Nicole Cooke has been named the editor of the Sedalia Democrat.
Cooke has been with the Democrat since July 2013, starting as the education reporter. She moved to the city beat in May 2014 and has served as the paper’s news editor for the last two years.
“I’m looking forward to this new opportunity,” Cooke said. “While there’s still more for me to learn about the Democrat and Sedalia in this new position, I will be able to utilize the knowledge and relationships I’ve formed as a reporter in West Central Missouri to help lead the Democrat in the coming years.”
She will replace outgoing Editor Tim Epperson, who is leaving Sedalia to become the executive editor of three newspapers for Lee Enterprises, including The World, in Coos Bay, Oregon.
“Sedalia and Pettis County have been very good to me,” Epperson said. “I’ve made many friends the past two years who I will deeply miss. It was a bittersweet decision to make this move because I have such an amazing news team at the Democrat. I’m proud of their accomplishments and what they have brought to this community through their writing. Thank you Nicole, Hope, Faith and Alex for your dedication and hard work. I am confident Nicole will continue to make the Democrat a successful publication.”
Cooke, originally of Lee’s Summit, graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s in public relations and a minor in journalism from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. She worked as a reporter for the Muleskinner, UCM’s student-run newspaper, for three years and as a copy editor.
She has become an award-winning journalist during her time at the Democrat, receiving numerous first place awards from Missouri news organizations for her coverage of breaking news, education and photojournalism both individually and as part of the newsroom staff.
Cooke will be responsible for leading the Democrat newsroom through the transition into its new ownership with Phillips Media Group along with Publisher Will Weibert and other department managers.
“We are fortunate to have such a talented and well-decorated journalist such as Nicole Cooke to take over the helm of the editorial team,” Weibert added. “Tim Epperson has done a upstanding job as the Democrat’s editor, and my goal is to make the Democrat an even stronger paper both in print and online.”
She has made Sedalia her home over the last four years, becoming involved in various community organizations. She serves as the public relations chair for Sedalia Young Professionals and helps the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce with its social media. Cooke also volunteers with the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri.
“Local news sources are so important to a community,” Cooke said. “I hope to build on the Democrat’s success from the editors before me and grow our digital and print coverage of our community.”
Cooke can be reached at 660-530-0138 or ncooke@sedaliademocrat.com.
