North Texas Daily

Being able to serve as editor-in-chief in my ninth semester at the North Texas Daily is truly such an honor. I joined the Daily as a photographer in the spring of 2020 when I walked into the office after a Principles of News class. Since then, I have met so many wonderful people and learned so much from my professors and peers.

While I have seen the staff here change many times, I am proud to say our mission never has. Our top priority is still making sure our audience gets trustworthy and relevant coverage in the service of the university and Denton communities.

I am especially excited about the content we are going to produce this semester with new resources and a dedicated editorial board.

Anyone who has been keeping up with the previous letters from the editor knows we are getting a new website, and that process is still underway. I am optimistic that we will be able to launch late this semester after finalizing designs and training.

The new website will allow us to bring the Daily into the modern age of news and help us better produce quality and accessible content.

I am also pleased to announce that the new primary email contact for the Daily is now northtexasdaily@gmail.com. This new email will allow us to communicate faster and more directly with the communities we serve.

Another new resource that will help us connect with the community is our coverage request form. Located in our Linktree, this form will help us share important stories and improve community coverage.

Our editorial board is made up of a talented group of new and returning faces, and I cannot wait to work with them this semester.

Managing and video editor Madeleine Moore is stepping into two new roles this semester that I know she will do incredible in. Moore has previously worked as design editor and news editor and, along with managing the Daily, will be implementing video into our coverage this semester.

Design editor Kelly Tran also previously served as news editor, and I know with her experience and dedication, she will take our paper to a new level.

Our current news editor Ayden Runnels worked for the last two semesters as the opinion editor. I am amazed by their work ethic and talent, and I cannot wait to see what the news section is able to produce under them.

Opinion editor Hana Musa and illustrations editor Jazmine Garcia are both joining the editorial board for the first time this semester. I have seen both of them work in staff roles previously, and I can’t wait to watch them take this next step in their journeys.

Arts & Life editor Samantha Thornfelt is returning to continue leading her section. I am positive Thornfelt will continue producing high-quality content that highlights people in the community worth knowing. Thornfelt and Moore will also be taking over the Daily’s Dose podcast after the departure of Jaden Oberkrom. We are working hard to distribute episodes this semester.

Also working with Moore this semester and returning as visuals editor is Maria Crane. During her time in the visuals department, Crane has used her incredible leadership skills to form connections with her photography staff, and the section will continue to grow and thrive this semester.

Sports editor Reed Smith is also reprising his role and will be joined by deputy editor Jillian Nachtigal. Together they are going to keep delivering quality game recaps and player profiles.

Melanie Hernandez and Samantha Freeman are returning to the copy desk and are joined by Rose Wright, who is returning to the newsroom after a hiatus last semester.

This semester will also see the return of the Daily’s logo on our social media posts to help create a more uniform look on our accounts.

This semester will see many positive changes for the Daily as I lead the paper through them. I would be amiss to not mention Randy Loftis – our faculty advisor who helps guide us through the ins and outs of running a newspaper.

I also want to thank Kiara St. Clair for giving me my first staff job with the Daily, and Maria Lawson and Rhema Joy Bell for showing me how an editor-in-chief should lead.

As a first-generation college student, I also want to thank my parents, Don and Anita Anderson, for making sure I had opportunities they never did and for helping me get where I am today.

Thank you for reading the Daily, and please continue to support student journalism.

Featured Image Editor-in-Chief John Anderson speaks with the editorial board on Jan. 20, 2023. Photo by Maria Crane