AUGUSTA, Ga.— Stephen A. Beasley has been promoted to publisher of the Lubbock (Texas) Avalanche-Journal. The announcement was made today by William S. Morris IV, president and CEO of Morris Publishing Group, the newspaper division of Morris Communications Co. LLC, and is effective immediately. Beasley succeeds Mark E. Nusbaum, who was simultaneously named publisher of the Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal.

Since July 2002, Beasley has been serving as general manager of the Savannah (Ga.) Morning News. Prior to that, he was advertising director for the Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News, and had spent 11 years with the Amarillo daily. Early in his career, the veteran newspaperman had been with the Avalanche-Journal for 12 years, and now returns to lead the enterprise.

"Steve has done an outstanding job in Savannah. His combination of newspaper experience and leadership skill will be a definite asset for the Avalanche-Journal as well as the community of Lubbock," said Morris. "He is most deserving of this new role on our senior management team."

Beasley grew up in Lubbock, graduating from Monterey High School and Texas Tech University. His career with Morris began at the Avalanche-Journal immediately after college graduation. Beasley eventually became the Avalanche-Journal advertising director. He later held the same job at the Amarillo Globe-News until he was named director of sales and marketing. Beasley was promoted to general manager of the Savannah Morning News in 2002.

"Steve is a student of newspapers and has experience in all facets of the business," said Morris Executive Vice President of Newspapers James C. Currow. "I am very proud of Steve's growth and development through the years, and I look forward to watching him perform in his new role as publisher."

Morris Publishing Group was formed in 2001 and assumed the operations of the newspaper business segment of its parent, Morris Communications Co. LLC. Morris Publishing Group publishes 26 daily, 12 nondaily and 23 free community newspapers in the United States.

CONTACT:
Michael Parsons
706-823-3533
michael.parsons@morris.com