Above The Fold Publishing to take over operations of Tyler, Lake Benton and Hendricks newspapers
Above The Fold Publishing, LLC, the parent company of the Tracy Area Headlight Herald, has completed an asset purchase of Lincoln County publications in Tyler, Lake Benton and Hendricks.
Above The Fold Publishing will take over operations of the Tyler Tribute, Lake Benton Valley Journal and Hendricks Pioneer on Jan. 1, 2026, completing months-long negotiations with Buffalo Ridge Newspapers owners Chuck and Pam Hunt.
“We are extremely excited to expand Above The Fold Publishing to include the papers in Tyler, Lake Benton and Hendricks as well as coverage in surrounding communities,” Tracy Area Headlight Herald Publisher and co-owner of Above The Fold Publishing Tara Brandl said. “Community journalism is at the core of our business. We understand the importance a community newspaper brings. From celebrating school championships, to covering community tragedies, to being the watch dog for local taxpayers, the local newspaper is an integral part of the community.”
Brandl and Per Peterson started ATFP in 2019, publishing the first edition of the Tracy Area Headlight Herald on April 1 of that year. The pair took over operations from longtime Tracy Publishing Company owners Jim Keul and Seth Schmidt. Since then, they have broadened coverage, increased subscriptions, revamped their website and started a weekly podcast called the “Headlight Hotseat,” which drops at noon on Saturdays.
The three Lincoln County papers will be published on Thursday, instead of Wednesday. This change aligns the papers with the current Above The Fold print schedule.
“Readers and advertisers of the three papers will see some slight changes, and we look forward to bringing some exciting things to the area as well,” Brandl said.
‘ Community journalism is at the core of our business. We understand the importance a community newspaper brings. From celebrating school championships, to covering community tragedies, to being the watch dog for local taxpayers, the local newspaper is an integral part of the community.
— TARA BRANDL, ABOVE THE FOLD PUBLISHING In addition to the print date change, Brandl and Peterson are working on a website and will also have an e-edition for subscribers with plans to launch in the first quarter of 2026.
BUFFALO RIDGE NEWSPAPERS OWNERS Chuck and Pam Hunt (left) have sold their assets to Above The Fold owners Tara Brandl and Per Peterson. Photo / Mark Wilmes
“Print is our core product,” Brandl said. “But we are also aware that while people want the local news, the way they want it is changing. Providing an online or e-edition for our subscribers allows readers another option to keep informed of what is happening in their community. It gives local advertisers another way to reach customers. It also allows those who may not live in the area any longer but have ties to the area to keep up to date in a timely manner. Keeping people connected is another huge part of the local newspaper.”
Brandl is a 1999 graduate of RTR High School. She graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University with majors in Public Relations and Radio and Television, as well as a minor in Marketing. She has 22 years of experience in the industry, beginning in advertising sales at the Marshall Independent. She worked as advertising manager for the Marshall Independent prior to her and Peterson forming Above The Fold Publishing. She currently is a member of the Minnesota Newspaper Association Board of Directors, serving as first vice-president, as well as the chair of the advertising and digital media committee.
Peterson is a 1990 graduate of Tracy Area High School. Before starting classes at then-Southwest State University, he was hired as a sportswriter for the Marshall Independent, and worked there for 35 years in various capacities, ending his tenure as managing newsroom editor. He has covered Tracy and surrounding communities for the Headlight Herald since 2017.
The Hunts have owned and operated Buffalo Ridge Newspapers for four decades. Chuck Hunt called serving the people of Tyler, Lake Benton and Hendricks over the years a true privilege.
“We have always tried to produce the best newspapers possible for these great towns of Lincoln County,” he said. “That includes serving the town of Tyler for the last 40 years. We have always appreciated the tremendous community support we have had over the years.”
Hunt added that the Buffalo Ridge papers are in new, but good hands.
“We are very pleased that Tara and Per are taking over the reins of these three newspaper,” he said. “They are very experienced newspaper publishers, and we are sure they will continue to give these three towns, and the surrounding area, a great newspaper. We urge the communities of Tyler, Lake Benton and Hendricks to embrace them and give them your total support as they take on the responsibility of producing quality small town newspapers.
Finally, Hunt sends a sincere appreciation to all his employees for their work and commitment to the papers for which they work.
“We want to thank all of the employees we have had over the past 40 years, who have all been dedicated to their jobs and our ultimate goal of giving the people a quality paper each week,” he said.
