Staff photo by Kevin Sweeney Daniel Olson, left, and Clay Schuldt took on their new positions at The Journal on Monday. Olson is replacing Schuldt as the city beat reporter, and Schuldt is assuming the position of news editor of The Journal.

NEW ULM — The Journal announces the promotion of Clay Schuldt to the position of news editor and the addition of Daniel Olson as staff reporter.

“I am very pleased to announce that Clay Schuldt has been promoted to news editor at The Journal,” said Publisher Grant Gibbons. ” Clay has done a great job as our lead reporter for many years and will carry on The Journal’s mission to comprehensively cover the local happenings in the New Ulm area. ” He is well known to many in the New Ulm.

Schuldt will be taking over from former editor Kevin Sweeney, who came out of retirement temporarily in October to fill in when the news editor position became vacant.

Schuldt, 36, joined The Journal on Feb. 4, 2014. A native of Caledonia, he graduated from Caledonia High School and Winona State University, with a degree in writing.

“First thing out of college, I was looking for some writing opportunities, and I found newspapers,” he said.

Schuldt worked for several years as a freelance stringer for weekly papers, first the Spring Grove Herald, then the Caledonia Argus and the Houston County Herald. He covered city councils, school boards, county board meetings and other features. Looking for full time work, he applied at The Journal and was hired.

“My first day here was the day after the Super Bowl,” he said.

As city hall reporter, Schuldt has covered city government, education and most news from New Ulm Medical Center. His interest in the arts, especially movies, has made him the arts and culture reporter as well.

As news editor, Schuldt will continue writing, as well as overseeing the newsroom and page production.

Olson started at The Journal on Monday. Olson, 22, is a St. James resident and a new graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall with a degree in history. Originally planning on being a social studies teacher, Olson decided on a change in his career path and is starting his career with The Journal.

“I’ve been to New Ulm many times, and know the community. I’m excited to start reporting here and give the people the information they need.”