The paper was founded in 1869 by John D. Morris and Asher Graham Caruth, as the Weekly Kentucky New Era.
[2][3][4][5] In 1881, attorney Hunter Wood (1845–1920)[6] became sole owner of the paper.
[2] In November 2018, it was announced that the New Era, along with four other papers owned by the family, would be sold to Paxton Media Group.
[7] Among the most bizarre incidents reported on by the New Era is the celebrated Kelly–Hopkinsville encounter with aliens in August 1955.
[8][9] From its founding in 1983 through 2004, Kentucky New Era, Inc. also owned and operated local low-power TV station WKAG-CA.