital replica.

“We have attempted to provide a quality newspaper for the past five years,” said Walter Hussman Jr., chairman of WEHCO Media Inc. “We believe Newsroom Ventures, LLC shares our commitment to customers, employees, and the community.”

“We are honored to carry forward the legacy of the Pine Bluff Commercial,” said Roby Brock, CEO and publisher of Newsroom Ventures, LLC. “Our goal is to continue delivering the same high level of service while investing in the company’s long-term success.”

Employees will remain in their current roles, and customers can expect uninterrupted service.

In addition to the existing Pine Bluff staff, Scott Hamilton will join The Pine Bluff Commercial as VP of Community Engagement. David Keith, former editor of The Log Cabin Democrat and a retired professor of journalism at the University of Central Arkansas, will serve as a consultant during a transition period for the paper.

Additional announcements will be made as appropriate.

WEHCO Media, Inc. is a privately-owned diversified communications company with interests in newspaper publishing, cable television, and digital services. The company has been family owned since its founding in 1909. It operates daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and cable television companies in six states.

Newsroom Ventures, LLC is a privately-held company based in Little Rock. It owns and manages newspapers and media products, including The England Democrat, The Grand Prairie Herald, The Fordyce News Advocate, The Waldron News, The Glenwood Herald, and now The Pine Bluff Commercial.