Bunk is named as publisher
Matt Bunk Mug
The Western News
Matthew Bunk, who previously was a reporter at The Western News, will return as its publisher, taking over for Barb Swenson who is retiring.
Bunk’s first day on the job is Oct. 22.
“I couldn’t be happier about the opportunity to return to Libby,” Bunk said.
“The Western News has a long, distinguished history of serving readers and advertisers in Lincoln County, and I am proud to lead such a talented staff into the next chapter of the newspaper’s success.”
Bunk has more than 13 years of experience as a professional journalist and has won dozens of state and regional journalism awards.
His career includes seven years of newsroom management and five years of directing online news and multimedia projects. He also led marketing efforts as vice president of a magazine publishing company. Prior to joining The Western News, he was as publisher of the Great Plains Examiner in Bismarck, N.D.
He also served as managing editor of the Arizona Capitol Times in Phoenix, Ariz.; political editor at the East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Ariz.; and business reporter for the Alameda Newspaper Group in Oakland, Calif. He also appeared as a political analyst on ABC News, C-Span and National Public Radio.
In his early years as a journalist, he was a general assignment reporter at The Western News and The Daily Inter Lake.
Daily Inter Lake Publisher Rick Weaver was involved in the selection process.
“I am very pleased that Matt Bunk will be joining the staff of The Western News as publisher,” Weaver said.
“Matt has a wealth of experience including a short stint at The Western News early in his career. He is excited to return to Libby, and we couldn’t be happier than to give him that opportunity.”