Paul Brannon was a journalist to the core. He became publisher of the Carlisle Mercury in 1944, purchased the Kentuckian-Citizen in 1946, and founded the Nicholas County Star in 1947. Known for his strong opinions and fiery editorials, he felt that the mission of the small town newspaper was to “stand for the people against harm.” He once said, “Like all Irishmen, I have a long memory for my own wrongs,” and he forcefully engaged in the issues of the day through his editorials. Paul Brannon died in 1965 at age 70, leaving the paper in the hands of his two sons, Larry and Jim.

Larry Brannon earned a degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky. He joined his father and his brother, Jim, at the Citizen after he returned from military service in World War II. There he met Genevieve Sullivan who began working at the paper in 1943. She was hired to answer the phones but within two days, she was learning all kinds of jobs associated with publishing a newspaper. She and Larry married in 1949 and spent their entire married life in the newspaper business. Larry Brannon died in 1991, leaving the operation of the newspaper to Genevieve Brannon and three of their children, Rebecca Lawyer, Jimmy Brannon and BeBe Brannon.