Burl Osborne To Lead Freedom Newspapers

The former News editor and publisher has served on the Southern California chain’s board since 2004, although he still lives in Dallas. So it’s no surprise the owner of the Orange County Register would turn to Osborne as its CEO heads to Playboy (which uncharitable souls might regard as jumping from the frying pan into the fire). Osborne spent 21 years building the News into the dominant news and information company in the Southwest, and he’s made no secret of his dismay/anger/disgust at how management has handled the company since he left in 2001. Now he’ll get to match his wits against the same disruptive economy the News has faced and see how he does.