Ed Choate, former executive editor of the Muskogee (Oklahoma) Phoenix, is returning to the newspaper as the publisher. His appointment is effective immediately.
Currently publisher-editor of the McAlester News-Capital, he worked at the Phoenix from 2005 to 2018 — the last 11-plus years as the top editor.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to return to Muskogee and the Phoenix,” Choate said. “And I look forward to continuing the paper’s tradition of serving the community, including the advertisers and the readers.”
Choate succeeds Dale Brendel as Phoenix publisher. Brendel was recently announced as publisher of the Joplin (Missouri) Globe. Both papers are owned by CNHI, LLC. Brendel will continue as a senior group publisher for CNHI.
“Ed is a great choice to take over as publisher in Muskogee,” Brendel said. “He’s very familiar with the community and has done a great job over the years as editor and most recently as publisher in McAlester.”
Previously, Choate worked for 20 years in the sports departments at The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Orlando Sentinel, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) and The News of Greenville, South Carolina.
“I’m excited to return to Muskogee, where I have many good friends and relationships,“ Choate said. “It’s home to me.”
