Higgins
WILKES-BARRE — The Times Leader has a new executive editor.
Jake Higgins, who has newsroom experience across the media spectrum — including television, radio and print — started in the position on Monday.
“I am extremely excited to join the Times Leader staff as executive editor, and am eager to join a strong newsroom that supports the community with daily news and quality reporting,” Higgins said. “I have spent over a decade in journalism, working for news organizations in New York, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Oregon. I am excited to bring my knowledge from these experiences to the Times Leader so that we can continue to expand the reporting that we provide in the newspaper, through our e-edition and for free on our website.”
In addition to his service in various newsroom contexts, Higgins, a native of Northeast Pennsylvania, also brings video editing, podcasting and social media marketing experience with him to the Times Leader.
“With this wide range of experience, I am confident that I can continue the innovation at the Times Leader to provide top-notch reporting to the community,” Higgins said.
Higgins is a graduate of Pocono Mountain East High School and earned a dual bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in Broadcast/Digital Journalism and Information Management & Technology.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jake Higgins as the new executive editor of the Times Leader Media Group,” said Kerry Miscavage, Times Leader Media Group publisher. “Jake brings a deep passion for journalism, a commitment to community storytelling and a clear vision for the future of local news. His leadership will help strengthen our newsroom and continue our mission of delivering trusted, impactful reporting to Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are excited for the energy and perspective he brings to the Times Leader team.”
For the past few months, the executive editor position has been held on an interim basis by News Editor Liz Baumeister, who was elevated to the role upon the July 6 passing of Times Leader newsroom mainstay Joe Soprano, who worked for the newspaper for over 37 years.
“I am excited for Jake to join our team, and I look forward to working with him in leading the newsroom,” said Baumeister. “I believe his experience and perspective will make him an invaluable addition to the Times Leader.”
In his new role as the paper’s editorial and journalistic leader, Higgins will primarily oversee daily newsroom operations, development the newsroom team, advance the Times Leader’s digital presence, act as an ambassador for the paper in the community, and collaborate with the newspaper’s other departments.
“We are so pleased to welcome Jake to the Times Leader team,” said Diane McGee, Times Leader Media Group advertising director. “Stepping into a role held by someone so respected and admired is no easy task, but we have complete confidence in Jake’s abilities to bring a fresh perspective, a thoughtful approach, and a deep commitment to the work ahead. We know he will honor [Soprano]’s legacy while shaping his own path forward.”
Higgins looks forward to meeting community leaders and subscribers in the weeks to come. He can be reached at jhiggins@TIMESLEADER.COM.
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