On April 29, 1916, the first edition of the Ajo Copper News was published by Renwick White.[2] White published the paper for 31 years. In 1947, he sold the News to L.T. "Ted" Beggs.[3] In 1951, Beggs went missing and was found a week later in the desert after committing suicide.[4] His widow Jeri Beggs Davis then took over the paper.[5]
In 1954, George Wayne Gable bought an interest.[5] He then succeeded Davis as publisher and his son Barry W. Gable became editor.[6] In 1958, George Gable died from a sudden heart attack.[5] Barry Gable took over the paper and a few years later become one of the first people in the country to successfully receive a kidney transplantation.[7][8]
In 1968, Richard F. Davis acquired the paper. He died in 1983.[9] His widow Ann Hollister David died a decade later.[10] As of 2026, their daughter Gabrielle David and son Hollister J. “Hop” David continue to operate the paper.[11]