Note to our readers: Leadership change at The Western News

Veteran journalist John McLaughlin is taking the helm at The Western News this week with the departure of editor Derrick Perkins for the Daily Inter Lake.

McLaughlin comes to Libby from the Inter Lake, where he covered the government and environment beats. Prior to that, McLaughlin worked as a staff writer at various community dailies for about a decade.

His career has taken him to Arkansas, Missouri, South Dakota and Alaska. He has primarily covered municipal, county and state governments.

McLaughlin will serve as interim editor for The Western News for several months. A search for a permanent editor is ongoing.

“My stay in Libby will be short, but I will be making the most of my time in the community,” McLaughlin said. “Serving as interim editor offers me a unique opportunity to gain critical insight in producing essential coverage of local news and issues not only for The Western News, but also for local readers of the Inter Lake when I eventually transition back into my daily reporting duties in Kalispell.”

Suzanne Resch, general manager of The Western News, said she looked forward to seeing McLaughlin pick up where Perkins left off.

“We are excited to welcome John as our interim editor,” she said. “Lincoln County is an engaged and bustling community, one that both demands and deserves top notch journalism.”

As for Perkins, she described his departure as bittersweet. After roughly two and a half years overseeing the editorial operation of The Western News and covering a wide variety of stories in Lincoln County, Perkins was named news editor of the Inter Lake.

“Under Derrick’s stewardship, The Western News saw a marked increase in readership and community engagement,” she said. “He put his readers first, showing a deep commitment to local news and accountability journalism. We will miss him, but are glad he is just a phone call away in Kalispell.”

The Western News and Daily Inter Lake are sister papers in the Hagadone Corporation.

Perkins said he had nothing but thanks to give to his readers and the people of Lincoln County, describing it as a vibrant and welcoming community. Prior to arriving in Libby, Perkins worked in New England, Virginia and Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“Covering Lincoln County has been a longtime community journalist’s dream,” he said. “In this day and age, it is rare to see people gobble up the local newspaper when it hits the stands, debate the articles in public and tote them to government meetings. Beyond that, I will miss dearly the friendly and affable nature of the people who live here. Never have I been so warmly welcomed into a community.”

Going forward, McLaughlin can be reached at jmclaughlin@dailyinterlake.com.