SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — The McLeansboro Times-Leader and Mt. Vernon Register-News newspapers are shutting down. Twelve employees are affected.

According to a story on the Times-Leader website, the papers owner – CNHI, LLC – announced Tuesday both papers are closing because they could not overcome local economic challenges.

The Times-Leader will publish for the last time Thursday. The Register-News printed its last edition Tuesday. Both newspaper websites will also be taken down.

The Hamilton County Now magazine will also go away. Subscribers to the papers who have pre-paid beyond the final

editions will get refunds.

Officials say they tried every way to keep the papers viable, but it eventually came down to the last, reluctant option of ceasing

publication.