• by Ray Schultz , July 18, 2024

The Star Tribune Media Company has changed its newsroom structure and set up departments to focus on five key topic areas: news and politics, business, sports, food and culture, and outdoors.

“Within these key areas, we’re re-framing our coverage to produce more relevant, useful and impactful journalism, from breaking stories to utility information to in-depth accountability reporting,” says Suki Dardarian, editor and senior vice president. 

In addition, the Star Tribune has hired five editors to lead the new departments. These editors, who will work cross-functionally with colleagues in growth, product and sales teams, include:

• Erin Golden, news & politics editor--Golden has served as Minneapolis team leader since last summer when she returned to the Star Tribune after serving  as director of public relations at St. Olaf College. She first joined the Star Tribune in 2014. 
• Kristen Painter, business editor-- Painter has spent ten years covering business news at the Star Tribune, as a reporter and a team leader. Before that, she reported for The Denver Post.
• Ryan Kostecka, sports editor—Kostecka grew up in the newsroom of the Napa Valley Register, where his mother worked as advertising director.
• Sue Campbell, food & culture editor--Campbell previously worked at the Pioneer Press and PBS Twin Cities’ Next Avenue. 
• Andrew Putz, outdoors editor—Putz joins the Star Tribunefrom MinnPost, where he was editor-in-chief.

The Star Tribune also appointed Allie Shah as deputy editor, food & culture, and Phil Pina as deputy editor, news & politics.

“Members of the news staff helped guide this approach, partnering with others in the company to review reader research and brainstorm new coverage and potential new news products," Dardarian adds.