From Staff Reports

NEW YORK, N.Y. — New York-based parent company USA Today Co. Inc. did not publicly disclose, as of July 31, a specific reason for why Executive Editor Karen Chávez is no longer serving as the executive editor of Western North Carolina’s two daily newspapers that it owns — the Asheville (N.C.) Citizen Times and the neighboring Hendersonville (N.C.) Times-News.

Chavez also oversaw the company’s two associated weeklies in WNC, including the Black Mountain News and the (Marshall) News-Record and Sentinel.

A spokesperson for the newspaper confirmed that she left the company, releasing a standard corporate statement thanking her for her contributions and stating that they are actively looking for a new executive editor to lead the newsroom, the Ashevegas Hot Sheet reported on July 28.

Following are local media highlights related to Chavez’ reported departure from her job:

• No official details: Specific internal or personal reasons for her sudden departure have not been shared by USA Co. Inc. — or by Chávez herself.

• Long tenure: Chávez had been with the newspaper for 26 years, climbing from an environmental reporter to the first Latina executive editor in the paper’s 150-year history. 

• Active search: The Asheville Citizen Times reportedly is currently using its regional management structure, while searching for a permanent replacement.