Founded in 1912, the Williamson Daily News has long served as the primary source of information for Mingo County, West Virginia. The paper was established as the successor to The Southern West Virginian, a weekly effort that began in 1900. Based in the heart of the “Billion Dollar Coalfield,” the publication has spent over a century documenting the rise and evolution of the local coal industry, serving as a vital record for municipal meetings, regional elections, and community milestones. 

The newspaper transitioned through several major corporate owners during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It was previously part of Heartland Publications before a 2012 merger by Versa Capital Management integrated it into Civitas Media. Despite these ownership changes, the publication maintained a commitment to local storytelling, often highlighting student achievements and fostering community dialogue through its letters to the editor. In July 2019, the paper adjusted its print frequency to its current format as a weekly broadsheet published every Wednesday. 

In 2017, the Williamson Daily News was acquired by HD Media LLC, a Huntington-based company that also owns the Charleston Gazette-Mail and The Herald-Dispatch. This acquisition brought the historic Mingo County title under the same regional umbrella as other southern West Virginia outlets like the Logan Banner and Coal Valley News. Today, the newspaper continues to bridge its 114-year print legacy with a digital presence, offering updated online coverage of local news, high school sports, and essential public health updates for the Tug Valley region.