Founded in 1852 by John and David P. Pugh, the Portsmouth Daily Times has served as a cornerstone of journalism in southern Ohio for over 170 years. Originally established as a weekly publication, it evolved into a daily morning newspaper based in Portsmouth, serving as the primary record of public life for Scioto County and surrounding regions, including five Ohio counties and two in Kentucky. Throughout its long history, the publication has been recognized for its resilience, chronicling major historical events while providing comprehensive coverage of local government, education, and high school athletics. 

The newspaper underwent significant operational shifts during the 21st century as it navigated a changing media landscape. In April 2010, the Daily Times printed its final edition on-site, moving production to Gallipolis, Ohio, and subsequently vacating its long-time headquarters on Sixth Street in 2016. Ownership of the paper transitioned through several large media groups, including Civitas Media and later AIM Media Midwest, which acquired the publication in 2017. During this era, the paper adjusted its publication frequency from a daily schedule to its current format of twice-weekly editions on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

In July 2024, the Portsmouth Daily Times entered its latest chapter when it was acquired by West Virginia-based HD Media LLC from AIM Media Midwest. This move integrated the historic Ohio paper into a regional network that includes the Charleston Gazette-Mail and The Herald-Dispatch. Today, the Daily Times continues to leverage its deep-rooted history to provide essential community reporting, maintaining its role as the trusted “paper of record” for the region while expanding its digital presence and multimedia offerings.