Beginning July 2026, the Whitewright Sun will merge with the Whitesboro News-Record in a consolidated effort to serve readers better in Grayson County.
Coverage will continue weekly with Austin and Jennifer Lewter at the helm as publishers along with Jessica Edwards as editor.
The newly revamped masthead bears the name the “News-Record.”
“We are thrilled to partner with another legendary weekly,” Austin Lewter said. “We have long sought ways to organically grow our coverage in the county and this a natural step.”
The News-Record has served Grayson County since 1877 and is the longest standing newspaper in the county.
After the merger, it will be the last broadsheet left in Grayson County.
“Our goal is to expand coverage across the county from Whitesboro to Whitewright and, eventually, everything in between,” Austin said.
Another change, aside from the name, will affect the current Whitewright subscribers.
Starting in July, newspapers will arrive on Friday instead of Thursday for Whitewright customers.
“Otherwise, it will be business as usual,” Austin said. “Though we do have plans, in the near future, to unify the newspaper websites and streamline our social media strategies.”
Sun publisher Sarah Beth Owen is stepping back and approached Austin with the idea of a merger.
“As Grayson County continues to grow and expand, we need a local news source we can depend on to serve us locally each week,” Owen said. “I am excited to share this new beginning for both newspapers, and I look forward to what the future holds. The staff of the News-Record has many years of experience in the newspaper business and will provide great coverage for the City of Whitewright and all of southeast Grayson County.”
The Whitewright Sun has provided local news coverage for 142 years.
“It has been my great pleasure to serve as the steward of that legacy since 2019,” Owen wrote in a farewell column. “During the last 365 issues, I have spent nearly every week ensuring our community newspaper lived on and brought the latest news to the reader… Throughout this time, I have seen our lovely little town change and grow while staying the same small town we all love, and I have experienced a lot of personal growth. The most valuable thing I will take away from this experience is how identifying the problems is just the beginning; working with others, seeking better understanding, finding solutions and implementing them is where the real work lies.”
Owen thanked the Lewters for taking interest in the Whitewright community.
“As I pass the torch to Austin and Jennifer, I am elated to know the newspaper will continue into the future, and it is my hope it will continue for another 150 years or more,” Owen said.
Austin is a sixth-generation Grayson County native and a career newspaperman.
He and Jennifer have owned the News-Record since 2023.
Aside from the paper, Austin is an instructor of journalism at Tarleton State University; faculty adviser for the Texan News Service and J-TAC newspaper; and the director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism.
“We are passionate about community journalism,” Austin said. “And we love Grayson County. We are the last family-owned newspaper in the county and that is not lost on us. It is a responsibility we take seriously.”
For more information, contact Austin at [email protected] or call 903-564-3565.