Class of '96 Spotlight:
Gabe Whisnant, from The Shelby Star to Newsweek

In the Class of 1996 at Crest High School, we all had big dreams. Some of us went into business, healthcare, teaching, or trades. My friend Gabe Whisnant took a different path, one that would keep him deeply connected to the heartbeat of Shelby and Cleveland County for decades.

Today, Gabe serves as a News Editor at Newsweek, based right here in North Carolina — a long way from where his story started, yet still rooted in the values of honest, community-focused journalism.

A Local Kid Who Never Left the Story

Born and raised in Cleveland County, Gabe graduated from Crest High in 1996. Like many of us, he carried a strong sense of place with him. After starting his journalism career at the Goldsboro News-Argus, he returned home in 2006 as a sports reporter for The Shelby Star. He later served as sports editor for The Star and its sister paper, The Gaston Gazette, before moving into news leadership roles.

Whether covering Friday night lights, high school state championships, or the personal stories behind the athletes, Gabe has always understood that local sports are more than scores, they are about community pride, character, and connection.

Even as his career took him into digital leadership and larger roles, including time as news editor at The Star and later executive positions across the Carolinas, his roots in Shelby have remained strong. As an executive editor, Gabe led award-winning coverage of major stories — including the 2015 capture of Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof and the Alex Murdaugh double murder case. Prior to joining Newsweek in 2023, he directed daily publications across North and South Carolina.

Why Local Journalism Still Matters in 2026

In an era dominated by national news feeds and social media highlights, outlets like The Shelby Star remain essential. Gabe and his colleagues have spent years chronicling the triumphs, challenges, and everyday heroes of Cleveland County.

• ✦It connects neighbors through shared stories
• ✦It celebrates young athletes and coaches
• ✦It reflects the good and the areas needing attention
• ✦It preserves small-town sports history national outlets miss

This kind of community storytelling builds the social fabric that makes Shelby and surrounding areas special.

How Digital Tools Are Helping Local Media Thrive

Here is where the conversation gets exciting for those of us in the digital space. As a web agency owner helping local businesses grow online, I have seen firsthand how modern websites, SEO, and digital strategies are giving institutions like The Shelby Star new life.

• • Reach readers on mobile devices, where most people consume news today
• • Deliver stories faster with richer media like photos, video, and interactive features
• • Improve visibility in Google for searches like Shelby High football scores and Crest High athletics
• • Build sustainable revenue through stronger user experience and engagement

The best local journalists, like Gabe, blend old-school reporting instincts with a modern digital mindset. That balance keeps traditional media relevant and impactful in 2026.

A Class of '96 Connection

It has been fun watching Gabe's journey from the sidelines at Crest High, to the press box at The Shelby Star, and now to the national news desk at Newsweek. His commitment to honest, community-focused journalism is something our entire graduating class can be proud of.

To read some of his past work covering Shelby and Cleveland County sports and news, visit The Shelby Star website. Many of his bylines from his time there still resonate with locals today. And to follow his current work, check out his author page at Newsweek.

Here's to the Storytellers

In a fast-changing world, people like Gabe Whisnant remind us why local voices matter. They keep the spirit of Shelby sports, and Shelby itself, alive for the next generation.