[1] Ayers returned to Anniston in the 1960s to take over the family newspaper and succeed his father as publisher.
[6] Under Ayers' leadership, the Star's critical stance towards the leadership of Alabama governor George Wallace, and generally left-wing position on the political issues of the day, led Wallace to label it The Red Star.
[8] Subsequent research showed that allegations of spanking had been levelled against Ayers as early as 2007.
[7] Ayers initially refused to resign as head of Consolidated Publishing in the wake of the allegations.
[9] Ayers was listed amongst prominent media figures to have been the subject of sexual harassment, assault, or other misconduct allegations during the Me Too movement.