Deseret News Names New Opinion Editor

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Deseret News, Utah's first news organization and longest continually operating business, today announced the hiring of Hal R. Boyd as Opinion Editor.

Boyd, a recent graduate of Yale Law School who previously worked as a reporter for the Deseret News, is an experienced commentator on politics, public policy and religious and cultural affairs, and will be spearheading the newspaper's revamped editorial and opinion sections. In his new role, Boyd will draft the Deseret News' official editorials, manage and edit columnists and op-ed contributors and contribute his own regular column. 

"We are pleased that a writer as dynamic and accomplished as Hal Boyd will be directing the continued evolution and expansion of our editorial page content," said Paul Edwards, Editor of the Deseret News. "Boyd is well respected for his nuanced and thoughtful analysis of politics and public policy, and we know that his addition to the team will enable us to provide even more provocative and hard-hitting insights to our readers."

In addition to the Deseret News, Boyd's writing has appeared in scholarly publications including the Oxford Handbook series and BYU Studies Quarterly. In 2015, he published "Psalms of Nauvoo" (RSC-Brigham Young University), and has co-authored two forthcoming books, "Are Christians Mormon?" (Ashgate) and "College for the Commonwealth" (University Press of Kentucky), both slated for publication in 2017.

Boyd graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University in 2011, where he studied philosophy. Afterward he worked as a staff writer for the Deseret News, before accepting a position at the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Later, he served as special assistant to Michael T. Benson, President of Eastern Kentucky University. Boyd holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, where he served as president of the campus chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society and was also an active member of Shabtai, a Jewish organization.

"I am delighted to be returning to the Deseret News," said Boyd. "It is the perfect perch from which to continue exploring issues at the intersection of politics, public policy, culture and religion. I look forward to contributing to the Deseret News team."

Boyd lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, a tax accountant, and their two sons.

About The Deseret News

Founded in 1850, the Deseret News (www.deseretnews.com and national.deseretnews.com) offers news, analysis and commentary for family-oriented audiences in Utah and across the country. The award-winning writers at the Deseret News keep its growing readership informed with real-world solutions that can make a positive difference in families and communities. The Deseret News, the first news organization and longest continuously-operating business in the state of Utah, operates the most visited newspaper website and most downloaded newspaper mobile app in Utah.

SOURCE Deseret News