Jefferson City, Missouri — A trio of newspapers serving Missouri’s capital region has been sold to Scott Faughn, a longtime and controversial figure in state politics whose career has included both political influence and repeated scandals. The Jefferson City News-Tribune, Fulton Sun, and California Democrat were acquired from Arkansas-based WEHCO Media Inc., which had owned the papers since 2008.
Faughn announced that the newspapers will continue operating under their existing names, locations, and staff. He said the goal is to preserve local journalism while ensuring long-term sustainability under Missouri-based ownership. WEHCO publisher Walter Hussman Jr. said the papers have not been profitable in years but described community journalism as a public trust, expressing hope that local ownership could stabilize the outlets.
Faughn’s background has drawn renewed scrutiny. He entered politics young, becoming mayor of Poplar Bluff at 22, but was later convicted in 2007 on felony counts related to forged checks tied to a highway project. He went on to cofound the Missouri Times, an influential political publication, which itself became the subject of controversy over undisclosed lobbyist-funded events.
His most serious scrutiny came during the 2018 scandal involving former Gov. Eric Greitens. Faughn secretly paid $120,000 for recordings related to Greitens’ accuser while continuing to cover the governor, raising sharp questions about ethics and editorial independence. Lawmakers later challenged his explanations under oath, and concerns about conflicts of interest have lingered since.
Notably, the Jefferson City News-Tribune previously criticized Faughn’s conduct, arguing that journalists who become part of the story compromise their role. That history went unmentioned at the press conference, where Hussman urged readers and advertisers to support the transition.
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