JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — An independent publisher has added two Wyoming community newspapers to his growing list of acquisitions in South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Idaho, Washington, Michigan and Oregon. J. Louie Mullen, owner of Blackbird LLC, has finalized the purchase of both the Cody Enterprise and Gillette News Record.
The Cody Enterprise confirmed Mullen bought the newspaper from Sage Publishing Company, which has owned and operated the Enterprise since 1971. The Cody Enterprise was founded by William F. Cody in 1899. It is Cody’s longest running business.
In Gillette, the Kennedy family turned over the reins to Mullen. The Kennedy’s have been involved with the News Record since 1970. It is also the longest running local business in Gillette, publishing since 1904.
Mullen grew up in Newcastle and now lives in Buffalo with his wife, Dr. Lisa Mullen, and their two daughters. He is part of a second-generation newspaper family. Both of Mullen’s parents are involved in newspapers, and his two brothers also own newspapers.
