EVERETT — A reporter who has spent the past year steering The Daily Herald’s investigative reporting efforts is stepping into a new role this week as the local news editor.
Caleb Hutton, 32, will guide about a dozen journalists covering the rapidly growing communities that comprise Snohomish County. He will continue to have a hand in producing in-depth stories.
“Our mission is simple,” said Hutton, who has also reported on crime and courts. “Shine light on the truth. Hold people accountable when necessary. Always be fair, be human and be compassionate.”
The preceding local news editor, Eric Stevick, retired last week following a storied 40-year journalism career.
Zachariah Bryan, also 32 and a veteran reporter on the public safety beat, will serve as assistant news editor. He will lead the Herald’s environmental coverage, too.
Zachariah Bryan
Bryan arrived in Everett in 2018, following stints writing as a freelancer in Montana; for The Tundra Drums newspaper in Bethel, Alaska; and for several newspapers around Puget Sound. His roots are in Pierce County. He earned an English degree at Seattle Pacific University.
Hutton grew up in Kitsap County and graduated from Western Washington University with an English degree.
In college, he decided he wanted to write for a living. He launched a career in journalism in 2011 at The Bellingham Herald, where he spent six years as a breaking news reporter. In 2017, he moved an hour south to join The Daily Herald.
Since then, Hutton has taken home four first-place awards from the regional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, in the categories of Arts & Entertainment, Short-Form Feature and twice for Crime & Justice Reporting.
He’s also a two-time recipient of the C.B. BlethenMemorial Award in Deadline Reporting.
“In his four years at The Herald, Caleb has distinguished himself as both an exceptionally talented reporter and writer, but also as our enterprise and investigations editor,” Executive Editor Phil O’Connor said. “Caleb is inquisitive, insightful and thoughtful and cares deeply about the important role that journalism plays in building up our community. I look forward to his leadership of the news staff.”
Since October 2020, Hutton has been the Herald’s investigative and enterprise editor, spearheading the paper’s production of richly told stories that expose injustice and fulfill the highest purpose of journalism: public service.
“Meaningful local journalism is more precious than ever,” Hutton said. “People here in Snohomish County are so lucky to have such a solid crew of reporters and photographers on their side.”
Outside the newsroom, Hutton is known to go on long treks in rugged places, once taking a week to circumnavigate Glacier Peak. He’s a fan of the fish and chips at Ray’s Drive-In and the music of Yo La Tengo.
You can send tips or questions to the local news editors:
Caleb Hutton: chutton@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3454, or @snocaleb on Twitter.
Zachariah Bryan: zbryan@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3431, or @ZachariahTB on Twitter.
Jerry Cornfield: jcornfield@heraldnet.com; 360-352-8623; Twitter: @dospueblos
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