1 EXHIBIT 2.5 AMENDMENT, dated January 14, 1998 to the ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated November 21, 1997, by and among Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Green Equity Investors II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Liberty...

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.5


                                    AMENDMENT, dated January 14, 1998 to the
                           ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated November 21, 1997, by
                           and among Liberty Group Publishing, Inc., a Delaware
                           corporation, Green Equity Investors II, L.P., a
                           Delaware limited partnership, Liberty Group
                           Operating, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Xxxxxxxxx
                           International Inc., a Delaware corporation, APAC-90
                           Inc., a Delaware corporation, American Publishing
                           (1991) Inc., a Delaware corporation and APAC-95
                           Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Asset Purchase
                           Agreement").



                  WHEREAS, the parties to the Asset Purchase Agreement desire to
correct a mutual mistake made in Exhibit A of the Asset Purchase Agreement.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

                  The undersigned, being all the parties to the Asset Purchase
Agreement, hereby amend the Asset Purchase Agreement by replacing in its
entirety Exhibit A and substituting the attached Amended Exhibit A.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this
Amendment as of the date first above written.


                                       LIBERTY GROUP PUBLISHING, INC.,

                                         by /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Name:  Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                           Title: Secretary


                                       GREEN EQUITY INVESTORS II, L.P.,

                                         by /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Annick
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Name:  Xxxxxxx X. Annick
                                           Title: Vice President


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                                       LIBERTY GROUP OPERATING, INC.,

                                         by /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Name:  Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                           Title: Secretary


                                       XXXXXXXXX INTERNATIONAL INC.,

                                         by /s/ X. X. Xxxxxxxx
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Name:  X. X. Xxxxxxxx
                                           Title: Executive Vice
                                                  President and
                                                  Chief Financial
                                                  Officer


                                       APAC-90 INC.,

                                         by /s/ X. X. Xxxxxxxx
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Name:  X. X. Xxxxxxxx
                                           Title: Vice President


                                       AMERICAN PUBLISHING (1991) INC.,

                                         by /s/ X. X. Xxxxxxxx
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Name:  X. X. Xxxxxxxx
                                           Title: Vice President


                                       APAC-95 INC.,

                                         by /s/ X. X. Xxxxxxxx
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Name:  X. X. Xxxxxxxx
                                           Title: Vice President