Six US newspapers representing more than a century of local journalism have changed hands in a deal which sees the mastheads transferred from one family-owned business to another.

Headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota (pictured), fifth-generation publisher Forum Communications is adding the Wick Communications mastheads to the more than 30 newspapers, TV stations and digital platforms it already owns across the Upper Midwest.

The deal covers the Sidney,MT Herald, Williston, ND Herald, Pierre, SD Capital Journal, Madison, SD Daily Leader, Fergus Falls, MN Daily Journal, Wahpeton, ND Daily News and Hankinson, ND News Monitor. Many of the papers date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Third-generation chief executive of Arizona-headquartered Wick, Josh O'Connor believes the new owner will be “a fantastic steward” of the publications, which fit perfectly into their existing local footprint.

Forum president and chief executive Bill Marcil says the acquisition will secure its place as the largest news-gathering organisation in the Upper Midwest.”

Dirks, Van Essen & April represented Wick in the transaction, terms of which were not disclosed.