The Republic (Columbus) assumes a new newsroom leadership structure following the retirement of associate editor Harry McCawley.
Two assistant managing editors – Kirk Johannesen and Julie McClure – will help Editor Tom Jekel direct the paper’s news operations.
Johannesen will select and oversee content for the Opinion page and be the newspaper’s primary editorial writer and a weekly columnist. Those are roles that have been handled by McCawley.
McCawley’s retirement after 50 years with Home News Enterprises, parent company of The Republic, was announced about five months ago.
Johannesen, who has been with The Republic for 14 years, will continue to have a hand in the daily news report, both as an editor and in overseeing photo management.
Johannesen holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University.
McClure has primary responsibility for overseeing the city and county news report, taking over for Johannesen in supervising the local news reporters.
She has spent her career in the newspaper business in Indiana. That includes more than 20 years in editing roles at three daily newspapers.
McClure started her journalism career as a reporter for the Kokomo Tribune then earned a promotion to city editor, a role she held for nine years. She moved to the Journal & Courier in Lafayette in 1996. She spent four years as an investigative reporter then worked 11 years as the newspaper’s features editor.
McClure holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Evansville.
— The Republic (Columbus)
