Voice Media Group has sold Seattle Weekly to Sound Publishing, a Washington state-based news group which operates 36 community newspapers. Separately, SF Weekly has been acquired by the San Francisco Newspaper Company, which owns the San Francisco Examiner and the San Francisco Bay Guardian:

The sale “will allow Voice Media Group to focus on growth opportunities for mobile and online platforms and to develop core digital offerings in its other key
markets,” the company said in a press release:

“This is a strategic decision aligned with the long-term business goals of VMG,” said Scott Tobias, CEO of Voice Media Group. “Todd Vogt is known for his expertise in the local paper space and he is a great choice to take ownership of SF Weekly.”

Of Seattle Weekly‘s new owners, Tobias said, “We inherently trust [Gloria] Fletcher and Sound Publishing to continue the commitment to excellent local coverage with Seattle Weekly.”

The San Francisco Newspaper Co. is led by Todd Vogt, who serves as co-owner/president/publisher of the SF Examiner. The company is also co-owned by David Black, chairman of Black Press, which is the parent company of Sound Publishing.

Seattle Weekly and SF Weekly will operate independently of one another.