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LEWISTOWN -- Erin Thompson has been promoted to be the managing editor of The Sentinel, Publisher Ruth Eddy announced.
Thompson has been serving as the interim managing editor since December 2022. She replaces previous managing editor Brian Cox, who left earlier that year.
"I look forward to working with Erin in her new role," Eddy said. "She has the knowledge and experience coupled with the vision to lead the newsroom."
As managing editor, Thompson will continue to oversee the newsroom as she has served as interim managing editor since December 2022.
Her duties include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the newsroom, assigning stories to reporters, planning and collaborating with the editorial staff to produce original local content as well as coordinating The Sentinel's editorial staff and pagination staff in Altoona.
"I did not aspire to work in a managing editor capacity but having served in an interim role for more than a year, I have come to appreciate being able to guide the staff in a more hands-on level," Thompson said. "I think my commitment to the industry sprung out of an appreciation for newspapers and a recognition of the importance that local journalism plays in our communities."
A native of Gettysburg, Thompson came to The Sentinel in 2018 and has held a number of positions, including court reporter, religion and education editor and assistant editor. She also served as managing editor of the weekly County Observer from 2019 to 2023.
Prior to arriving in Mifflin County, Thompson worked as editor of the specialized publications for the Bedford Gazette from 2015 to 2017; and editor of the weekly Broad Top Bulletin from 2016 to 2017.
Thompson has served as a reporter at several other newspapers, including the York Daily Record, Hanover Evening Sun, Gettysburg Times and The Daily Item, based in Sunbury.
Additionally, she has worked for Erie Life and Spaces magazines.
"I am concerned about the evolution of local journalism," Thompson added. "As social media has become a large source of newsgathering for younger generations, newspapers like The Sentinel fight to stay relevant."
Thompson graduated from Edinboro University with a bachelor's in print journalism and minors in creative writing and English. In college, she served as the editor-in-chief at The Spectator, the weekly campus newspaper, from 2005 to 2009. After graduation, Thompson interned at USA Today, based in McLean, Va., in 2009.
In addition to working for the Sentinel, she has managed a small business from 2012 to present.
"There is definitely a disconnect in some people's ability to discern a credible source," Thompson added. "We hope the public can feel confident in turning to us as a trusted news source."