Briefing Archives | Page 25 of 28 | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel vacates longtime home ahead of move

Sep. 13, 2020

Ahead of a planned move in November, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has begun clearing out its longtime home in a historic downtown building, the Milwaukee Business Journal reports.

While its staff has been working remotely since March due to the pandemic, the Journal Sentinel is vacating the offices at 333 W. State St., as a local developer prepares to convert the building into apartments. A drone video shot by photographer Mike De Sisti offers a last glimpse of the empty building prior to the move.

Cap Times announces plans for virtual Idea Fest

Sep. 6, 2020

Cap Times Idea Fest, now in its fourth year, will be held virtually over a two-week span, editor and publisher Paul Fanlund announced this week.

As in past years, the 2020 Idea Fest lineup features several prominent speakers. This year’s speakers include former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, investigative reporter and author Bob Woodward, Gov. Tony Evers and UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank.

Gannett Foundation to give $2.3 million to community-building nonprofits

Sep. 6, 2020

The Gannett Foundation on Tuesday announced a $2.3 million crowdfunding and grant program for community-building nonprofits.

The initiative offers local nonprofits a national platform on which to fundraise, in addition to grants for the most exceptional projects. Last year, three Wisconsin nonprofits were recipients of grants totaling $45,000.

Sharpen your writing by reading stories aloud

Sep. 1, 2020

Reading text aloud performs two basic yet critical analytical and diagnostic functions — it quickly shows if the prose is smooth, flows well and is pleasing to the eye and ear and where the clunks in copy are located; also, it reveals whether information is being presented in a logical, clear and meaningful progression, writes veteran journalist Bart Pfankuch.

It’s perhaps the best way for a writer or editor to check their work for flow, accuracy, clarity and meaning.

polco, coronavirus, voter registration, presidential debates, covid-19

Poll: Which issue is most important to you in the 2020 election?

Aug. 27, 2020

A new poll question about which issue is most important to voters in the 2020 election is now available to be used by WNA members.

Results from our previous poll question about Kamala Harris’ impact on voting decisions also are available. Out of 328 respondents, 38% said it had no impact on their decision. Of the remaining voters, 30% said it made them more likely to vote for Joe Biden and 26% said it made them more likely to vote for Donald Trump.

Read any good catalogs lately?

Aug. 27, 2020

There are other approaches to advertising creativity, but catalogs excel when it comes to descriptions of product features and benefits, writes veteran sales trainer John Foust.

In his latest installment of “Ad-Libs,” Foust points to some standout examples from L.L. Bean catalogs.

National Newspaper Week set for Oct. 4-10

Aug. 20, 2020

The 80th annual National Newspaper Week, a celebration of the impact newspapers have in their communities, will be observed Oct. 4-10. This year’s theme is “America Needs Journalists.”

The annual effort, which makes content available to newspapers nationwide, is sponsored by Newspaper Association Managers, Inc., a consortium of North American trade associations representing the industry.

Volunteers needed to judge the Texas Better Newspaper Contest

Aug. 19, 2020

As contest season approaches, the WNA is asking members to consider volunteering to be a judge for our partners at the Texas Press Association.

TPA needs at least 60 WNA members to sign up by Sept. 25 to help judge their contest. All judging will be done online and is scheduled to begin Oct. 19.

Madison’s alt-weekly Isthmus announces shift to nonprofit business model

Aug. 14, 2020

Nearly five months after Isthmus announced in March it was shutting down indefinitely due to the pandemic, the Madison alternative weekly has decided to become a nonprofit news organization.

While the details of the transition to nonprofit status remain uncertain, it will allow Isthmus to seek funding in ways it could not previously, such as foundation grants and tax-deductible donations from readers and local businesses.

The Gazette celebrates 175 years in Janesville

Aug. 14, 2020

Established three years before Wisconsin became a state, The (Janesville) Gazette on Friday marked the 175th anniversary of its first issue, printed Aug. 14, 1845.

In recognition of Friday’s anniversary, the newspaper published a timeline of major events in its history, along with several historical photos of past staff, newsrooms and printing operations.