FARGO, N.D. — Forum Communications said it has agreed to buy the Rochester Post-Bulletin.

Forum, a Fargo, North Dakota-based news company with media holdings across the Upper Midwest, it expected to close the deal with Small Newspaper Group in the second quarter. Terms were not announced.

The Post-Bulletin is the largest news provider in southeast Minnesota, covering nine counties and listing an average daily readership of more than 70,000. Its sale will cut a tie with the Kankakee, Illinois-based Small group that dates to 1977.

Post Bulletin President Len R. Small told the employees the new owners were “worthy custodians” of the company.