Pamplin Media Group, who publishes the News-Times, a community paper in Forest Grove, launched the Hillsboro Tribune in August 2012 to compete with The Argus.

[3] The publisher planned to open a local office in Forest Grove after the Leader's debut and hire new employees while also using existing staff.

[9] The competition between the media companies in Washington County was the focus of a "Think Out Loud" segment on Oregon Public Broadcasting in November 2012.

[2][12] The paper was designed to provide hyperlocal coverage to Forest Grove, Banks, Gales Creek, Gaston, and parts of Cornelius.

[3] Coverage included high school sports, education, Pacific University, government, and other local news in the Forest Grove area.