The Baltimore Sun, the largest newspaper in Maryland, has been acquired in a private deal by David D. Smith, executive chairman of Hunt Valley-based television station owner Sinclair Inc.

Smith said Monday that he acquired Baltimore Sun Media on Friday from investment firm Alden Global Capital, marking the first time in nearly four decades that The Sun will be in the hands of a local owner. …

Smith said he will be joined in the newspaper venture by one partner, with an undisclosed share of ownership: Armstrong Williams, a well-known conservative political commentator who hosts a nationally syndicated television show on Sinclair network affiliates.

[This sounds exciting. It’s the first major newspaper purchase by a conservative owner that I can recall for a very long time. Smith says he wants to focus on local news and fact-based reporting as a model for profitability, almost exactly the opposite approach Jeff Bezos took with the Washington Post. It will be very much worth watching, especially for Williams’ contribution. By the way, Smith bought this with his personal money, so it won’t be part of Sinclair. — Ed]