It’s a changing of the guard at Journal North.
Mark Oswald, who has been in the editor’s chair in Santa Fe since 1999, retired
Friday, Jan. 17.
T.S. Last, a staff reporter who has covered local government, schools and other topics at Journal North for more than seven years, is taking the helm.
“I’ll miss the newsroom and daily journalism, which I’ve been part of since the mid-1970s, and the adrenaline of pursuing good stories,” Oswald said. “This is a great news town and one where competition is still alive and well, a rare thing these days and something that keeps you on your toes.
“It’s time for a break. I want to join the other gray-hairs around Santa Fe in taking advantage of what this town has to offer, and see what comes next.”
“I’m glad that Terry (as T.S. Last is known to his colleagues) is taking over,” Oswald added. “He’s been a great reporter and has a lot of institutional knowledge about what goes on in Santa Fe.”
Last previously was general manager for 4½ years at the El Defensor Chieftain in Socorro. On his watch, the paper won a New Mexico Press Association award for general excellence in its circulation category and a public service award for the state. Last started his journalism career at the Valencia County News Bulletin.
“There’s no replacing Mark Oswald,” Last said. “But the newsroom staff and I will do our best to keep providing excellent news coverage for Santa Fe and northern New Mexico.”
