The Indiana Publisher

Page 2 November 2020 Staff reports The Star Press (Muncie) A veteran Texas journalist is returning to her roots in Indiana to lead three USA Today Network news- papers. Deanna Watson, who has spent three decades at the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas, includ- ing the last 13 years as editor, will lead the news operations at the Lafayette Journal & Courier, The Star Press in Muncie and The Palladium-Item in Richmond. "We're excited to have Deanna join the Indiana team. Her experience shows that she will bring a focus on enterprise journalism to our newsrooms and help con- tinue our transformation into strong digital news outlets," said Alan Achkar, the South Bend Tribune's executive editor who also oversees the USA Today Network's north- ern Indiana newspapers. "She's going to help remind readers why their local newspapers are vital, and she's committed to lis- tening to our readers' views and concerns." Watson Watson to lead The Star Press, Palladium-Item Jim Chapman The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne) The Journal Gazette is seeing changes in November. Julie Inskeep announced she will retire Dec. 1 after nearly 24 years as publisher. Inskeep has worked at the news- paper for 37 years and will remain president of The Journal Gazette Co. and con- tinue serving on the newspa- per's editorial board. Editor Sherry Skufca will become publisher and Managing Editor Jim Touvell will become editor. Skufca has worked at the newspaper 31 years – the last five as edi- tor. Touvell has worked at the newspaper 28 years – the last five as managing editor. Lisa Green will become managing editor. Green has worked at the newspaper 20 years and has been assistant managing editor/ local news since 2013. Inskeep said she has the "utmost confidence in the ability of our staff to move us forward." "Sherry and Jim and Lisa are tenacious advocates of the public's right to know regarding governmental affairs and issues important to our community," Inskeep said. "They lead the larg- est news team in northeast Indiana, and I have great confidence in their ability to provide the factual quality journalism that is required." Skufca said the newspa- per will remain committed to providing a forum for the exchange of local ideas from all perspectives. "I am excited about the new roles Lisa, Jim and I will be assuming in this legacy operation and grateful that Julie will still be involved," Skufca said. "As we go forward, we will undoubt- edly make changes to capitalize on new oppor- tunities and to address changing economic and demographic realities. But the vision and voice of the newspaper – and the commit- ment to our mission statement to be an aggressive, respon- sible news organization that advocates for the public – will remain steadfast." Skufca Touvell Inskeep retiring from Journal Gazette; Skufca named publisher, Touvell editor Inskeep Looking for an employee? Post your open positions at www.hspa.com/jobs/post-a-job/ or email info to sgoldsby@hspa.com. Your job listing will appear online and in the Indiana Publisher job listing.

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