Carol Hunter, one of the longest-serving executive editors in the 175-year history of the Des Moines Register, announced Thursday she is retiring after a 45-year career in journalism. Her announcement came during a meeting with the Register staff, 85% of whom she noted she had a hand in hiring or promoting. It was greeted with applause that Communities Editor Kim Norvell called a "sad clap, but well deserved." Hunter, 67, who will step down at the end of the year, has spent almost a decade guiding the Register newsroom. She was appointed on Nov. 15, 2016, after her second stint as the Register’s interim editor, beginning the previous August. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #DesMoinesRegister #DesMoines #Iowa