The Austin American-Statesman is changing hands again. Hearst, which owns the San Antonio Express-News and Houston Chronicle, has agreed to buy the Statesman from media company Gannett. The sale price wasn’t disclosed.

In addition to the Statesman, the deal would include the Bastrop Advertiser, Lake Travis View, Pflugerville Pflag, and Round Rock Leader, according to the Statesman. Websites such as Austin360 and Hookem.com are also part of the sale.

“This acquisition complements Hearst's set of newspapers and reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality journalism,” Jeff Johnson, president of Hearst’s newspaper division, says in a news release. “It aligns with our strategy to invest in thriving communities with strong potential. We look forward to welcoming the Austin American-Statesman team to Hearst, joining 2,300 committed Hearst [newspaper] professionals across the country.”

The deal, which is expected to be completed by March 31, comes seven years after longtime owner Cox Enterprises sold the Statesman to Gatehouse Media for $47.5 million. Gannett acquired the Statesman when it merged with Gatehouse in a 2019 deal valued at $1.4 billion.

The purchase of the Statesman and other Austin-area publications boosts Hearst’s holdings in Texas. Aside from the Express-News and Chronicle, Hearst owns the Beaumont Enterprise, Laredo Morning Times, Midland Reporter-Telegram, and Plainview Herald. The company also owns Austin Monthly and Austin Home magazines, the Austin Daily digital newsletter, and San Antonio Magazine.

“Hearst has a stellar reputation in the publishing industry and their values are uniquely aligned with ours,” says Gannett Chairman and CEO Mike Reed. “The sale of the Austin American-Statesman is a strategic decision that will complement their brand while positioning Gannett and the USA Today [network] of more than 200 local publications for future growth. We are confident Hearst will be a great home for our Statesman colleagues.”

Hearst publishes 26 daily and 52 weekly newspapers in the U.S., and more than 200 magazines around the world.

As with many newspapers, the Statesman’s circulation has dwindled in recent years. The combined print and digital circulation fell from 79,545 in 2022 to 70,733 in 2023, according to the Express-News.

It’s unclear how Hearst’s ownership would affect the Statesman workforce. Newsroom employees at the Statesman unionized in 2021, according to the Express-News. The newspaper’s editorial staff dropped from 200 employees in 2013 to 41 in 2023, the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America says.