New Managing Editor Ken Smith brings decades of journalism experience to Columbia Basin Herald

"The best way around mistrust in the media is that you just do excellent news. You publish things objectively, you cut to the truth, and you make sure the reader knows you’re doing that.” 

Ken Smith  

MOSES LAKE — When Ken Smith talks about journalism, he doesn’t just describe a career – he describes a lifelong pursuit shaped by risk, reinvention and a deep belief in the value of local news. 

Smith, the new Managing Editor of the Columbia Basin Herald, brings decades of experience in newspapers, radio and independent publishing to the role, along with a vision of growing the paper’s digital reach while maintaining its community focus. 

“I didn’t jump right into journalism when I got out of college,” Smith said. “I had this dream of being a stand-up comedian because I’m a really funny guy, sometimes.” 

That early detour took him to Los Angeles and Boston, where he performed comedy before ultimately realizing the path required more commitment than he was ready to give at the time. From there, he pivoted into teaching – including a stint working with students with learning disabilities and later teaching college English in China for two years. 

“When I came back from China, I was like, OK, I’m ready to get into journalism,” he said. 

Smith’s first full step into the field came in Alaska, where he worked in radio as a news director for both a commercial and public radio station before co-founding the Turnagain Times, a newspaper based in Girdwood, a small resort community 25 miles south of Anchorage. With a modest $20,000 investment, Smith and his business partner launched what would become a successful publication serving seven rural communities. 

The paper ran for 19 years, with Smith eventually taking over as publisher and editor. He said it remains the proudest accomplishment of his career. 

“A successful newspaper for 19 years, it’s pretty much the feather in my cap,” he said. 

Smith said the publication not only thrived editorially but also doubled its revenue during his tenure – no small feat in an era when many local papers struggled with declining advertising. 

After shuttering the paper at the end of 2017 amid industry-wide financial challenges, Smith continued working in media and communications, including a recent role as public relations director for a tribal organization in southern Oregon.  

Now, just over a week into his new position in Moses Lake, Smith said he is still getting acquainted with the Columbia Basin – but already sees opportunity. 

“It’s very rural, but I’m used to rural areas,” he said. “The farming communities around here are impressive. I’ve never seen such huge farms.” 

Columbia Basin Herald Publisher Bob Richardson said he is excited to have Smith on board.  

“I am excited about the different views he has, compared to what we have had in the past,” Richardson said. “He is not from around here and he has seen a lot of different places. I am looking forward to him adding his personal touch to everything we do here.”  

Smith described the region as similar in some ways to southern Oregon’s Klamath Basin, but larger in scale – from agriculture to industry. 

“There’s a lot going on here,” Smith said. “I’m a little surprised at the intensity.” 

That intensity extends to the newsroom he now leads. Smith said he has been particularly impressed by the Herald’s staff and the scope of coverage the paper produces. 

“How does a small town of 26,000 produce a daily newspaper?” he said. “And I’m finding out.” 

Still, Smith is already thinking about the paper’s future – especially its digital presence. 

“I would like to see the digital side grow,” he said. “Videos, podcasting, the online site, the integration of everything.” 

While he believes print still plays an important role, Smith acknowledged the industry’s ongoing shift. 

“The future is going to be digital,” he said. “I don’t know if print will continue for the longevity of the media company, but there’s a lot of room for growth.” 

Part of that growth, he said, could include more multimedia storytelling – from podcasts to video features highlighting local industries such as agriculture. 

“How many times have I driven by these farms and wondered, who lives there?” Smith said. “What are they doing? Why do they do it?” 

At the same time, Smith said the core mission of local journalism remains unchanged. 

“Newspapers have always been the backbone of small towns,” he said. “And when we’re talking journalism, the first thing you’re taught is that newspapers are the watchdog of the government.” 

In an era of misinformation and declining trust in the media, Smith said that role is more important than ever. 

“The best way around mistrust in the media is that you just do excellent news,” he said. “You publish things objectively, you cut to the truth, and you make sure the reader knows you’re doing that.” 

Building that trust, he added, will require continued engagement with the community – something he plans to prioritize. 

“I’ll get out and about to meetings and events,” he said. “I always welcome any feedback.” 

Readers can contact him directly at [email protected], whether to share story ideas, concerns or letters to the editor. 

As for life outside the newsroom, Smith said he enjoys simple pleasures – golf, working out, movies, good food and exploring local wineries. 

“When I saw we were in the Columbia Basin, all the local wineries, I was like, that’s all I need in life,” he said. “A little good food and some good wine.” 

He also hopes readers will recognize the effort behind the daily paper they receive. 

“I don’t think they understand the amount of work that goes in to serving the public interest and doing good news,” he said. 

For Smith, success in his first year will mean building on that foundation – expanding coverage, embracing new formats and continuing to serve the Basin with in-depth, community-focused reporting. 

“I’m kind of happy,” he said. “I didn’t walk into a disaster. I walked into a fine-tuned machine. Now my job is to make sure the oil continues to get changed and we continue being a fine-tuned machine.”  

To contact CBH Editor Ken Smith:  

Email [email protected]