El Rito Media acquires three NM newspapers

May 8—El Rito Media has purchased three Gannet newspapers throughout New Mexico, giving the media company five newspapers.

The Alamogordo Daily Press, the Carlsbad Current Argus and the Ruidoso News will be part of El Rito Media. They had been Gannett newspapers.

El Rito Media formed in 2022 with the purchase of the Rio Grande Sun and last year it bought The Artesia Daily Press.

"We appreciate Gannett's willingness to sell us these local newspapers with long and proud histories of serving their respective communities," said Harvey E. Yates, Jr., managing member of El Rito Media.

Dirks Van Essen & April, a media merger and acquisition firm based in Santa Fe, represented Gannett during the transaction, which is expected to close on or near June 1.

Yates said in a news release that the primary focus of the papers will be local news and opinion.

Richard Connor will be the editor and publisher of all five newspapers. He said in the news release he wants to hire local community members to assist with reporting and management.

Frank Leto will be the chief revenue officer for the publications.

The three recently acquired newspapers plan to immediately start interviewing candidates for reporters and editors and sales and marketing executives.

Last week, Gannett announced it had agreed to sell The Daily Times in Farmington to Ballentine Communications, which last opened the Tri-City Record, which covers Aztec, Bloomfield and Farmington.

Ballentine Communications said it plans to merge the two Four Corners newspapers. Ballentine Communications also owns The Durango Herald and The Journal in Southwest Colorado.

"Gannett's mission is to empower and enrich communities across the country, and our business decisions are driven by our commitment to best serve them," said Michael Anastasi, Gannett's vice president of Local News. "We are grateful for the support of our readers and advertisers throughout the years and thank our employees for their dedication and hard work."