Meet Jeff Schmucker

Moving from Chambersburg, Pa., to Toledo, Jeff Schmucker is The Blade’s new night city editor.

Jeff previously worked as city editor for Public Opinion, a daily newspaper in south central Pennsylvania where he coached reporters, edited stories, and planned coverage for investigative and other special projects. He also wrote editorials and columns for the opinion section. During his time there, he won first place for Best Column writing from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors Association.

As a journalist, Jeff is passionate about investigative reporting and open records/open meetings laws. He successfully tested a new Freedom of Information Act law in Kansas to reveal mismanagement by the local chamber of commerce in its use of thousands of economic development dollars provided by taxpayers. He also exposed such practices as school district officials’ attempts to falsify school violence statistics and an attempt by the school board to hide a DUI incident involving the district’s superintendent.

He brings that same passion as an editor when it comes to helping and coaching reporters.

“There’s nothing I love more than working with reporters on hard-news and investigative projects,” Jeff said. “Whether it’s helping reporters collect data or advising them on moving a story forward, I’ll always be in their corner.”

Prior to becoming an editor, Jeff was a reporter in Virginia, Kansas, and Florida where he specialized in covering city government, education, and special projects. He earned first-place awards in investigative, series, education, and feature writing. He also holds two first-place awards for photography.

Jeff is engaged and has two children, Bellaluna (6) and Thor (3), who he devotes most of his time to when not working. His other interests include talking comics, watching bad horror movies, and playing Texas Hold’em. He is also a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

“Overall, I’m just excited to be a part of The Blade and its newsroom,” he said. “When my family and I made the move to Toledo, I did so with the intent that this would be where we made our forever home and that this newspaper would be where I worked for many years to come. After having met more of the staff here in the past two days, I know I’ve made the right decision.”

Jeff’s email address is jeffschmucker@theblade.com and his work extension is 6085. Welcome to The Blade, Jeff.