There have been some changes in the Great Bend Tribune newsroom. City reporter Susan Thacker has been named news editor and area reporter Jim Misunas has been named sports editor.
“We have a strong news team here that is passionate about the community, and these two exemplify that,” said Managing Editor Dale Hogg. “With their experience in this business, Susan and Jim will provide excellent leadership.”
The Tribune has always focused on local news and sports, Hogg said. “These promotions will help us continue this strong tradition.”
Thacker received a Bachelor of Science Degree in English from Emporia State University and a Master of Arts in communications with an emphasis in radio, television and journalism from Wichita State University. She moved to the Golden Belt after graduate school to work at the Larned Tiller and Toiler before accepting a job as a reporter at the Great Bend Tribune.
“I did leave the Tribune for a time,” she said. “After working at newspapers in Kansas and Oklahoma, I returned to Great Bend and have been at the Tribune since 2002.”
She is a member of the Great Bend Kiwanis, the Barton County Historical Society, TOPS and the Barton Community College Silver Cougar Club.
Misunas has worked the past five years at the Tribune, focusing on Pawnee County news while also writing sports-related stories. The Southern Illinois-Carbondale graduate has worked as a journalist at Lyons, Larned, Hutchinson and Hastings, Neb.