Athens Banner-Herald

The Athens Banner-Herald is a 32,000 circulation newspaper in Athens, Georgia, owned by Morris Communications.

The newspaper traces its history to the Southern Banner newspaper that first published on March 20, 1832.

In 1921, the newspaper merged with the Athens Herald to become the Athens Banner-Herald. Earl Braswell served as the newspaper's publisher, a position he held until 1965. That same year, Billy and Charles Morris purchased the newspaper.

On June 17, 1965, the weekly Athens Advertiser began publishing as the Athens Daily News, competing with the afternoon Athens Banner-Herald. Glenn Vaughn wrote in Athens Daily News' first editorial page: "Our goal is to produce a daily newspaper that will be equal to this magnificent community." Lewis Grizzard served as one of the newspaper's first sports writers.

On December 24, 1967, the Morris family, which owned the Athens Banner-Herald bought the Athens Daily News. At first, the Athens Daily News and the Athens Banner-Herald competed against each other through the 1970s. The two papers operated as a morning and an afternoon paper until they merged in 2001. Eventually, the two staffs of the two newspapers merged.

In 1991, the newspaper, along with the Athens Daily News, moved into its new office located at the corner of Thomas and Broad streets. The building is known as The News Building.

In 1996, the newspapers started a Web page, Athenaeum. The following year, the newspaper started OnlineAthens.com, its current Web page.

In 2001, Athens Daily News stopped publishing, leaving the Athens Banner-Herald as Athens' only daily newspaper.

The newspaper routinely wins awards in Georgia Press Association and Georgia Associated Press competitions, including Story of the Year honors in 2002, 2004, and 2006.

In December 2011, the newspaper's parent company, Morris Communications reached an agreement to sell The News Building to Lulscal, LLC.