Good luck, Fusco!
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sounds like a great new gig, but, man, will he ever be missed. He is a pleasure to work for and is a news person’s news person…
Chris Fusco, the top editor at the Chicago Sun-Times for the past three years, said Wednesday he is leaving the publication to begin work at a media startup in California that aims to rejuvenate local news.
Fusco will become the founding executive editor at Lookout Local, a venture of media analyst and writer Ken Doctor. Starting in October, he will work in Santa Cruz, California, where Doctor is testing a digital model for journalism he hopes to bring to markets lacking traditional news sources.
A 20-year veteran of the Sun-Times, Fusco has led the publication since 2017, when it transitioned to a new ownership group with a significant presence of organized labor. The group’s successful bid foiled a takeover attempt by owners of the Chicago Tribune that media experts believed would have led to the demise of the Sun-Times. Fusco was elevated to executive editor this year in recognition of an increased role in business operations. […]
Managing Editor Steve Warmbir will be interim editor-in-chief of the Sun-Times. “Like me, he’s a firm believer in building a more diverse newsroom that creates opportunities and paths forward for people of color and young journalists. I am eager to see how all your fine work continues to develop under his watch and know he’ll bring a fresh perspective to the company leadership team,” Fusco said.
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 1:24 pm:
The paper has been strong under his leadership. He will be missed.
Best wishes to Steve Warmbir in (at least) the interim role.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 2:07 pm:
Best wishes to Chris Fusco.
Local reporting needs expertise and seasoned hands “in the shop” and out chasing stories, and my hope is more and more outlets are created to focus on local news being reported on by local professional journalists.
- Abdon - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 2:27 pm:
God Speed, Chris! Thanks for keeping the Sun-Times going and good luck with the new venture.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
A bright one leaves The Bright One, but with the light shining strong. That couldn’t have and wouldn’t have been the expectation just a few years ago.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 4:54 pm:
=he is leaving the publication to begin work at a media startup in California that aims to rejuvenate local news.=
A truly worthy, important goal. I wish him the best.