Good news from Denver, specifically the Rocky Mountain News.

Phill Casaus, the former editor of the Albuquerque Tribune, starts at the paper later this month as its senior editor for local news. 

Here’s an excerpt of a memo from Rocky Mountain News managing editor Deb Goeken announcing Phill’s imminent arrival at the paper:

Phill Casaus, former editor of the Albuquerque Tribune, has been named Senior Editor for Local News at the Rocky. Phill’s marching orders are to oversee the metro staff, working with city editor Eric Brown, deputy city/business editor Gil Rudowsky and the fine team of ACEs to produce a local report that is as hard-edged and creative and beautifully written as we can make it. Phill was editor of the Trib until Feb. 23, when the afternoon paper closed. He is a lifelong journalist who is passionate about the crucial role of a newspaper in its community and about the great gift of a finely-written story. 

Those of us who lamented the death of the Trib have watched former staffers land jobs here in NM and elsewhere in recent months. But Phil’s name never popped up, forcing us to wait on news of where a great journalist would land and where his influence soon would be felt. Now we know.

"I think the newsroom at the Rocky Mountain News is in for a great ride," said Independent fellow Joel Gay, a former assistant city editor at the Trib. "Phill Casaus is a story machine and a wonderful human being." 

Good luck, Phill.