Todd Sears has returned home to Nebraska as the new president and publisher of the Omaha World-Herald. He becomes just the seventh publisher in The World-Herald's history, dating to 1889.

Sears, 49, has most recently served as president and publisher at the State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill. Previously, he worked at two East Coast newspapers within BH Media Group, the Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary that also owns The World-Herald.

This column by Publisher and CEO Terry Kroeger was published May 5 in the Omaha World-Herald

Dear Readers,

I want to tell you a story. Don't worry. I'll keep it short.

This story is about you and us and how we're in it together, thick and thin. It's the story about our local newspaper and our community. We have been here for you in some form since 1865 – even before Nebraska was a state.

It's a story that at its most basic level is one of freedom. The stories we tell keep us all free by holding leaders accountable, by informing our community about what matters, and recording Omaha's history. Our stories also entertain, enlighten and inspire, forming the fabric of our community.

We can tell this story best because our storytellers – our employees – are part of the community, too. We are your friends and neighbors.

The Omaha World-Herald called its drive to bring in new business "Win Back Win Big," and with $480,000 in new advertising in the first quarter of 2017, the strategy was a big success.

What's the sticker price for college tuition? There are wide differences in the net price for higher-income students versus lower-income students. This collaborative Tuition Tracker helps families compare costs. It's also proven to be a gift to newspapers across the country.