JACKSON — Ed Darling, formerly editor and publisher of The Natchez Democrat, has been named editor and publisher of the Mississippi Business Journal.

Darling assumed his new role recently. His wife, the former Julie Moss of Natchez, and their son, Grant, will join him soon, moving to Jackson.

The Journal publishes a weekly newspaper with statewide distribution and a variety of business-related niche publications. It also produces msbusiness.com and sponsors a series of business recognition events throughout the year.

Darling, a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., is a veteran newspaper executive, starting his career at The Tuscaloosa News.

In addition to the Natchez position, he has been publisher of newspapers in Greenville and Cullman, Ala., Meridian and Picayune, and general manager at Duncan, Okla.

He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and was named the school’s outstanding journalism alumnus.

 Sons Scott and Chris and their wives, McKaye and Shelly respectively, live in Washington, D.C.