Member News

Bob Heisse, who has served as executive editor of the River Valley Media Group for the past 2 1/2 years, is retiring after 44 years in journalism. He is being succeeded by Todd Krysiak, whose first day in the role was March 1.

Heisse joined the news group, which is owned by Lee Enterprises, in 2020. During his tenture, he oversaw newsrooms at the La Crosse Tribune, The Chippewa Herald and Winona (Minn.) Daily News. For the last two years, Heisse served as executive editor of the Kenosha News. 

Todd Krysiak, a longtime journalist with 24 years of newsroom experience, has been named executive editor of River Valley Media Group. His first day in the new role was March 1. He succeeds Bob Heisse, who is retiring after 44 years in journalism.

Krysiak earned his degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University, where he wrote for the student newspaper, Northern Star. He joined Lee Enterprises in 2006 as a staff reporter for the Portage Daily Register before assuming the role as editor at The (Sauk City) Star News, the Baraboo News Republic and the (Reedsburg) Times Press.

Kiran Saini, who previously worked as the audience development manager for the Detroit Free Press, has joined Wisconsin Watch as the newsroom's first audience director.

In her new role, funded by the American Journalism Project, Saini will work across Wisconsin Watch's website, social media, newsletters and other news products to connect with an expanded and more diverse audience.

Andrew Ringgold, owner of Aringo Photos, has been named sports editor of the (Prairie du Chien) Courier Press, the newspaper announced.

A native of Philadelphia, Ringgold received a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to his service in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, Ringgold has held senior manager positions at various organizations.

Scott De Laruelle, who has worked for Unified Newspaper Group as a reporter and opinion editor since 2013, has been promoted to managing editor. De Laruelle succeeds Tara Jones.

The news group also announced the hiring of reporter Maddie Bergstrom, who earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and psychology from UW-Madison in December 2022. She will cover government and community news for The Verona Press.

Ross Pattermann, of Hayward, has joined the Thorp Courier as a news, sports and feature writer. An Orlando native, Pattermann began his journalism career writing for his high school newspaper and, later, for The Daily Cardinal while attending UW-Madison, where he earned his bachelor's degree in history.

Prior to joining the Courier, he worked as a sports reports for the Sawyer County Gazette and TP Printing Co., which publishes the (Abbotsford) Tribune Phonograph, The (Edgar) Record Review and the (Loyal) Tribune Record Gleaner.

Longtime Southern Lakes Newspapers editor-in-chief Ed Nadolski has retired after 23 years with the company, the news group reports. His last day was Jan. 27. During his tenure, Nadolski oversaw news content in Racine, Kenosha, Walworth and Waukesha counties.

He is succeeded by Tracy Ouellette, who has worked for the company since 2006. Most recently, she served as community and special sections editor.

Longtime sales manager Jade Lewandowski has been named director of sales for the Minnesota-Wisconsin O'Rourke Media Group, the company has announced. Lewandowski, who earned her bachelor's degree in communications and business administration from Illinois State University, has spent the last 19 years working as a sales executive and manager. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree.

In addition to Lewandowski, O’Rourke has hired Jacob Langer, of Ellsworth, as an account executive.