Ledger-Enquirer names two new editorial leaders

The Ledger-Enquirer has named two editors to lead its day-to-day operations.

Blake Kaplan, a journalist from Gulfport, Mississippi, is the paper’s new regional executive editor.

Lauren Gorla, a journalist from Warner Robins, Georgia, has been promoted to senior editor.

“Lauren and I look forward to delivering the best possible news report to Ledger-Enquirer readers,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan, a graduate of Louisiana State University, has worked for the Sun Herald newspaper on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the last 25 years. He’s currently the paper’s executive editor and general manager. He has won numerous reporting awards over his career, and was part of a team that won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of Hurricane Katrina.

In his new role, effective immediately, Kaplan will be the executive editor of three papers: The Ledger-Enquirer, The Telegraph in Macon, Georgia, and the Sun Herald. He will remain based in Mississippi, but travel to Georgia often.

Gorla has already started her new job as senior editor.

In this job, Gorla will edit the stories produced by Ledger-Enquirer reporters and select which stories lead the ledger-enquirer.com website or appear on the paper’s front page. She also will be heavily involved in the Columbus community.

Gorla, a Georgia Southern University graduate, moved to Columbus in 2016 and most recently served as deputy editor for the Ledger-Enquirer and The Telegraph in Macon. She has edited and helped lead coverage of multiple award-winning pieces for the two papers.

“I’m grateful to be selected for this position and appreciate the support from Blake and our staff,” Gorla said. “We’re excited to keep producing excellent community journalism and look forward to connecting more often with readers in the weeks to come.”

Said Kaplan: “I could not be happier to have Lauren helping to lead our operation. She is a tremendous journalist, leader and person. The Ledger-Enquirer is a better place with her helping to steer the ship.”

This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 12:29 PM.