Our news staff works hard to deliver news you can use on a regular basis. As I’ve outlined before, finding viable candidates for open positions at any of our newspapers can often take time — more time than we’d like.

One of the ongoing struggles across the entire news industry is what I like to call the lack of first-line leaders with a deep reservoir of experience.

When I began my career — way back when — at the Ontario Argus Observer there was a solid crew of experienced journalists with years of know-how. My editor was already 10 years or more into his career and the man I worked for, the sports editor, was also well versed in prep activities. He knew the players, so to speak, that made up the sports beat and he was able to dip into a deep well of knowledge on a regular basis.

Some rural newsrooms, though, have changed just as our industry shifted since the day I first began to work in this field more than 20 years ago. Across the nation those first-line leaders, or middle managers, vanished. Either through attrition, buy-outs and layoffs or retirement, a corps of qualified people who could count on decades of experience to pass on to young reporters are gone.

One of my goals for the future is to find a way to rebuild that middle line of experienced journalists who, though they may not be in a leadership position, are pillars of experience and ingenuity. These individuals are key to our future. We need to retain as many of them as we possibly can to ensure our future remains vibrant.

Giving you news that you can use isn’t an easy task. Yet it is something we strive to accomplish to the best of our ability every day. But we need to ensure that those with experience, with deep-seated knowledge remain vital parts of our newsrooms.

If you haven’t already, take a moment to register your subscription for digital access of the East Oregonian. Call 800-781-3214 to talk to one of our customer service staff who will be happy to walk you through the process. It’s easy, takes just a few moments to get set up and allows you to take advantage of our e-edition, app and website delivery along with your print subscription.

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As always, if you have comments or questions about the East Oregonian, or want to pass along a story idea, send me an email at this address: acutler@eastoregonian.com.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to once again thank the East Oregonian’s subscribers: We simply would be unable to do this vital work without your support.

Andrew Cutler is the publisher and editor of the East Oregonian.