Member News

Jim O'Rourke

O’Rourke Media Group buys RiverTown newspapers

The Chicago-based O’Rourke Media Group has purchased RiverTown Multimedia from Forum Communications.

RiverTown publishes two newspapers, the Republican Eagle in Red Wing, Minn., and the (Hudson) Star-Observer. RiverTown previously published eight newspapers — four in Minnesota and four in Wisconsin — before merging several publications in 2019 and closing two newspapers this year in part due to the pandemic. The sale was effective Jan. 1.

Molly Gullickson

Molly Gullickson joins Unified Newspaper Group staff

Molly Gullickson has been named Unified Newspaper Group’s customer relationship coordinator, the group announced Tuesday.

Gullickson will work as a liaison between UNG newspapers and their advertising customers. She takes over the role formerly held by Bryann Bozeman, who is moving to an advertising account executive position.

Hilary Jewell

Hilary Jewell joins Ashland Daily Press sports staff

Hilary Jewell, who previously contributed freelance work for the Ashland Daily Press, has joined the staff as a sports reporter, the newspaper announced Tuesday.

Jewell grew up in White Bear Lake, Minn., before attending UW-Stevens Point, where she played collegiate hockey and was a member of the Pointers’ 2004 national runner-up team. After completing her playing career, Jewell transferred to Northland College in Ashland, where she finished up her bachelor’s degree in outdoor education and also served as an assistant hockey coach.

portage county gazette, stevens point city times

Gazette, City Times move to new Stevens Point office

The Portage County Gazette and Stevens Point City Times have moved their offices to a new location in Stevens Point, the newspapers announced last week.

The Multi Media Channels’ move was spurred by a temporary office closure this spring, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jim Burns

Capital Newspapers names Jim Burns production leader

Jim Burns, a 31-year veteran of the newspaper industry, has been named Capital Newspapers’ production leader, the company announced Saturday.

In the Madison-based role, Burns will serve as a regional production director for Lee Enterprises, which owns half of Capital Newspapers and is the parent company of the Wisconsin State Journal. Burns most recently served as a regional production director for Lee based in the Asheville, N.C., area.

matt velazquez, milwaukee journal sentinel

Sports reporter Matt Velazquez leaves Journal Sentinel

Matt Velazquez, who covered the Milwaukee Bucks for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, is leaving the newspaper after 7 1/2 years. He explained in a farewell column that he is leaving to help his wife fulfill her dream of becoming a physician.

Veteran sportswriter Jim Owczarski will take over for Velazquez on the Bucks beat, the newspaper announced Thursday. Owczarski previously covered the Green Bay Packers beat for the Journal Sentinel.

Maureen Wallenfang

Columnist Maureen Wallenfang leaves The Post-Crescent after nearly two decades

After nearly 19 years of covering consumer business in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent, Maureen Wallenfang has written her final column for the Appleton newspaper.

Wallenfang, who announced her departure last week in a farewell column, wrote “The Buzz,” which ran every Sunday and received more than two million page views per year.

christine spangler

Christine Spangler to end 42-year run at Daily Union

Longtime managing editor Christine Spangler will leave the Daily Jefferson County Union next week, the Fort Atkinson newspaper announced Thursday.

Spangler spent her entire career of more than 42 years at the Daily Union. She is stepping down as regional editor Scott Peterson‘s role is expanded to oversee newsroom operations in both Watertown and Fort Atkinson.

Stephanie Jones

Stephanie Jones named Lake Geneva Regional News managing editor

Stephanie Jones has been named managing editor of the Lake Geneva Regional News, the Wisconn Valley Media Group announced Wednesday.

Jones has served as managing editor of The Journal Times since February 2016. Scott Williams, previous editor of the Regional News, is moving to a reporting role at The Journal Times. Tom Farley, who had served as news editor since July 2000, will succeed Jones as interim managing editor of The Journal Times.

Bill Barth

Bill Barth to leave role as Beloit Daily News editor

After more than 40 years with the newspaper, Bill Barth is leaving his role as editor of the Beloit Daily News next week. The Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Famer has been with the Daily News since 1976 and served as editor since 1994.

Sid Schwartz, longtime editor of The Gazette in Janesville, will now oversee newsrooms in both Janesville and Beloit in his role as regional editor for APG Media of Southern Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association