Barbara Augsdorfer has been named new editor at the Effingham Herald. Her first day was Jan. 25.

Augsdorfer is a native Southern Californian and earned a BA in communication arts from California Lutheran University in 1983, an elementary teaching credential from California State University San Bernardino, and in 2017 she earned an MBA from University of Phoenix. While completing her teaching credential, she worked as a K-12 substitute teacher, tutor, and contract teacher. She also taught community college as an adjunct and has a great admiration for the teaching profession. “Teaching is harder than it looks! Earning the MBA was really out of my comfort zone, and I was usually the oldest member of the class,” Augsdorfer said. “But I had great people in my cohort and it was still a lot of fun.”

Augsdorfer has more than 30 years of experience as a reporter and editor for a variety of newspapers and magazines in California, Arizona, and Indiana. “I’m really excited to jump in and report all the news and happenings in Effingham County,” Augsdorfer added. She has lived in the Savannah area since 2019 and was previously the education and nonprofits reporter in Chatham County for the Savannah Morning News. In her free time likes to walk her beagle, a spoiled-rotten rescue named Fred, and explore the local history.

“We are very excited to have Barbara on our team.  Her knowledge and background make her the ideal person to bring our readers factual, timely, and interesting news as well as the many wonderful stories of Effingham County residents,” said Nichole Buchanan, publisher of the Effingham Herald. “As your local newspaper, the Effingham Herald is and always will be where this county’s history is documented. Feel free to reach out to Barbara or myself if you have a story to tell.”