About
The Harlan Newspapers is one of Harlan’s oldest continuously operating businesses, with roots dating back to 1870. For more than 150 years, our newspaper family has chronicled the life, growth, and spirit of Shelby County and surrounding communities.
Our Early History (1870–1930s)
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, readers in Shelby County were served by several competing, politically opposite newspapers — each battling for readership and advertising dollars.
By the 1930s, the field consolidated to two primary publications:
The Harlan Republican (est. 1870)
The Harlan Tribune (est. 1879)
These two newspapers would shape the foundation of what eventually became today’s Harlan Newspapers.
The Mores & Cramer Era
1939 – Leo Mores and Wayne Cramer purchased the Harlan Tribune from Earl Davis and Fred Louis, Jr.
Mores arrived from the Rockwell City newspaper following his graduation from Iowa State.
Cramer, a well-known Wayne, Nebraska publisher, offered Mores a partnership that allowed Mores to buy him out over time — a model Mores would later use to support the careers of a dozen Iowa newspaper publishers.
1946 – The News Advertiser (formerly the Republican) was purchased from Glen Liston, who previously partnered with longtime publisher David Brown.
1958 – Leo and Irene Mores became sole owners of both papers following the deaths of Cramer and Mores’s cousin, fellow Denison publisher John DeGaard.
1967 – The company embraced offset printing and, instead of joining a group purchase, acquired its own press — creating a central printing plant servicing 10 area newspapers.
1968 – Leo & Irene’s son Steve Mores joined the business as associate publisher in 1968 and became co-publisher in 1974 after serving as sports editor and business manager.
1978 – Purchased five new Goss press units and partnered with what is now MediaCom to develop a news and weather cable TV channel.
1980 – Leo & Irene’s other son Alan Mores joined the company in 1980 and became co-publisher in 1984.
1989 – Adopted Apple and Adobe desktop publishing technologies, further modernizing production.
1991 – Pressroom expansion added a second story and a sixth press unit.
1996 – Launched Media Management, a marketing arm offering tailored marketing plans, printing and design.
1999 – Introduced our website HarlanOnline.com, which now averages over 100,000 monthly page views and more than 600 subscribers. The website has twice been named Iowa’s top twice-weekly newspaper site.
2005 – Added a complete color copier center, allowing Media Management to offer more products and services.
2000 – Purchased two double-high Goss presses (totaling 10 units) and partnered with SmallTownPapers to digitally archive the newspapers.
2007. – Printed more than 35 publications in Iowa and Nebraska with a staff of 25. The Harlan Newspapers became Iowa’s fifth-largest twice-weekly newspaper, garnering over 250 state and national awards.
2009 – Became one of just 20 newspapers in the nation — and the only in Iowa — to adopt Kodak’s environmentally friendly computer-to-plate system. This reduced plate processing from 15–20 minutes to under three minutes with zero chemicals or heat. Five regional operations later followed suit.
2010 – Upgraded the website to include video and enhanced advertising features through TownNews.
2012 – Launched the new Harlan Online e-edition, offering archived issues, the ability to share and save stories, and receive the paper within 90 minutes of going to press.
That same year, Harlan Newspapers became the first Shelby County business to offer an iPad, Droid, and Kindle Fire app.
2016 – E edition and website became fully mobile-responsive with support from Surf New Media.
2018 – Named Business of the Year by the Shelby County Chamber.
A New Chapter
2020 – After 81 years of Mores family leadership, the business was sold to Louie Mullen, owner of Blackbird LLC.
The Harlan Newspapers continues its long tradition of community journalism under this new chapter of ownership.
Awards & Recognition
The Harlan Newspapers has a proud legacy of excellence:
Three Mores family members — Leo, Steve & Alan Mores — earned Iowa’s highest journalism honor, the Master Editor-Publisher Award.
Five team members — Leo, Steve & Alan Mores; Mike Kolbe; Lori Christensen — have received Harlan Citizen of the Year awards.
In 2003, Alan and Steve Mores were named SBA Journalists of the Year.
Collectively The Harlan Newspapers has won more than nearly 300 state and national newspaper awards.
Today
Our press, pre-press, advertising, editorial, graphics, and support teams continue to earn praise for:
Strong community journalism
Excellent print quality
Reliable production
Innovative digital offerings
Dependable service to customers and readers
With more than 150 years behind us, The Harlan Newspapers continues its mission of informing, connecting, and celebrating the people of Shelby County and beyond.
