Don’t all of us love nice issues? I do know I positive do. However there’s that acquainted cliche everyone knows that claims “all good issues should come to an finish.” Effectively, of us, that is that point.
After 2.5 years — 1.75 of that as managing editor — I might be departing The Covington Information. My final day was Friday, so by the point you’re studying this, I’ll have already exited the constructing. I’m leaving for an additional media alternative that’s “nearer to house.”
I put “nearer to house” in citation marks as a result of I’ve realized so much within the final 2.5 years about what house actually is. However extra on that later.
Earlier than I get the tears flowing and the tissues going, I wish to play the function of rumor killer for a second. Inevitably, I do know some individuals are going to be bizarre on the web about this. That’s kind of how these items go. So enable me to dispel among the probably speaking factors concerning my exit.
No, I wasn’t fired. No, I wasn’t pressured out. And, no, I’m not leaving due to the current sale of the paper; in truth, I consider that Instances Journal Media Group has the perfect intentions in thoughts for the long-term way forward for the paper. This was 100% my alternative and my alternative alone.
OK, now that that’s out of the way in which, let’s get into what issues, and that’s correctly saying goodbye.
After I first joined The Information in November 2023, I used to be a comparatively fresh-out-of-college 22 12 months outdated with brilliant eyes about this huge alternative because the information editor. I had spent six months as an intern with my hometown paper, and I believed I had an excellent grip on what to anticipate for a full-time function.
Effectively, I used to be confirmed method fallacious. I lined a high-profile county ousting, a enterprise fireplace and a pivotal metropolis election… in week one. However because the weeks and months went on, I bought to additionally see the great facet of Newton County. Folks like Madison Harris, the younger girl who held her first coat drive in December 2023, instantly stick in my thoughts. Somebody like Haley Ellis fulfilling her childhood dream in her hometown with Worthy Clothes Co. is one other.
I started to formulate constructive relationships inside the neighborhood, and I bought to see why Newton County actually is a particular place. I used to be fairly contempt with constructing my credibility as information editor and constructing it for one thing sooner or later. After which… the managing editor job got here open.
Instantly, this was one thing that intrigued me. I do know I may do extra if given the chance. However as a now 23-year-old with lower than a 12 months of full-time expertise, I believed the playing cards have been stacked towards me.
In some way by God’s grace, Patrick Graham (former proprietor and present writer) noticed sufficient in me that I may take The Covington Information to the following degree, one thing that I’m very appreciative of and can by no means take as a right. So on Sept. 18, 2024, I used to be formally promoted.
From barely graduating school and having no course to changing into the managing editor of the most effective papers within the state, it was a real whirlwind of feelings. It was little doubt one of many happiest days of my life.
I knew that there was work to be completed, nevertheless. There was some strain to “clear up the mess” my predecessor earlier than me made. It took a while, however I consider that 2025 and the primary half of 2026 is among the greatest newspaper content material this paper has ever produced. I’ve little doubt that I might be leaving this paper higher than I initially discovered it practically three years in the past.
However I didn’t do that alone. In reality, there have been two important those who have been the true MVPs of the operation.
Kate Verity, the previous information editor of The Covington Information and present managing editor of The Oconee Enterprise, is certainly one of them. Kate was my best choice to switch me as information editor as quickly as I used to be promoted. I used to be tremendous thrilled to have her on board as a result of I knew how good she was and good she may very well be.
She’s detail-oriented, concise and infrequently served as a voice of cause for my wacky concepts. When she was moved to The Enterprise earlier this 12 months, I used to be crushed — for each me and the paper. However I additionally knew that she was going to completely kill it in Oconee, and that’s what she’s at the moment doing.
The opposite is Garrett Pitts. There’s no person I do know that’s as educated on Newton County sports activities wherever. I’m usually mistaken because the “sports activities man” on Twitter, however he’s the true brains behind the sports activities operation.
CovNews Sports activities isn’t what it’s with out Garrett, and I’m grateful he allowed me to play an element in serving to it develop. I’ve little doubt he’s going to excel each because the sports activities editor of The Information and no matter different endeavors he chooses to pursue down the highway.
To Patrick, Kate and Garrett, thanks.
I additionally want to give a shout out to Cynthia Blackshear, Lee Ann Avery and Judy Shropshire. You might even see these three names on the workers listing every week, however not a lot within the precise written manufacturing of the paper. That’s as a result of they’re the true brains of the paper.
With out them, this paper doesn’t exist. All of them work exhausting and are captivated with this paper and this neighborhood. In addition they allowed this Gen Zer to stroll within the constructing with open arms after they each proper needed to be skeptical on if this “child” may truly cling.
I’ll all the time recognize the steering, knowledge and enjoyable conversations we had. Thanks.
There’s additionally one other group of those who have made this journey doable, and that’s our freelancers. Lots of them are school college students or contemporary out of school which are on the lookout for a chance like I used to be a number of years in the past. It fills me with pleasure to award folks with alternatives and switch it into one thing constructive.
Instance No. 1 is Guinevere Grant. Guinevere was our major Board of Schooling author, and got here in with all the instruments that simply wanted to be put collectively. She’s now an intern with Bloomberg in New York and is on her solution to changing into a star journalist on this trade.
One other instance is somebody like Alainah Jackson, who had zero print journalism expertise a 12 months in the past. I discovered her from the Prime 10 announcement and noticed she was inquisitive about journalism. She’s taken this chance and now landed a spot as a student-journalist with The Crimson White.
There are a lot of different success tales that I may spend all day speaking about, however I do know I’m working out of house. When you have been one of many many freelancers who helped out over time, thanks.
And lastly, I wish to thank YOU. That’s proper, you, the great folks of Newton County.
After I began this journey in November 2023, I needed to be taught extra in regards to the place I’ve visited my total life. Newton County is not a visitation spot, it’s a second house.
The entire relationships I’ve established with politicians, native leaders, athletic leaders, student-athletes, and naturally my beloved Rotarians with the Rotary Membership of Covington have made me a greater journalist and a greater man. These bonds will final exterior of the 272 sq. miles of Newton County.
And among the many good folks of Newton County is you, the readers. Thanks for permitting me an area to report on the great, the unhealthy, the ugly and all the pieces in between. Thanks for additionally being gracious and exhibiting empathy at any time when I made a mistake (and consider me, there have been a number of). Even in my absence, please proceed supporting The Covington Information. This county is best with this paper in it.
To the following editor that can take my place, pay attention to what I’m writing right here at the moment. Be honest to the neighborhood. Be type to the neighborhood. And immerse your self with how particular Newton County actually is.
This chapter of the Pocket book could also be closed, however the story lives on. I hope you’ll be a part of me for the numerous chapters which are ready to be written.
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Evan Newton was the managing editor of The Covington Information. He might be reached at [email protected] and on Fb @ Evan Newton.
