Lee Names David McCumber Great Falls Tribune Publisher
The veteran journalist will lead the newspaper following Lee Enterprises' recent acquisition of the Tribune from USA TODAY Network.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in People
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Lee Enterprises has named David McCumber publisher and editor of the Great Falls Tribune. The appointment follows Lee's recent acquisition of the paper from USA TODAY Network.
Why it matters
The change in ownership and leadership marks a new chapter for the Tribune, which USA TODAY Network had owned since 1990. Lee Enterprises is making investments aimed at bolstering local news offerings in Great Falls.
McCumber has worked for Lee Enterprises for more than 11 years, and Lee publishes approximately 150 publications nationwide. USA TODAY Network had owned the Tribune since 1990, before the sale to Lee.
The players
David McCumber
A veteran journalist and author with a career spanning more than half a century, including posts at Hearst Newspapers and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Lee Enterprises
A national newspaper publisher operating approximately 150 publications across the United States.
The details
McCumber was most recently senior reporter and executive editor of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, and previously served as Washington Bureau Chief for Hearst Newspapers and managing editor of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer for nine years. He is also the author of three published nonfiction books, including co-authoring 'An Air that Kills' about the asbestos poisoning of Libby, Montana.
Timeline
1990 - USA TODAY Network began owning the Great Falls Tribune.
November 2026 - Lee Enterprises announced McCumber's appointment as publisher and editor.
January 2027 - McCumber expects to permanently relocate to Great Falls.
Legacy Shift
Lee's acquisition ends USA TODAY Network's ownership of the Great Falls Tribune, which began in 1990. The transfer places the paper under a publisher with a long career in regional and national reporting.
Readers of the Great Falls Tribune will see new leadership guiding the paper's coverage as Lee Enterprises takes over operations. Lee has said it is investing to strengthen local news offerings in the city.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at local papers often signal shifts in how communities receive news, so readers may want to watch for coverage changes under new ownership. Local readers can follow the Tribune's reporting to see how the investments Lee has described take shape.
What happens next
McCumber expects to permanently relocate to Great Falls in January 2027, and will be in the city periodically before then.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage to see how newspaper leadership changes are shaping local news.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Great Falls Tribune.
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