Member News

Jeff Robischon

Jeff Robischon named Ashland Daily Press general manager

Jeff Robischon, a media industry veteran of more than 20 years, has been named general manager of the Ashland Daily Press.

Robischon fills the role vacated by James Moran, who left in April to lead advertising sales at The Chetek Alert. In addition to the Daily Press, Robischon will oversee the Price County Review in Phillips and the Northwoods Shopper.

A graduate of St. Cloud State University, Robischon's newspaper career started in Minnesota and eventually led him to Oregon. After earning his bachelor's degree in 1996, Robischon began selling advertising for a shopper in St. Cloud before joining the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune in 1998. He worked nine years for the newspaper, including a stint as sales manager. Most recently, Robischon served as student media advisor for Western Oregon University.

Kris Leonhardt, Multi Media Channels

Kris Leonhardt steps down from Portage County Gazette editor role

Kris Leonhardt, senior editor for Multi Media Channels, will no longer serve as editor of the Portage County Gazette.

Leonhardt is stepping aside from the role as she shifts to work on the creation of other MMC products, including Heritage, a central Wisconsin history magazine. She shared the news in a farewell column, thanking readers for their kindness during her time with the paper. 

Taking over the editor role is Taylor Hale, who has served as associate editor and a reporter for the newspaper.

C.L. Sill

C.L. Sill returns to editor position at The Sun

C.L. Sill has returned to the role of editor of The (Osceola) Sun.

Sill, who joined the newspaper in March 2020, had been serving in a marketing position for the Baldwin Bulletin as part of a pandemic-related shift in duties among Sentinel Publications newspapers. 

While Sill shifted to marketing, Jason Schulte and April Ziemer — editors in Baldwin and Amery, respectively — took over news editing and reporting in Osceola. With Sill’s return to Osceola, Schulte and Ziemer will return to their usual roles as well.

pam humpal

Pam Humpal retires after 36 years at Amery Free Press

Pam Humpal has retired after 36 years as advertising manager of the Amery Free Press. A lifelong Amery resident, she joined the newspaper in March 1985.

During her time with the Free Press, Humpal wrote a weekly column, "Pounding the Pavement with Pam" — a tradition established by previous advertising managers.

press times, green bay, mmc

The Press Times moves to downtown Green Bay office

The Press Times has moved to a new office in downtown Green Bay, the newspaper announced last week.

Previously located just west of Green Bay in Howard, the newspaper will now operate out of the top floor of the BMO Harris Bank building at 310 W. Walnut St. The move puts The Press Times in the heart of the city's historic Broadway District, home to many local shops and restaurants.

steve slack, edgerton reporter

Steve Slack leaves sports writing role at Edgerton Reporter

Steve Slack will no longer cover sports for the Edgerton Reporter, as he plans to pursue his law degree. Slack, who began writing for the newspaper in November 2018, will attend UW-Madison Law School in the fall. His last day was Tuesday.

Jeff Brown and Jack McLaughlin will cover sports for the Reporter following Slack’s departure. They have written for the newspaper since December 2018 and July 2015, respectively.

Wisconsin Media Group to acquire Unified Newspaper Group

Wisconsin Media Group, an affiliate company of O’Rourke Media Group, announced on Thursday plans to acquire Unified Newspaper Group. The transaction will close on June 30, 2021.

Unified Newspaper Group is composed of four weekly newspapers and digital websites that serve the communities of Oregon, Verona, Fitchburg, and Stoughton.

darcy zander-feinauer

Brillion News co-owner Darcy Zander-Feinauer retires

Darcy Zander-Feinauer, who co-owns The Brillion News with her sisters, has retired from her full-time position after more than 34 years at the family company.

Zander-Feinauer, who served in a variety of roles during her tenure, was most recently the newspaper's layout editor. She will be succeeded by her daughter, Bailey Lindgren — the company’s first full-time fifth-generation employee, following in the footsteps of her mother, who was the first full-time fourth-generation employee. The Brillion News has been in the Zander family since 1899, when it was purchased by Otto Zander. 

joel patenaude, janesville gazette, milton courier

Joel Patenaude named managing editor of The Gazette

Joel Patenaude has been named managing editor of The (Janesville) Gazette, replacing the recently departed Ann Fiore.

Patenaude has served as a Wisconsin-based correspondent since February for the online publications NetZero Insider and RTO Insider. He previously was associate editor of Madison Magazine.

Fiore departed last month following a career with The Gazette dating back to August 1995. During her tenure, Fiore served in several roles, including entertainment editor, chief copy editor and managing editor.

patrick wood book, mmc, dear reader

MMC publisher Patrick Wood releases new book of columns

Patrick Wood, Multi Media Channels CEO and publisher of its weekly newspapers and other publications, has released a new book, the company announced this week.

The book, “Dear Reader: Meditations, Musings and Moments in Time,” is a compilation of columns Wood has written for MMC newspapers over the last four years. In the book release announcement, it is described as a “beacon” intended to uplift and enlighten readers.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association