Member News

quinten pfeiffer

Quinten Pfeiffer named Tri-County Press editor

Quinten Pfeiffer has been named editor of the Tri-County Press. He succeeds Elyssa Vondra, who is leaving the Press to pursue her doctorate degree. 

A northwestern Illinois native, Pfeiffer graduated from East Dubuque High School in 2015 and earned his journalism degree from the University of Iowa in 2019. While in college, he worked for both The Daily Iowan student newspaper and the Iowa Journalist magazine.

reagan hoverman

Reagan Hoverman joins Inter-County Leader staff

Reagan Hoverman has joined the reporting staff of the Inter-County Leader, where he will cover sports and general assignment news. He also will oversee the newspaper’s podcast, which highlights local news and sports.

A native of St. Croix Falls, Hoverman earned his journalism degree from UW-River Falls in spring 2020. During college, he worked at the student radio station, WRFW-FM, and the Student Voice newspaper.

Sarah Knieff

Republican Eagle adds reporter Sarah Knieff to newsroom

Sarah Knieff is the newest member of the (Red Wing, Minn.) Republican Eagle news staff, the newspaper announced Thursday.

Knieff will cover several beats for the newspaper, including area school boards and the Goodhue County Board. A 2020 graduate, Knieff earned her journalism degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. While in school, she worked for The Bark student news organization and did freelance work for several publications.

sheboygan sun

Sheboygan Sun recognized in 10 News Publishers That Do It Right

Editor & Publisher named the Sheboygan Sun among its honorable mention recipients of this year’s edition of 10 News Publishers That Do It Right.

The Sun, which is part of the O’Rourke Media Group, was recognized for its recent digital success and launch of a new website. E&P attributed the Sun's success to the content mix on its website, engagement with readers and its focus on boosting social media followers.

O’Rourke Media Group bought the Sun in June 2020. It also owns the Ripon Commonwealth Press, (Kiel) Tri-County News, (Hudson) Star-Observer and the (Red Wing, Minn.) Republican Eagle.

caleb anderson

Caleb Anderson named VP of sales for O’Rourke group

O’Rourke Media Group has named Caleb Anderson vice president of sales for Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The group owns several Wisconsin newspapers, including the Ripon Commonwealth Press and the recently acquired (Hudson) Star-Observer and (Ellsworth/Red Wing, Minn.) Republican Eagle.

A Wisconsin native, Anderson most recently worked two years as a La Crosse-based regional sales manager for Lee Enterprises. 

Rich Jackson

‘Homeless Editor’ Rich Jackson named GM of Spooner Advocate, Sawyer County Record

Rich Jackson, who in May earned national attention as "The Homeless Editor," has been named editor and general manager of the Spooner Advocate and the (Hayward) Sawyer County Record.

A Wisconsin native and longtime newspaper veteran, Jackson grew up in Chippewa Falls and earned his journalism degree from UW-Eau Claire. While in college, he worked for The Spectator student newspaper and interned for the Leader-Telegram. He started his professional career in the 1990s with stints at the (Beaver Dam) Daily Citizen, (Wisconsin Rapids) Daily Tribune and the Wausau Daily Herald

Jackson succeeds Paul Mitchell, who held the same roles with the Advocate and Record before retiring late last year.

Richard Moore

Lakeland Times reporter Richard Moore publishes book on government transparency

Richard Moore, an award-winning investigative reporter for The Lakeland Times, has published a book on transparency in Wisconsin’s state government.

The book, “Dark State: How Citizens Can Open the Doors to Wisconsin’s Closed Government,” was released Feb. 2 and is available on Amazon or through Moore’s website. Moore’s announcement describes the book as an urgent call to action to combat what he says is a “dangerous turn toward secrecy and censorship in Wisconsin state government.”

Edgerton publisher highlights importance of letters to the editor

Edgerton Reporter publisher Diane Everson recently took a moment to highlight the importance of letters to the editor within a community. 

One of the most widely read sections of the newspaper, Everson notes the Reporter has been publishing letters from its readers since 1874. Everson's editorial offered helpful suggestions to readers about what makes a good letter and recognized the 55 individuals who submitted letters during 2020.

newspapers, digitization

Tri-County News, Augusta Area Times to merge

After sharing pages since the mid-1980s, the (Osseo) Tri-County News and Augusta Area Times will merge this week into one publication, the newspapers announced.

Beginning Thursday, Feb. 4, the new publication will be known as the Tri-County Area Times. Sean Scallon, editor and reporter for both the News and Times, will continue to hold both roles with the merged publication.

kathy potter, banner journal

News Publishing Co. general manager Kathy Potter retires

After 43 years in the industry, Kathy Potter is retiring from her role as general manager for several News Publishing Company weekly newspapers and shoppers, the company announced Wednesday.

A Black River Falls native, Potter got her start in the late 1970s selling ads for the Jackson County Shopper. In 1985, she left to start her own publication, The Shopper’s Choice.

She sold the shopper in 1989 to News Publishing Company, where she went on to oversee day-to-day operations of three weekly newspapers and a group of shoppers as general manager. Potter remained in the role until her retirement this week. Succeeding her as general manager will be Julie Iverson.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association