Latest news with #CarolHunter
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rachel Stassen-Berger is returning to the Des Moines Register as new executive editor
A familiar face is returning to the Des Moines Register to lead its newsroom. Rachel E. Stassen-Berger, who served in senior editing roles at the Register from 2018 to 2022, will become its executive editor June 2, Gannett Co., the Register's owner, announced May 6. 'Our job is not just to report on the community, but to reflect and engage them,' Stassen-Berger told staffers after being introduced to applause. Gannett news executives Michael Anastasi and Ray Rivera announced the hiring to staff at a meeting at the Register's downtown office. Stassen-Berger shared outlines of some of her priorities as editor, including building a culture of innovation in storytelling and community connections. 'Every day you have to challenge yourself to do something better, to do something different,' she said. Her new role comes after she served as executive editor of the Omaha World-Herald. Des Moines' position opened in January when Carol Hunter retired after 20 years with the Register, the final eight as executive editor. Stassen-Berger was the Register's political editor and then news director during her earlier stint, a period that was packed with news beginning on her very first day: While colleagues brought Stassen-Berger up to speed on publishing software, a top state legislative leader was resigning hours after a scandal emerged. Stassen-Berger led coverage of the 2020 Iowa Caucuses for both major parties and the year-plus campaign leading up to them, pivoting weeks later to guide the newsroom's coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rachel Stassen-Berger, then the Register's politics editor, introduces a speaker at the newspaper's Iowa State Fair Political Soapbox in 2019. Stassen-Berger was named executive editor of the Register on May 6, 2025. Among the notable journalism she edited: Before Des Moines, Stassen-Berger had been Capitol bureau chief, reporter and columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in Minnesota and a political reporter for the Star Tribune of Minneapolis. She has also been a reporter in Minneapolis, Eastern Europe, the suburbs of Philadelphia and New York. The Register has long been Iowa's largest news-gathering organization. 'Every editor knows that they are a caretaker of the institution. The institution is what matters and what matters to this community," said Anastasi, Gannett's vice president for local news. "We are so confident that Rachel is the right leader for the next era to lead this great institution and to stand on the shoulders. As we all do, of all of those who came before. So I'm really looking forward to the journalism and the difference making that's going to happen at the Des Moines Register in the years to come.' Des Moines Register editors Since 1902, there have been 12 editors of the Des Moines Register and Tribune. Carol Hunter: 2016-2024 Amalie Nash: 2014-2016 Rick Green: 2011-2013 Carolyn Washburn: 2005-2011 Paul Anger: 2002-2005 Dennis Ryerson: 1995-2001 Geneva Overholser: 1988-1995 James Gannon: 1982-1988 Michael Gartner: 1976-1982 Kenneth MacDonald: 1953-1976 William Wesley Waymack: 1943-1953 Harvey Ingham: 1902-1943 This story was updated to add information. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Rachel Stassen-Berger will be Des Moines Register executive editor
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Making Mardi Gras greener and cleaner in downtown Mobile
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — As the Mardi Gras season brings people together in downtown Mobile to enjoy the festivities, it can also bring in tons of trash and litter on the streets. It is a LoDa initiative to combat litter left over after parades that Downtown Mobile Alliance is making its mission to make Mardi Gras greener and cleaner. No arrests or major incidents during Mobile's first Mardi Gras parades of the season Downtown Mobile Alliance Communications Director Carol Hunter told that it also is an initiative for parade-goers to take part in as well. 'We really, during Mardi Gras, are focused on people picking up after themselves, taking care of disposing of their own litter,' Hunter said. 'And also paying attention to the opportunity to recycle.' Hunter said that the City of Mobile's street sweepers clean up thousands of pounds of trash after parades. 'It is good to know that there is a team out there dedicated to picking up what can be recycled, keeping it out of the landfill,' Hunter said. To help eliminate that problem, the city and DMA have put out extra purple trash cans and recycling bins along parade routes of the city. 'Last year, they collected more than 11,000 pounds of recyclables,' Hunter said. 'And you know, this year, it's always encouraging If you collect less.' 'Maybe that means people are recycling on their own,' she continued. Say No to the Glow is a new effort by DMA to eliminate glow sticks as Mardi Gras throws during Mobile parades. Hunter said that glow sticks left on streets and sidewalks, get caught up and clogged in street sweepers. 'They've become pretty popular,' Hunter said regarding glow sticks being used as throws. Mobile County Sheriff's Office ends free security for county parade routes 'But they are devastating to the environment; they never break down,' she said. 'They wind up in the landscaping where they're thrown.' DMA asks the public to have fun and enjoy the parades downtown but to also be mindful of making the city a cleaner place. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bienville Square will be open for Fat Tuesday
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — After being closed for the city's revitalization project, downtown Mobile's favorite park will be open for everyone to enjoy on Fat Tuesday. Bienville Square is one of many revelers' favorites to hang out while the good times roll. Mobile police install new safety barriers before Mardi Gras parades A new fountain, new flooring and benches have been added to enhance the park to make people using the park have a more enjoyable experience. Downtown Mobile Alliance Communications Director Carol Hunter said that was one of their goals with the revitalization process. 'Well, the design of the park was driven by a couple of what might be competing interests,' Hunter said. 'One was to accommodate the large crowds that we see during Mardi Gras. And a second interest is making sure that the trees and the landscaping are here to make the park beautiful and welcoming the other 50 weeks of the year.' The park was closed last year because the city was in the middle of its revitalization project with the square. Big Creek Lake closed to recreational fishing, boating — here's what officials are saying And with the park being open this season, people are excited to let the good times roll in one of their favorite spots in downtown Mobile. 'It looks actually pretty pretty nice when they first did it,' Mobile resident Arianna McArthur said. 'When they first revealed it, I was like, 'It looks just like it did before,' so the layout still looks the same, but it does look upgraded. I like the new stone gravels; I like the fountain. It does look really nice. I think it lights up at night.' 'It's a beautiful place,' Daphne resident Eric Gardner said. 'I can't wait to see who all comes out.' With the new upgrades, Hunter asked people at the park to be mindful of where they're standing to make sure the park can stay in ship-shape. 'We believe that people can respect that landscaping and stay in the places where people are supposed to be walking and not walk on the landscape,' Hunter said. 'Going right now, especially right now when it's fairly new and not completely established yet. And a lot of the understory planning underneath the trees, they took a bit of a hit with the snow and the cold temperatures. So it's especially important that people not trample on that area right now.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
