The Shelbyville Times-Gazette, along with four other Tennessee newspapers formerly owned by Apex Media LLC, was formally acquired on March 1 by Richardson Media Group (RMG), a growing publishing company that focuses on community newspapers. This acquisition signifies a substantial expansion for Richardson Media Group, underlining its dedication to enhancing local journalism.
In the previous year, the Times-Gazette transitioned ownership when Apex Media LLC purchased it from Holler Media, who had shuttered the publication in July 2023. Daniel Richardson, founder of Richardson Media Group, was subsequently appointed to manage these newspapers, ensuring their ongoing prosperity within their respective communities.
Established in August 2023, Richardson Media Group emerged from Daniel Richardson’s collaborations with Holler Media and Apex Media. Daniel, a lifelong newspaper enthusiast, was inspired and tutored by his father, the late Dennis Richardson, who initiated his foray into publishing in 1983 with his first newspaper acquisition. This venture eventually expanded into Magic Valley Publishing Company.
Following Daniel’s enlistment in the United States Marine Corps and graduation from the University of Tennessee at Martin and his entry into the family business in 2012, the company saw remarkable growth.
Unfortunately, Dennis Richardson’s sudden passing in July 2021 left Daniel as the CEO of the company, which by that time owned and operated 16 community newspapers, along with a web press and mailroom operation in Huntington. Last fall, Daniel relinquished his position, passing the leadership to his mother, the company’s owner, Lisa Richardson, and his brothers, Mark and Matthew Richardson.
The Times-Gazette, as it is currently named, began with the 1948 merger of the Shelbyville Gazette and the Bedford Times, publications which date back to 1874 and 1886, respectively.
The merging of the two publications was led by publisher and owner Franklin Yates, who purchased the Bedford County Times from J.A. Collum in 1946 and then the Shelbyville Gazette in 1948. Yates led the publication for nearly half a century before stepping down in 1994. The T-G has a long and storied history in reporting the news of Bedford County.
Today, the Times-Gazette is operated out of its office at 411 Elm St. in Shelbyville.
Renee Brown serves as office manager and fills several of the roles necessary to publish a community newspaper.
Dawn Hankins, a veteran news reporter who has spent time as editor of the Times-Gazette in the past, is heading up the news department, with Noah Maddox, a Bedford County native and MTSU graduate, serving as sports editor.
“We’ve got a really good team in place so far at the T-G,” Richardson said. “I’m excited about the future of this newspaper and this great community.”
The acquisition also included the Marshall County Tribune, which was shuttered along with the Times-Gazette in July by Holler Media, LLC. Plans are underway to relaunch the Marshall Co. Tribune this spring.
Other publications included in the acquisition include the Livingston Enterprise, the Jackson County Sentinel, the Celina Citizen-Statesman, and the Fentress Courier.
Richardson Media Group’s portfolio has now expanded to include nine newspapers. In addition to those listed here, other group newspapers include the Courier (Savannah), The Jackson Post, The Dresden Enterprise, and The Martin Post, demonstrating the company’s commitment to preserving and revitalizing community journalism across Tennessee.
