Founded in 1886, The Leader (formerly The Covington Leader) is one of Tipton County's oldest businesses.
The first edition of the newspaper was printed on Oct. 15, 1886, in a building on the east side of the square in downtown Covington, Tenn. on East Liberty Street.
In 2015, the newspaper sold its location on Hwy. 51 South, where it published newspapers for 45 years, and moved back to downtown Covington, setting up shop at 111 and 113 S. Munford Street, where it continues to run the newspaper and print shop, Leader Printing.
In June 2017, Rochelle Stidham succeeded Brian Blackley as publisher, becoming the first woman to ever hold the position.
In April 2019, Magic Valley Publishing acquired The Leader as well as several other papers in West Tennessee. Matthew Richardson became publisher in May 2019.
Help provide for local animal rescues
Through the pet calendar contest, The Leader will be raising funds for three local animal rescue groups: Covington Animal Rescue Effort, Tipton County Paws and Claws and the Friends of the Tipton County Animal Shelter.
CARE is made up of a group of volunteers in and around Covington, Tenn. who are taking time out of our busy lives to make a difference to some needy animals. It all began in March 2009 when organizers discovered a municipal pound in desperate need of volunteer help. This pound could not facilitate adopting dogs to the public because of lack of manpower, and because of liability issues surrounding its location. Dogs within city limits are picked up, taken to this pound, and if are not claimed, are "put down." These dogs have had no opportunity to find a permanent, loving family. Volunteers started going back week after week, and seeing wonderful, adoptable dogs that were dying because no one was stepping in to help. The group has been allowed to rescue the dogs and place them in loving foster homes.
CARE 501(c)3 certified. The organization's mission is to rescue dogs from the Covington pound, provide quality medical care and neuter/spay through the help of fundraising, and to find these animals the wonderful homes they deserve.
More than 800 dogs have been rescued since the organization was founded.
Tipton County Paws and Claws is a growing group of volunteers dedicated to improving conditions at the Tipton County Animal Shelter in Brighton, Tenn.
The group began using social media to network available dogs and cats in 2011 and has drastically reduced the euthanasia rates at the shelter from 991 dogs in 2011 to 61 in 2016. No healthy, adoptable dog was euthanized in 2016.
Tipton County Paws and Claws has rescued more than 6,800 dogs and nearly 3,500 cats in its first five years.
Friends of the Tipton County Animal Shelter a non-profit which solely supports the animal of Tipton County, specifically the shelter. The group began to fundraise to help injured pets and medical needs and its volunteers also help transport these animals to the vet.
With a following of more than 2,000 people on Facebook, FOTCAS also promotes positive public relations of the shelter and education of proper animal caretaking.