It’s no secret that this journalism industry of ours is having trouble. Last week the family-owned Spokesman-Review announced that 21 newsroom jobs would be axed, including a handful of editors. Editor in Chief Steve Smith resigned, saying the cuts were too drastic. As who’s going and who’s staying is negotiated this week, publisher W. Stacey Cowles announced managing editor Gary Graham’s promotion to the top editorial spot.I was lucky enough to work for Graham for three weeks a couple of winters ago. He’s somehow managed to dodge journalist cynicism, didn’t make fun of me when–in a fit of nervousness–I blurted out a pretty embarrassing story from a Spokesman Christmas party past, was rightly concerned when I screwed up and was very supportive when things went well. The Spokesman is lucky to have him and if anyone can graciously navigate the paper through the next few weeks of layoffs and the next few years of economic suckiness, he can. Good luck, Gary!