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Stacy G. Graning has been named publisher of Natchez Newspapers Inc., The Natchez Democrat and affiliated print and digital products.

“Stacy has a long history with Boone Newsmedia Inc. (BNI), and we are pleased to have her home in Natchez, where she began her career as lifestyles editor,” said Catherine Boone Hadaway, senior vice president of BNI. “Stacy is an excellent journalist and understands a newspaper’s mission to make its community a better place through sound, local reporting. She will provide strong day-to-day leadership in Natchez, a market that is very important to BNI and the Boone family.”

A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Graning began her career at The Democrat, and went on to lead the newsroom as its editor, earning a reputation for excellence in serving the community and training and developing journalists. Under her leadership, the editorial team was consistently recognized with state, regional and national awards. She continued her work with BNI as publisher at Troy Publications Inc. in Troy, Ala., for 20 years, where she developed strategic community partnerships and led an award-winning team. Most recently she managed Brookhaven Newsmedia LLC and served as regional editor for numerous papers throughout Mississippi and BNI.

An award-winning writer, columnist and editor, Graning has been actively engaged in her communities, holding leadership roles in Chambers of Commerce, education foundations and numerous civic clubs.  She is an active champion for community newspapers and is a past board member of the Alabama Press Association and most recently of the Mississippi Press Association Journalism Foundation. She also has been active in her local churches, where she has served on parish and finance councils and led faith formation and RCIA programs.

“Natchez Newspapers Inc. has long been a standard-bearer for the important role a strong, local news media company plays in a community,” Graning said. “For more than 100 years, The Democrat has held the trust of the Miss-Lou community, providing excellent journalism, community leadership and engagement along with marketing guidance and support to our local businesses. Maintaining that trust and level of excellence as we continue to evolve and develop new ways to deliver news and support our local economy is at the heart of what we do each day.”

Graning has been working as a regional editor with Natchez for three years, and she said looks forward to working and living fulltime in Natchez again

“We have tremendous opportunities ahead in our Miss-Lou community, and I’m excited for the role The Democrat and our team will play in that future,” she said.