With this issue, we are pleased to announce several changes in the staffing of CommonWealth.

First and foremost, we welcome Robert Keough as editor. A distinguished journalist and researcher, Bob Keough has covered the people and politics of Massachusetts for nearly 20 years. Bob got his start in journalism as editor of Dorchester Community News, a community newspaper serving Boston’s largest neighborhood, and went on to become editor of State House Watch, a publication covering Massachusetts government. Bob was also state government reporter for the Boston Business Journal and founding news editor of the Worcester Phoenix. Bob’s local and national credits include The Boston Globe Magazine, Education Week, Teacher Magazine, and Inc. He has been a contributing writer for CommonWealth since 1998 and is the author of Prisons and Sentencing in Massachusetts, a 1999 MassINC investigative report. We are extremely pleased that such an eminent, experienced professional has taken the helm of CommonWealth.

As of next issue, he will be joined by Millicent Lawton, who becomes an associate editor of CommonWealth. Before moving to Massachusetts in 1998, Millicent spent eight years on the staff of Education Week as a reporter and assistant editor. She has also reported for States News Service and the Gannett newspapers. Her other credits include The Christian Science Monitor, Harvard Education Letter, Scientific American Explorations, and, of course, CommonWealth.

Let us also offer a belated welcome to Heather Kramer, who took over last issue as art director of CommonWealth, replacing our founding art director, Meg Birnbaum, who has moved on to The American Prospect. Before striking out on her own as a graphic designer, Heather was assistant art director at New Age Journal.

And, lastly, we welcome back from leave associate editor Carol Gerwin and congratulate her and her husband, Michael Goldberg, on the arrival of their spectacular son, Max.

While the names on the masthead may change, CommonWealth‘s mission remains constant: to offer a compelling and insightful look into politics, ideas, and civic life in Massachusetts — and to be a fun read along the way. With a new team of talented professionals, we look forward to continuing to meet that challenge in the months and years ahead.