By LAWRENCE KEECH

Published 12:56 am Saturday, February 22, 2003

By Staff
Pulitzer Prize for Meritorious Public Service
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Our History
In 1949, Publisher Emeritus Ashley B. Futrell, Sr. assumed leadership of The Washington Daily News and soon after became owner of the newspaper.
Forty years before Mr. Futrell, 91, arrived on the scene, the newspaper converted to daily publication. Ashley's son, Brownie Futrell, now manages the newspaper. Although the father-and-son team still works closely together running the newspaper, Mr. Futrell spends most of his time churning-out editorials and columns on a daily basis. Rachel Futrell, bride of the elder Futrell also worked actively in the family business until retiring.
The Washington Daily News is unique in many ways. Not only is it one of the smallest papers in the country to publish every day of the week, it is also one of only a handful of family owned newspapers. The newspaper has a special connection to the community it serves the result of extensive local coverage and a reputation for unbiased reporting.