Announcements: Samantha Abernethy Joins The Staff Full Time

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 3, 2012 9:50PM

Hey, all. The past 14 or so months helming this site have been a whirlwind and one of the best challenges I've ever had. Chicagoist has been able to sustain an increase in traffic while making significant changes to the site's design, commenting system and RSS feeds. Like Bears head coach Lovie Smith, I try to focus on the positives of the job and the site, without being delusional like Smith.

One of the best things that's happened to the site in recent months has been the return of Samantha Abernethy to the fold. She took over for Prescott Carlson as weekend editor and rebuilt a crew that was looking mighty thin. Then she started contributing during the weekdays on a regular basis, which was a breath of fresh air on days where it felt like I was due to hit the proverbial wall hard.

As we look to 2012, we see events like the NATO and G8 summits on the horizon, spring training is right around the corner, and the City's ongoing impasse with labor unions could see its first major battle when the Chicago Teachers Union's contract with Chicago Public Schools expires. We'd like to have the flexibility to cover those stories while freeing us up to do more original content in A&E and F&D. Which is why, starting today, Sam gets promoted to co-editor. She's stoked for the opportunity and, having developed a good working relationship with her over these past months, I'm certainly stoked for what Sam brings to the table. It's a promotion that's well-earned, even if we are now in the market for a weekend editor again.

Congrats, Sam. And ride Tankboy. Hard.