Selma-based Kingfisher Media LLC has expanded its newspaper publication footprint by assuming the news operations of the Western Star in Jefferson County, Alabama, starting on March 1, 2022.
Kingfisher Media owns the Selma Sun and operates the Marion Times Standard in Perry County. The Western Star serves the western Jefferson County communities of Hueytown, Hoover and Pleasant Grove from its office in Bessemer.
“Kingfisher Media’s award-winning staff will revamp the weekly newspaper into a must-read source for news in Western Jefferson County,” said Cindy Fisher, president of Kingfisher Media. “Readers in Western Jefferson County will see a big change in news coverage over the next few months along with new features and products, including a website this year.”
Kingfisher Media entered into a Joint Operating Agreement in October with Bibb Community Media, which owns the Western Star, the Marion Times Standard and the Centreville Press. Kingfisher Media owns and publishes the Selma Sun, an innovative weekly newspaper serving Dallas County. In addition to the printed newspaper, the Selma Sun has a weekly online newscast, podcasts, a daily e-newsletter and social media assets.
Bibb Community Media President David Daniel will serve as publisher and Fisher will serve as editor of the Western Star. Longtime Star staff will continue to provide content and service to advertisers.
Daniel said the two local publishing companies are working together to keep community newspapers relevant while bringing them into the 21st century.
“The Western Star, Centreville Press and Marion Times Standard are publishing bedrocks of Central Alabama,” Daniel said. “The current newspaper staffs worked hard to keep these important and historical print media publications in circulation when so many newspapers have closed their doors in the face of digital competition from the internet and social media. It's my hope that with our new combined resources, we can help these publications reach new and larger audiences and continue serving this area for generations to come. I'm honored to lead this new effort, and I am excited to see what the future holds."
Daniel said there will be a continued focus on positive community news and events and more reporting on economic progress in all of the areas served by the publications.
In the near future, plans include offering companion digital publications. Future subscriber packages may offer access in a variety of formats including print, digital, or all access, along with other subscriber benefits that will be announced soon.
KFM owner Cindy Fisher said her four-year-old company is excited to expand into another central Alabama community.
“KFM’s goal is to rebuild once-strong community newspapers to provide readers with hyperlocal, reliable coverage they can’t find anywhere else,” Fisher said.
Kingfisher Media has won numerous statewide awards for news coverage and innovative videos that share local stories with the community in new ways.
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