NEWTON, Iowa – Shaw Media, owner of the Newton Daily News, and Arthur Publishing, owner of the weekly Jasper County Tribune in Colfax, Iowa, have entered a joint-operating agreement, the companies announced today.

Under the deal, the Newton Daily News will manage the day-to-day functions of the Jasper County Tribune for the next 12 months and will then have an exclusive option to acquire the company.

Allyn Arthur, owner of Arthur Publishing and publisher of the Jasper County Tribune since 1994, will serve as a consultant while the joint-operating agreement is in effect.