On the same day Knoxville News Sentinel news reporter Jamie Satterfield picked up a first-place journalism award for her coverage of a coal ash spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston plant more than a decade ago, the veteran reporter announced on Twitter that she had parted ways with her employer of 27 years.
Satterfield has not publicly spoken about the reason behind her break with the Knoxville News Sentinel – owned by Gannett Co., the nation’s largest newspaper chain.
“I love every person who ever allowed me the privilege of finding the truth of their circumstances and every reader who supported me,” she said in response to questions about her departure.
Joel Christopher, the newspaper’s executive editor, said in an email Sunday he was restricted from comment about personnel matters.
“Jamie has been a valuable member of our staff, and her work speaks for itself. We appreciate her collegiality and myriad contributions, and wish her nothing but the best in the future,” he said.