WPLN News has hired LaTonya Turner as the newsroom’s Morning News Editor and Julia Ritchey as Afternoon News Editor. Their first day at the station will be Dec. 13.
In these positions, they will support the newsroom’s award-winning reporters and hosts in producing high-quality daily news coverage, both on air on 90.3 FM and online at WPLN.org. Each will manage a team of journalists and help foster a positive work environment and mission.
“One of the joys of my job has been growing the corps of editors who develop the sound and culture of our newsroom every day,” says Emily Siner, WPLN’s News Director. “By hiring LaTonya and Julia, we’ll gain two more excellent journalists who are passionate about working in this region and thoughtful about how they do what they do.”
Turner (she/her) is an award-winning broadcast journalist, documentary producer and TV host. She has worked at Nashville Public Television for 10 years, most recently as senior producer, focusing on stories about social issues and marginalized communities. Turner’s recent work includes the acclaimed documentary Facing North: Jefferson Street, Nashville, about the social history of Nashville’s oldest Black community. She has also moderated televised town halls and audience discussions on topics such as voting rights, health disparities, opioids and youth violence. Earlier in her career, Turner worked as a reporter/anchor for WSMV-TV in Nashville, after starting her career in Shreveport, Louisiana. Turner is a passionate supporter of theatre and performing arts and serves on the Nashville Repertory Theatre Board of Directors. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and a strong advocate for cultural equity, diversity and inclusion in media and arts.
“I am excited and honored to join the WPLN News staff as it expands local programming and provides excellent public service journalism,” Turner says. “I hope to help with that vision while elevating marginalized voices and shining the light of truth on issues in our community.”
Ritchey (she/her) is a journalist and editor with over a decade of experience reporting, producing and podcasting. She has previously reported for public radio stations in Reno, Salt Lake City and upstate New York, with a special focus on local and state government. Ritchey also worked on the award-winning podcast Drilled, an investigative series on climate change, and more recently for The Indicator, NPR’s daily economics program. Her work has appeared through outlets such as NPR, Planet Money, The Associated Press, High Country News, 1A, Here & Now, Carolina Public Press, Savannah Morning News and Voice of America. Julia originally hails from western North Carolina.
“I’ve long admired WPLN’s thorough reporting that sheds light on all facets of this growing, vibrant part of the Southeast,” Ritchey says. “I am thrilled to be joining this team and continuing to grow with them.”
With Ritchey and Turner on the team, WPLN News will have 25 journalists by the end of this year, up from 10 in 2019. While most newsrooms across the country are shrinking, WPLN News continues to grow thanks to the support of its listeners and corporate sponsors.
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