The title changed again with its merger with its rival the Southern Watchman to form the Athens Banner-Watchman in 1882.

[4] The Morris family purchased the rival paper on December 24, 1967, and consolidated its staff into the Athens Banner-Herald.

[5] In 1991, the News and Banner-Herald moved into a new office at the corner of Thomas and Broad Streets.

[citation needed] During this time, the Athens Banner-Herald established a web presence.

[6] In December 2011, Morris Communications reached an agreement to sell The News Building to Lulscal, LLC.