After more than six decades under the stewardship of the Nelson family, the Wahkiakum County Eagle has been sold. On January 22, 2026, the Nelsons—a fixture in Cathlamet’s journalistic landscape—handed ownership to Longview businessman Brian Fleming.
The newspaper’s sale was confirmed in a post by the Eagle’s newsroom on its official site, which featured the article “The Eagle flies under new ownership: Nelson family sells local newspaper to Brian Fleming.” The announcement noted the longtime legacy of the Nelson family and introduced Fleming as the new owner. Jacob Nelson currently serves as publisher, succeeding his father Rick (who passed away in 2023), and the family had guided the paper through decades of change and community reporting.
Founded in 1891 as the Skamokawa Eagle, the weekly newspaper has served Wahkiakum County and surrounding areas for generations, becoming a vital source of hyperlocal news. The Nelson family acquired the paper in 1966—first under Bob Nelson, then Rick Nelson until his passing in June 2023—before Jacob Nelson and his husband Brandon J. Simmons took the reins to continue the family legacy.
This transition follows a period of thoughtful stewardship: after Rick Nelson entered hospice care in May 2023 and passed away on June 2, Jacob and Simmons stepped in to ensure continuity. Their involvement prevented what could have been the closure of one of the few remaining independent weeklies in rural Washington. Sources like the Seattle Times and Wikipedia document both the family’s deep ties to the community and the newspaper’s independence and stability during a difficult era for small-town journalism.
With Fleming now at the helm, local watchers will be closely observing whether the Eagle’s editorial direction or community focus shifts under new stewardship. His business background suggests ambitions for modernization or expansion, but the move also raises questions about preserving the Eagle’s character—a legacy built on decades of public service and local accountability.
The Eagle remains central to civic life across Wahkiakum County: covering county commission meetings, school boards, local elections, and community events that larger media often overlook. The sale represents both the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the paper—a moment of transformation at a time when independent local news outlets are increasingly rare.
Local Implications:
- Readers will be attentive to any editorial or operational changes under Fleming’s leadership.
- The sale underscores the financial pressures and succession challenges facing small, family-owned newspapers.
- The community now waits to see if the Eagle’s commitment to hyperlocal coverage remains intact, or if new directions emerge.
The transfer of ownership is both a turning point and a test: can the Eagle retain its soul under new leadership? Its continued survival—and its future as a critical tool for civic engagement—depends on a delicate balance between innovation and heritage.
Watch this space as the story unfolds and the Eagle takes flight in its next chapter.
Sources:
– “The Eagle flies under new ownership: Nelson family sells local newspaper to Brian Fleming,” Wahkiakum County Eagle
– Wahkiakum County Eagle Wikipedia page
– “Family steps up to preserve Wahkiakum County newspaper,” The Seattle Times
