Andrea Hansen Abler, editor of the Campbellsport News and Kewaskum Statesman, announced last week that she was leaving the two eastern Wisconsin newspapers. Her last day was Friday, Oct. 8. She had been with the Campbellsport paper for more than 17 years and with the Statesman for the last six years. Both newspapers are published by Multi Media Channels.

In a farewell column to readers, Abler noted she would continue to help the newspapers on a part-time basis until her replacement has been found. She also recalled the most memorable events she had covered during her tenure with the newspapers and encouraged readers to be patient and help however they can during the transition period following her departure.

Mitchell Keller has been named editor of the Dodge County Pionier. He fills the role vacated by Karen Rouse, who remains with the Pionier as a contributor. He also will continue to serve as sports editor for the newspaper.

Keller graduated in 2012 from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in journalism and film. He went on to serve as a programming intern for the Milwaukee Film Festival, a production intern for NFL Films, director of media and communications for the Melbourne Aces, a professional baseball team in the Australian Baseball League, and a correspondent for Major League Baseball. He has been a member of the Pionier news staff since October 2018 and previously worked in sales for its sister papers, the Campbellsport News and Kewaskum Statesman. 

Jim Babbitt, a retired prosecutor and former Barron County judge, has joined The Chetek Alert as contributing editor. He fills the role vacated by Carl Cooley, who is now news director for the WJMC, WKFX and WAQE radio stations in Rice Lake. 

As contributing editor, Babbitt will write weekly feature stories for The Alert. A 1977 UW-Milwaukee graduate, Babbitt studied mass communication and wrote for the UWM Post student newspaper during his undergraduate years. He went on to earn his law degree from UW-Madison in 1979.