Veteran journalist and Ashland native Michael Caldwell has been named publisher of The Jessamine Journal, Jessamine Life magazine and affiliated websites. 

Caldwell succeeds Larry Hensley, who will continue as publisher of the Advocate-Messenger in Danville and The Interior Journal in Stanford. Both serve as co-presidents of Bluegrass Newsmedia LLC, which purchased the Journal on Jan. 1, 2016.

Caldwell joined Bluegrass in October as publisher of The Winchester Sun, a role he will continue to hold. He began his Nicholasville duties July 10 and immediately started getting to know the community.

“As I said less than a year ago, this is truly like coming home for me. I continue to be humbled by the opportunity to serve these amazing Central Kentucky communities,” Caldwell said. “My goal remains the same: to help lead the newspaper and its talented staff to produce the best possible publications that showcase our communities and serve our readers and advertisers.”

Caldwell, 41, began his career as a reporter at The Ironton (Ohio) Tribune after earning a journalism degree from Marshall University. Caldwell held a variety of editor positions before being named publisher in 2006. 

During his tenure, The Tribune was honored six times by the Ohio Associated Press as the state’s best community newspaper, received more than 150 journalism awards, was named the Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year and partnered with civic organizations to lead a variety of betterment projects. 

Caldwell also led Leader Publications in Niles, Michigan, publishing seven newspapers and a magazine serving southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. The Ironton Tribune, Leader Publications and Bluegrass Newsmedia are all affiliates of the Boone Newspapers organization of Tuscaloosa, Ala. 

“Community newspapers continue to play a vital role in our ever-changing world. They do this by informing citizens, pushing for positive changes in our communities and being a key partner to our businesses,” Caldwell said. “The Jessamine Journal has a storied 145-year history, and we want to get back to our roots of being the best source of local news for Nicholasville, Wilmore and all of Jessamine County.”

Caldwell and his wife, Rae Ann, have been married for 13 years. They reside in Winchester with their two daughters, Avery, 9, and Emma, 7.