McCurtain Gazette-News explained

McCurtain Gazette-News
Type:	Newspaper
Foundation:	1905
Headquarters:	Idabel, Oklahoma

The McCurtain Gazette-News is a local newspaper published in McCurtain County, Oklahoma. Founded in Idabel, Oklahoma, in 1905, the paper gained national attention for recording and publishing audio of county officials leading to the 2023 McCurtain County, Oklahoma audio recording scandal.

History

The McCurtain Gazette-News was founded in Idabel, Oklahoma, in 1905 as the Idabel Signal.^{[1] [2]} The paper has been published by Bruce Willingham and the Willingham family since 1988.^[3] In 2023, the paper had a circulation of about 4,400 readers and published three issues weekly. The Gazette typically covers local events, provides district court coverage, and occasionally reprints old articles from their microfilm archives.

The paper received national attention in 2023 when reporter Chris Willingham recorded, published, and reported on an audio recording of county officials discussing killing him and other controversial remarks resulting in the 2023 McCurtain County, Oklahoma audio recording scandal.^{[4] [5]}

Notes and References

1. News: Smith . Jessie Christopher . McCurtain County officials were already sued in federal court by the Gazette-News. Why? . 20 April 2023 . . April 19, 2023.
2. A Small-Town Paper Lands a Very Big Story . The New Yorker . 24 July 2023 . Williams . Paige .
3. News: Bunyan . Clytie . McCurtain County scandal spotlights need for local watchdog journalism . 23 April 2023 . . April 21, 2023.
4. News: Levenson . Michael . An Oklahoma Newspaper's Secret Recording Prompts Calls for Officials to Resign . 20 April 2023 . . April 18, 2023.
5. News: Hare . Kristen . This newspaper brought a vile conversation into the light in McCurtain County, Oklahoma . 22 April 2023 . Poynter . April 19, 2023.