Member News

After leading the Wisconsin State Journal newsroom for nearly 12 years, editor John Smalley will step down from the role later this month, the newspaper announced Thursday.

As an Evansville native who grew up reading the State Journal, Smalley described the editor role as his “dream job.” Each year, he marked his anniversary date by wearing a tuxedo to the newsroom. His last day at the newspaper will be Aug. 21.

Unified Newspaper Group on Monday announced several changes in its leadership positions, including the retirement of regional publisher Lee Borkowski. Borkowski is retiring after more than a decade as general manager. Longtime group editor Jim Ferolie has been named to fill her role overseeing UNG’s four Madison-area community newspapers.

With Ferolie’s promotion, reporter Kimberly Wethal has been named news editor for the group. Emilie Heidemann, who joined UNG in November 2018 as a community reporter, will serve as the community and business editor. Mark Nesbitt has been named sports editor, moving up from his assistant sports editor role as Adam Feiner steps down.

The (Rice Lake) Chronotype last month announced three new additions to its newspaper staff — two in sales and one in the sports department.

Deb Fosberg-Wheeler, who previously worked in the Spooner Advocate advertising department, will serve as an advertising sales specialist. Jill Johnston, a Minnesota native who graduated from UW-Stout in 2014, will work as a regional sales and promotions specialist for parent company Adams Publishing Group. And Travis Nyhus will serve as a general reporter and sports editor, coming to The Chronotype after stints at The Chippewa Herald and the (Menomonie) Dunn County News.

Nearly four decades after she started at the newspaper, Antigo Daily Journal editor Lisa Haefs announced her retirement Friday.

Haefs started at the Daily Journal in October 1983 as a general assignment reporter and society editor. She also covered the Antigo school board and city council.

Just over a month shy of his 20-year anniversary with the newspaper, editor Ian Stepleton announced last week that he was leaving the Ripon Commonwealth Press.

Stepleton joined the newspaper in 2000 as a reporter, moving up to managing editor in 2003. He took over as the Commonwealth‘s top editor in 2006 and has remained in the role ever since.

Jonathan Bailey, a reporter for the newspaper since 2011, will take over Stepleton’s role as editor.

Richard Lee has been named general manager of Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association.

Lee takes over for retiring general manager Doug Panek. As part of his role, Lee will oversee publishing of the (Frederic) Inter-County Leader and the (Shell Lake) Washburn County Register. A UW-Stout graduate, Lee has a strong ties to Frederic.

After more than four decades as sports editor of The (Rice Lake) Chronotype, Dave Greschner has announced his retirement. His final issue will be July 15.

Tammy Stesenski, who in 1993 founded the City Pages alt-weekly in Wausau, is stepping away from the newspaper several months earlier than planned, she announced last week in a column.

Vanessa Swales, a former New York Times reporting fellow, has joined Wisconsin Watch as an investigative reporter, the non-profit newsroom announced Wednesday.

Four decades after joining the Wisconsin State Journal newsroom, longtime sports columnist Tom Oates has announced his retirement.