A word from the writer: A change within the managing editors seat

For months through the pandemic, Frank X. Mullen didnt simply work for the Reno Information & Assessment; he was the Reno Information & Assessment.

In Could 2020, the RN&R revealed seven items on-line. Three of them have been by Frank.

In June 2020, the RN&R revealed 14 items on-line. Eleven of them have been by Frank.

In July 2020, the RN&R revealed 12 items on-line. All of them have been by Frank.

In August 2020, the RN&R revealed 15 items on-line. Fourteen of them have been by Frank.

This continued effectively into 2021, when he lastly received a little assist. And its not like Frank was phoning it in; many of those items have been newsy, in-depth, exhaustively reported items. A few them, from August 2021, on the Stewart Indian Facultys unmarked graves, even gained second place within the investigative reporting class of the Affiliation of Various Newsmedias annual awardsa nationwide journalism contest.

With out Frank X. Mullen, its nearly sure that this newspaper wouldn’t exist proper now.

When my firm acquired the paper in January 2022, Frank advised me that, in some unspecified time in the future, he was going to need to step again from being the editor. He had a ebook to jot down; he wished to get again to Chautauqua; he by no means supposed to be working the RN&R for so long as he had been; etcetera. I advised him I understood, and to only let me know when that point got here.

Then, effectively, he saved working.

With some semblance of a contract funds restored, he began discovering writers to assist rebuild the information part. He labored tirelessly to assist get us again into print, even volunteering to ship papers if wanted. And he saved reportingsuccessful two Affiliation of Various Newsmedia awards for his 2022 work. Oh, and he wrote our first 10 (!) print-edition cowl tales after our return (with a one-month break for Better of Northern Nevada a yr in the past).

In the meantime, he saved mentioning his want to step again. I saved telling him to present me an finish date. He mentioned he would; then he saved working. It received to the purpose the place I started to surprise if he was ever really going to present me an finish date. A number of months in the past, he lastly did: He mentioned hed keep on by the Better of Northern Nevada challenge, and that, as editor, could be that.

Then & he saved workingby no means slowing down, as his just-published story on Truckee Meadows Neighborhood School reveals.

His final official day as editor was yesterday, Sept. 8. He now has the title of editor at giant (however not giant editor, he clarified after I prompt the title). His writing and reporting will stay a distinguished a part of the Reno Information & Assessment, Im elated to say.

When Frank lastly gave me his finish date, and I began pondering who the RN&Rs subsequent managing editor may very well be, one, and just one, identify got here to thoughts. I supplied her the gigand I used to be each elated and relieved she mentioned sure.

On Monday, Kris Vagner will grow to be the RN&Rs managing editor. Shes a former RN&R arts editor, and she or hes the founder and editor of Double Scoop, a nonprofit on-line information group that really is Nevadas go-to supply for visible arts information, commentary and occasions, as the web site says. (Followers of Double Scoop, by no means worry: Weve organized issues so Kris can stay with Double Scoop.)

If you recognize Kris, you recognize shes superb. Her journalism data, integrity and expertise are excellent for the RN&R. She is aware of Northern Nevada impeccably effectively; shes an exquisite author; and she or hes well-versed in each digital publishing and nonprofit information.

However her most vital qualification is one she shares with Frank and me: She loves the Reno Information & Assessment.

Welcome again, Kris. She will be reached at [email protected].

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