MORRIS PUBLISHING GROUP PURCHASES KANSAS WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Morris Publishing Group subsidiary of Morris Communications Co. LLC today announced the purchase of The Girard Press, a nondaily newspaper serving Crawford County, Kan. The announcement was made by William S. Morris IV, president and CEO of Morris Publishing Group and president of the parent company.

Published since 1869, The Girard Press is the oldest newspaper in Crawford County. Girard is approximately 20 miles northwest of Pittsburg, Kan., home of the Morris-owned daily The Morning Sun. Stephen M. Wade, The Morning Sun publisher, also will serve as publisher of The Girard Press.

"We welcome The Girard Press to our family of publications in Southeast Kansas," said Morris. "It is a privilege to serve the communities of Crawford County."

The Girard Press, published Wednesdays, has a circulation of approximately 2,300, and its publishing philosophy emphasizes strong local coverage.

"This acquisition gives us a great opportunity to intensify local coverage while simultaneously serving an expanded market area. We are delighted to be a part of the Girard community," said Michael C. Traynor, Morris vice president for newspapers.

Other Kansas newspapers owned by Morris Publishing Group include the following dailies: Dodge City Daily Globe, The Newton Kansan, The Topeka Capital-Journal; the nondaily Spanish-language newspaper La Estrella, Dodge City; and the free community paper The Shopper's Weekly, also in Dodge City.

Morris Publishing Group LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morris Communications Company LLC, a privately held media company based in Augusta, Ga. Morris Publishing Group was formed in 2001 and assumed the operations of the newspaper business segment of its parent, Morris Communications. Morris Publishing publishes 26 daily, 10 nondaily and 23 free community newspapers in the United States.