Moscow-Pullman Daily News

The Moscow-Pullman Daily News has had several different names over the years. But, whatever it's been called, it has continuously published on a daily basis since September 28, 1911 when the first issue of the Daily Star-Mirror was published.

The Daily Star-Mirror was founded by Peter J. Orcutt and John F. Yost. Orcutt had been editor of the Troy News before joining the Star Mirror (then a weekly) in 1908.

In 1939, The Star-Mirror merged with the Moscow News Review, which was first published as a weekly in 1933, with William T. Marineau, formerly of the Elk River News, as the managing editor.

The merger led to the creation of News-Review Publishing Co., and the name of the paper was changed to the Idahonian.

In 1967 William Marineau fought off an attempt to be purchased by a national newspaper chain by going into business with Bud Alford, then editor and publisher of the Lewiston Morning Tribune, and to the Short family of Moscow.

Marineau's son, A.J. (Jack) Marineau was named general manager and later succeeded his father as publisher and also took the title of editor.

Eventually, the Tribune Publishing Co. bought out the Short family and became the majority stockholder. In 1980, Jack Marineau sold his 30 percent interest to the McClatchy Newspaper Group of Sacremento. Two years later, McClatchy sold its interest to the Tribune Publishing Co.

In the late 1980's, the Idahonian became part of the Kerns Tribune Corp., publishers of the Salt Lake Tribune.

In 1984, the Idahonian began publishing the Palouse Empire News, which covered local news in Pullman and Whitman County. And in 1991, the two publications were merged into the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

In 1998, A.L. "Butch" Alford, Jr., purchased the Daily News as well as the /Lewiston Morning Tribune, Whitman County Gazette, and the Sparks, Nev., Tribune from Kerns-Tribune Publishing. This returned ownership of the paper to the local area for the first time since the mid-80s.

Today, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News serves readers in 18 communities in two states with an emphasis on local news, sports, commentary, and advertising. We publish six days a week with regular features on business, the arts, outdoors, travel, seniors, and cooking. we employ approximately 30 people and have a main office in Moscow at 409 S. Jackson.