 Allegations of lackluster and biased reporting by Paxton Media Group's holdings became news, again, with the dismissal of charges against the suspects in the Duke lacrosse rape case, when it became clear that "The Herald-Sun" editorial policy would not permit the paper to publish criticism of Durham district attorney Mike Nifong, despite the fact that Nifong was facing ethics charges by the North Carolina State Bar and demands by the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys that Nifong remove himself from the case.In December 2016, Paxton Media sold "The Herald-Sun" to The McClatchy Company, owner of a competitor newspaper, "The News & Observer" of Raleigh, North Carolina.In September 2007, Paxton purchased the "Herald-Argus" of La Porte, Indiana amidst rumors that the paper would either be moved, merged, or have its staff severely cut, due to the recent acquisition of a number of rural newspapers in northern Indiana.