Youmans
By BOB GUSTIN, For The Democrat
Abigail Youmans has been named the new editor of the Brown County Democrat.
A Brown County native, she has worked at the newspaper since 2019. Her duties have included community news briefs, classified and legal ads, and customer service. Her duties shifted to full-time reporting about a year ago.
She replaces Suzannah Couch, who took a position with the Regional Opportunity Initiative, headquartered in Bloomington.
Youmans graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus with an English degree and a concentration in creative writing. She and her husband, Scott, who is an EMT with IU Health Lifeline, live just outside of Nashville.
“There’s a Post-It note on my desk that says, ‘We are here to help spread the truth,’” Youmans said. “I can’t remember when I wrote it down, or who said it, but that philosophy guides every question and story in our newsroom. It has since before I got here.
“This is an award-winning newspaper that has aimed at providing readers with clear, thoughtful and integrity-driven news, highlighting this unique, creative and honest community. My goal is to carry that on to the very best of my ability.”
The daughter of Rusty and Bonnie Alderdice, Youmans has lived in Brown County all her life. She entered the workforce at 14 years old, working in her extended family’s five shops in Nashville, as well as four other shops in town. She has also worked in the kitchen of CYO Camp Rancho Framasa, feeding hundreds of children during summer camp, and was a paraprofessional in a preschool classroom at Sprunica Elementary School.
“I’m excited and grateful for this opportunity to serve my community and look forward to the future,” she said.
“Our readers are extremely fortunate to have a talented individual like Abby to step into the editor’s role,” said Bud Hunt, group publisher for AIM Media Indiana, owner of the Brown County Democrat.
“The fact she is a Brown County native, with a passion to tell the stories of her community, is a bonus from which we will all benefit. The Brown County Democrat has been recognized as being among Indiana’s best weekly newspapers. It has won a blue ribbon from the Hoosier State Press Association three times, and I believe that speaks volumes about the quality of this newspaper.
“I’ve watched Abby grow and assume additional responsibility since joining our team. She is ready for the next step in her career as a leader of the Democrat. Our readers will appreciate the commitment, enthusiasm and ideas of our new editor.”
