Herald-Leader editor resigns

Linda Austin, editor of the Lexington Herald-Leader, will leave the paper to take a university position, the Herald-Leader announced today. Here is the email sent to employees by the publisher:

Everyone:

I regret to inform you that our editor, Linda Austin, is leaving to accept a university position, details of which will be announced shortly.

It is an excellent opportunity for Linda in a field in which she has both interest and expertise.

During her two years here, the newsroom has made great strides online, launching three Web sites – LexGo.com, bluegrassmoms.com and kentuckysports.com – as well as an enhanced channel for high school sports and numerous community blogs. Its multimedia project, "A New Dawn? A Kentucky Mother's Struggle through Drug Court," was picked as the best in the world in the Pictures of the Year International competition last year.

In addition, under Linda’s direction, the newsroom over the past few months has produced some of its finest watchdog journalism in years. I am disappointed that she is leaving, especially at this time, but I thank her for her contributions and wish her nothing but the best, as I trust you will.

The search for her successor begins immediately. In the interim, Peter Baniak, the deputy managing editor, will be in charge of the newsroom.

T.M.K.

See the paper's announcement here. Hat tip: email
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