Some exciting organizational changes have occurred at the Southern Utah News with Operations Manager Brooke Knighton being promoted to Publisher, and Ty Gant being named as Editor.
When asked about her new position, Knighton said, “I am honored and excited to have worked hard and climbed the ladder to the position of Publisher of the Southern Utah News. This position is not taken lightly by me, and I look forward to continuing to provide our readers with worthwhile content and news coverage.”
Knighton started at the Southern Utah News on April 10, 2017, as a part-time receptionist, working 20 hours a week for Dixie and Dennis Brunner. After a couple months of answering phones and doing basic subscription data input, she was given the role of Office Manager and began doing the fi rst round of submission edits and compiling the weekly Flashback column.
She said, “When my coworker retired, I absorbed her duties and went full-time under the title of Operations Manager. I took over accounting and billing, some layout and design, and doing both the first and final round of edits before the paper was sent to print."
Knighton has always been very teachable, and willing to learn, and was cross-trained on the inner workings of the newspaper, including the publication process. Her ability to help publish became especially important when the newspaper changed hands. She continues, “Working with Megan and Neal Brown, I further honed my knowledge on the publication process, as well as the many other things needed to meet the ever looming and always repeating deadlines associated with producing a weekly newspaper. I look forward to putting the skills and knowledge provided to me by the Brunners and Browns toward publishing the award-winning Southern Utah News.”
When Gant was asked about his new position, he said, “Honestly, this is my dream job. When I was in high school, getting ready to pick a college and a degree, the counselor asked what I wanted to do with my life. I answered honestly, ‘If I can write something, and someone out there is entertained by it, I’m happy.’” He calls Kanab home, growing up here, and recently returning, he’s glad to be more a part of the community. He studied communications and journalism for five years, first at BYU then remotely at UVU when COVID hit, finishing his last year.
Gant says he’s not much for blogging, so he’s looking forward to having a major role at the Southern Utah News to inform and entertain the good people of Southern Utah. He says, “As an editor and reporter, I promise to keep integrity, objectivity, and the responsibility of the fourth estate as my highest priorities … and hopefully share some of the wonderful goings-on in the area with all of you as well. Talk to you soon, readers!”
Knighton is perfect for her new role; she’s been the backbone of the SUN for the last year, cross-trained, able, and totally perfect for it. She’s got the rapport with the customers, respect with the advertisers and a firm grasp of how to successfully manage the paper. I’m super excited for her.
Gant is a fantastic writer, entertaining but to the point and able to convey the right message without over doing it. His writing is interesting, and he has already been able to capture his own writing personality and tone, which is rare for such a young writer.
The two will start immediately in their new roles. Under new ownership of Andy Gant, the team will continue to provide the same award-winning content that Kane County has come to expect for its news coverage.
