Ken Newton, News-Press senior reporter/columnist, got his first daily newspaper byline in 1977 and has worked full-time as a print journalist for 29 years.
A life-long Missourian, he grew in the state's Bootheel. Ken earned a degree in English from Southeast Missouri State University and taught high school in the St. Louis area for two years. He began newspaper work in Cape Girardeau in June 1980, eventually holding positions ranging from sports editor to managing editor.
He moved to the News-Press in July 1994. His one-on-one interviews have included George H.W. Bush, John Edwards, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, John Glenn, Alice Cooper and Loretta Lynn. He has served in professional leadership roles in the Missouri-Kansas Associated Press, the AP Managing Editors and the Mid-America Press Institute.
Ken and his wife, Connie, have three children. They are members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in St. Joseph.
Recent Stories
Blue Dogs want their say
The Blue Dogs again want their say. A 54-member group of U.S. House Democrats -- known collectively as the Blue Dog Coalition -- has announced a challenge to President Obama's budgetary spending freeze.
Midlands energize innovations
For the record, Atchison County, in the far northwestern corner of Missouri, has 12 times the Native American population as Nantucket County in Massachusetts.
Missourians laud end of animal-ID program
As Tea Party activists gathered in Nashville over the weekend, rallying their cause of rebellion against Washington's bloat, farm-country reformers celebrated a quieter grassroots victory.
New glass shatters lean times
Civilization comes with its rough patches. Blame it on the economy if you wish, but some glitches in the social order seem long established.
President appoints Nixon to Council of Governors
President Obama has picked Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon to serve on his Council of Governors.
Bond to Obama: Keep secrets secret
Missouri Sen. Kit Bond advised President Obama on Thursday to keep sensitive security information secret. The written scolding concerned the White House handling of a Nigerian who tried to blow up a U.S.-bound jetliner on Christmas Day.
Census 2010: Panel warns residents of scams
The Census 2010 logo features the phrase “It’s In Our Hands,” a reference to the civic participation needed to complete the constitutionally mandated population count. But members of the St. Joseph Complete Count Committee want to make sure the form in “our hands” is the genuine article. Some other questionnaires are making the rounds, some dishonest, some from another arm of government. Those interested in seeing a full local count don’t want people to be ripped off or confused.
Complete Count group: Watch for census scams
The Census 2010 logo features the phrase "It's In Our Hands." But members of the St. Joseph Complete Count Committee want to make sure the form in "our hands" is the genuine article.
Mother of triplets counts her blessings
The doctor had news for Mavis McClurg. Looks like twins. She cried. Twins were out of the question. A grandmother, Mrs. McClurg had her first child in 1937, her fifth one in 1955. This was the family of Ivan and Mavis when she learned of the pregnancy in 1959. Even the doctor was shocked, she remembers.
Lawmakers find fault with budget plan
The region's U.S. House members had little good to say about President Obama's proposed Fiscal 2011 budget.
