Powers Exits Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Brent Powers is leaving his role as president of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with Mark Lane serving in an interim capacity.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People
Brent Powers is leaving his position as president of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette after roughly a decade with the paper. WEHCO Media announced the departure on Tuesday, and Mark Lane will serve as the top executive in an interim capacity.
Why it matters
The change at the top of Northwest Arkansas's largest newspaper comes as Powers moves to another company. Leadership continuity at a regional daily affects how the paper is run for readers across the state.
Powers, 53, served roughly a decade with the paper, while Lane has led WEHCO's newspaper division since 2017 after more than 40 years in the industry. A permanent successor has not been named, and the company Powers is joining was not identified.
The players
Brent Powers
Brent Powers is a longtime Arkansas media executive who has led the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and also serves as president of the Hawgs Sports Network.
Mark Lane
Mark Lane is a veteran newspaper executive with more than 40 years in the industry who has led WEHCO Media's newspaper division since 2017.
WEHCO Media
WEHCO Media is a family-owned media company founded in 1909 that publishes the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
The details
WEHCO Media, which has been family owned since its founding in 1909, announced Powers' departure in a statement on Tuesday. Powers, who is also president of the Hawgs Sports Network, will leave the newspaper on Nov. 13.
Timeline
Tuesday (Nov. 3, 2026): WEHCO Media announces Powers' departure.
Nov. 13, 2026: Powers' final day with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Market Landscape
WEHCO Media has remained family owned since its 1909 founding, which makes this leadership change a rare internal transition for a regional newspaper group. The move places new interim leadership at the head of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette within the company's long-standing ownership structure.
Readers of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette will see interim leadership in place until a permanent president is named. The change does not alter the paper's subscription or delivery arrangements as reported in the announcement.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at long-established family-owned newspapers often signal the start of a broader management reshuffle, and readers should watch for a permanent appointment. Subscribers can follow the paper's coverage for updates on the search.
Further reading
For more on regional media leadership, see People coverage across Arkansas.
