The Indiana Publisher

Staff reports Daily Journal (Franklin) There's a new editor in town. Bud Hunt, Daily Journal publisher and vice president of AIM Media Indiana, announced the leadership change this week. James Vaughn, who has served as editor since 2019, has taken another job. News editor Leeann Doerflein, who has been with the paper for two years, took the reins April 4. "We're sorry to lose James and wish him well," Hunt said. "At the same time, we're elated to advance Leeann from her role as news editor to the top position in our newsroom. Leeann has the talent and ambition to lead us forward. She's been our local government reporter, among other duties, and understands our critical role in the communities we serve. I encour- age readers to get to know her if they don't already and share their ideas." Doerflein joined the paper in March 2020 as a local government reporter, and imme- diately became the lead reporter covering the coronavirus pan- demic. She was pro- moted to news editor in December. Her primary responsibilities included social media and making sure the coun- ty's small towns are covered. She also covers Franklin. Doerflein is from Metamora in southeastern Indiana, and lives in Greenwood. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and political sci- ence from the University of Indianapolis, and a master's degree in strategic com- munication from Purdue University. She has worked in many newsrooms across Indiana. "In my time at the Daily Journal I have met so many won- derful people who work every day to make Johnson County a better place to live. Through our report- ing, I hope to reflect that spirit and tell stories that matter," Doerflein said. "It is my hope to build on the work of editors past and bring readers new ways to enjoy our award-winning content. I am hon- ored and humbled to lead a news- paper as reputable as the Daily Journal." Vaughn has taken a marketing and communications position at an Indianapolis nonprofit. He is excited about the new challenge, but sad to go. "It's hard to leave a place that feels like home, but it's time," Vaughn said. "When I was recruit- ed to work at the Daily Journal four years ago, it immediately clicked. The folks I got to work with, the community relationships I built and the stories I was entrust- ed to tell will stay with me long after I leave this newsroom for the last time. Thank you, Johnson County." April 2022 Page 3 Leeann Doerflein takes helm as editor of The Daily Journal "It is my hope to build on the work of editors past and bring readers new ways to enjoy our award-winning content. I am honored and humbled to lead a newspaper as reputable as The Daily Journal." — Leeann Doerflein, editor, The Daily Journal The Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award was created through a grant by the Pulliam Trust to the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation to recognize Indiana journalists for outstanding reporting on environ- mental issues. The award was part of the HSPA Better Newspaper Contest for the first time in 2018. Entries for 2022 are due April 28. For more information on the contest, visit https://bit.ly/3KP1h80. Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust $1,000 Environmental Journalism Award Hoosier State Press Association Foundation Doerflein

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