Photo: DeSoto County News editor/contributor Bob Bakken at Mississippi Coliseum Thursday, March 4 to cover the Olive Branch girls’ basketball team as it won the MHSAA 6A state championship.
After six years of writing for DeSoto County News, I am announcing a new chapter in my journalism career.
In August 2020, I began writing for DeSoto County News after stepping away from a reporting and editing role at a DeSoto County newspaper. This change enabled me to keep reporting on local news, while also providing more influence over the way stories were crafted and shared. During that time, I brought with me experience gained as a reporter, sports editor, managing editor, and broadcaster, and worked to provide fair, accurate, and consistent local coverage.
Now, I am pleased to share that I have accepted an editorial position with The South Reporter newspaper in Holly Springs and its companion publication, Pigeon Roost News, which serves the Byhalia area. This transition marks my return to a weekly newspaper, something that has been a foundational part of my life in journalism.
I grew up around weekly newspapers. My first bylines were for my hometown paper, where I wrote about my high school baseball team—and my aunt was a township correspondent there. Those experiences shaped my understanding of the importance of strong local journalism, particularly in smaller communities.
Although I have worked in broadcasting, writing has consistently been at the core of my profession. I am excited to bring the skills I have developed as a reporter, editor, photographer, and community-focused journalist to Marshall County. My goal is to provide readers with fair, accurate, and meaningful coverage of the issues and events that matter most in Holly Springs, Byhalia, and the surrounding communities.
Marshall County is experiencing steady growth driven by industrial and population expansion, and I look forward to becoming part of the community and contributing to coverage during this important period.
DeSoto County News will continue serving DeSoto County, and The Morning View daily newsletter will also continue publication.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served readers in DeSoto County and will remain connected to the community. At the same time, I am excited to begin this new role and become part of the Holly Springs and Marshall County communities.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
