Tupelo Journal group buys Memphis-area papers

Journal, Inc., the parent of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and non-daily newspapers such as The Pontotoc Progress and Monroe Journal, has completed a deal to pick up half a dozen suburban Memphis publications from the defunct Suburban Community Newspapers, aka West 10. It is the first out-of-state and out-of-primary market investment for the Journal group, which describes itself as a newspaper publisher, regional print center and “logistics services” provider in the press release announcing the purchase. Journal previously had purchased the Ripley Southern Sentinel and Ashland Southern Advocate from the same group a few years back.

More from The Commercial Appeal.

Bylines: Young joins Dispatch as news editor

A West Virginia journalist with more than 20 years experience has joined the staff of The Dispatch. Nerissa Young assumed the role of news editor Monday, replacing former news editor Garthia Elena Halbert-Burnett, who was promoted to managing editor earlier this month.

Former Ole Miss prof files cops complaint

The former director of Student Media at the University of Mississippi has filed a complaint against Chicago Police saying his constitutional rights were violated after an officer allegedly erased a video clip he made of a turnstile jumper’s arrest at a CTA station.

Lynch named publisher of Laurel Leader-Call

Mitchell D. Lynch has been appointed publisher of the Laurel Leader-Call. Lynch began his duties as publisher on Wednesday. He succeeds Skippy Haik, a former member of the MPA Board of Directors, who is staying on with the newspaper in the role of business manager.

Newspaper publisher out to catch thieves

Readers of the Stone County Enterprise may soon see their photos on the front page of the paper — but not for a good reason.

In response to newspaper theft, editor and publisher Heather Freret decided to take action.

DJ reporter to receive Silver Em

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal senior staff writer Patsy R. Brumfield, a longtime Mississippi journalist, will receive the University of Mississippi’s 2011 Samuel S. Talbert Silver Em Award Oct. 13.

Oct. 2-8 is National Newspaper Week

Despite all the doomsayers out there writing obituaries for the nation’s newspaper industry, 150 million Americans — two out of three adults — read a local newspaper last week.

Newspaper Association of America research from 2011 by Scarborough USA indicates almost 70 percent of your neighbors read either a printed newspaper or its online counterpart within the past seven days.

Why Netflix is a cautionary tale for papers

From Gigaom: What kinds of lessons can newspapers and other print publishers draw from the experience of Netflix, which has come under fire from users for trying to make the transition from its legacy DVD-rental business to online streaming? Here’s a hint: they’re not good.

Bynum, longtime state editor, dies at 59

James L. “Buddy” Bynum, former editor of The Meridian Star and a former aide to Gov. Haley Barbour and former Congressman Trent Lott, died at his home in Ridgeland. He was 59.

He was editor in Meridian at his hometown paper from 2000-2005. He was a former editor and co-owner of Mississippi Business Journal.

• Fredie Carmichael‘s tribute

Leader-Call dropping to four editions a week

The Laurel-Leader Call announced it will drop from seven days a week to four and convert to mail delivery. No changes are expected with the Sunday edition, which will continue to be delivered by carrier. Monday, Friday and Saturday papers get the axe.