Ed Darling, a veteran editor and publisher at newspapers in Mississippi, Alabama and Oklahoma, has announced his retirement as publisher of the Mississippi Business Journal.

Darling's announcement Wednesday closes a career of 45 years in the newspaper business, including 35 as publisher of community newspapers in the three states. He said he will now pursue interests in community service.

He said a search for a new publisher of the Mississippi Business Journal is under way.

"I am fortunate to have worked with a number of talented professionals in quality organizations, to have lived in several remarkable communities and to have had unique opportunities along the way. It has been a good career and a rewarding experience," Darling said.

His career includes serving as editor and publisher of The Meridian Star, The Natchez Democrat and the Picayune Item in Mississippi and The Cullman Times and The Greenville Advocate in Alabama. He was executive editor and general manager of The Duncan Banner in Oklahoma, and served in management roles for Boone Newspapers Inc., American Publishing Co. and Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.

He is a past president and chairman of the Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation and a past president of The Associated Press managing editors groups in Alabama and Oklahoma.