From intern to owner in 3 years: At 25, Georgia man takes the reins of his hometown newspaper

The newspaper Evan Newton used to pick up as a 6-year-old — entering the weekly football contest, flipping to the arrest page — is now his.

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At just 25 years old, Newton has become the owner, publisher and editor of The Monticello News, making him one of the youngest newspaper owners in Georgia history.

And his path to the top started just three years ago as an intern.

Newton’s first day as the paper’s owner was July 16. In 2023, Newton began his professional journalism career as an intern at the same paper.

He wrote in a social media post that the experience sparked an “unexpected but deep passion” for local journalism.

So when the opportunity came to return to the newspaper where his career began, Newton said he knew it was the right time.

The ownership change also marks a new chapter for the paper itself. The Monticello News had been under the Hughes-Mudd family’s ownership for more than 50 years.

“I know I have some big shoes to fill,” Newton wrote. “Only this time, I’ll be in the driver’s seat.”

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