The Dallas Morning News Names Veteran Journalist Mitchell Schnurman Business Columnist

DALLAS, Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its commitment to maintaining the strongest, deepest newsroom of any media outlet in North Texas, The Dallas Morning News has named longtime local journalist Mitch Schnurman as Business columnist. Beginning this Sunday, September 2, Schnurman will write several columns per week and blog regularly on The News' BizBeat blog.

Schnurman brings deep regional experience to the position.  He has been writing about business in North Texas since 1986, and has been a columnist since 2001. Prior to joining The News, he wrote for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, DCEO and Dallas Times Herald.

"Mitch has substance as well as a compelling point of view," said Business editor Dennis Fulton. "He's not afraid to take unpopular stands on issues if that is where the facts take him. His column will enhance our already strong Business section."

As a reporter, he covered many of the region's top business stories, including Ross Perot's exit from General Motors and the failure of Texas' banking industry. As a columnist, he championed the lifting of the Wright Amendment, challenged Texas' small-government claims, and often weighed in on tax breaks for private developers. Seven times, he has been named one of the country's "Best in Business" columnists by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. 

This key hire is another example of The News' ongoing strategy to bolster its newsroom with top talent. Other recent hires include: Robert Wilonsky, arguably North Texas' most astute blogger, as assistant digital managing editor for dallasnews.com; David Duitch, an award-winning television news director, as editor of dallasnews.com; Miles Moffeit, as investigative reporter; and Marc Ramirez, as enterprise and feature writer. The News is also currently seeking an architecture critic in a joint appointment with the University of Texas at Arlington.

About The Dallas Morning News

Established in 1885, The Dallas Morning News (dallasnews.com) is Texas' leading newspaper and the flagship newspaper subsidiary of A. H. Belo Corporation. It has received nine Pulitzer Prizes since 1986, as well as numerous other industry awards recognizing the quality of its investigative and feature journalism, design and photojournalism. Its portfolio of print and digital products reaches an average daily audience of more than 1.1 million people and includes online news and information sites; iPhone, Android and iPad apps; Al Dia (www.aldiatx.com), the leading Spanish-language daily in North Texas; neighborsgo (neighborsgo.com), a consumer-generated community news outlet; and Briefing, the free, home-delivered quick-read.

To advertisers, the portfolio of products is represented by DMNmedia (www.DMNmedia.com), the marketing solutions group of The Dallas Morning News, Inc.

About A. H. Belo Corporation

A. H. Belo Corporation (NYSE: AHC), headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a distinguished newspaper publishing and local news and information company that owns and operates four daily newspapers and related websites.  A. H. Belo publishes The Dallas Morning News, Texas' leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes; The Providence Journal, the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the United States and winner of four Pulitzer Prizes; The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA), serving the Inland Southern California region and winner of one Pulitzer Prize; and the Denton Record-Chronicle.  The Company publishes niche publications targeting specific audiences, and its investments and/or partnerships include Classified Ventures, owner of Cars.com, and the Yahoo! Newspaper Consortium.  A. H. Belo also owns and operates commercial printing, distribution and direct mail service businesses.  Additional information is available at www.ahbelo.com or by contacting Alison K. Engel, Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, at 214-977-2248.

SOURCE The Dallas Morning News