Briefing Archives | Page 26 of 28 | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

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.

A community with no local newspaper? That’s bad news

Aug. 13, 2020

In a recent column, America’s Newspapers CEO Dean Ridings asks readers to consider what their town would be without a newspaper.

In an effort to get the country involved in the passage of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, WNA members are encouraged to publish this opinion piece and the accompanying editorial cartoon — or write their own editorial — to educate the public about this important issue.

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

Poll: How does Joe Biden’s choice of Sen. Kamala Harris as VP influence your voting decision?

Aug. 13, 2020

A new poll question from Polco about how Joe Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris influences readers’ voting decision is now available to be used by WNA members.

This question and the related polling data are made available through a partnership between the WNA and Polco, a national civic engagement company based in Madison, that aims to help Wisconsin newspapers better engage readers and access enhanced data and insights.

Trio of weekly newspapers merge to form Buffalo County News

Aug. 4, 2020

Beginning with Thursday’s issue, subscribers to Buffalo County’s three weeklies will receive a newly merged newspaper, the Buffalo County News.

The newspapers last week announced the (Alma) Buffalo County Journal, Mondovi Herald-News and Cochrane-Fountain City Recorder would be merged to form one newspaper serving the entire county. All three newspapers shared the same parent company, Media One.

In search of the perfect headline

Aug. 1, 2020

A headline can make or break an ad. It’s important to look for connections between what the audience needs and how the advertiser can meet those needs.

Veteran sales trainer John Foust gives suggestions for doing just that in his latest installment of “Ad Libs.”

Local journalism needs a new ‘Sustainability Act’

Jul. 30, 2020

An editorial by the Vilas County News Review (which is available for republication by WNA members) asks the entire Wisconsin delegation to co-sponsor the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.

“Never has America’s free press been more threatened by economic insolvency, a development that could eliminate the work of local journalists who provide in-depth perspectives that inform their readership regarding important current events,” the editorial board writes.

RCFP, NPPA and CPJ to offer free training sessions for journalists covering 2020 conventions

Jul. 21, 2020

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the National Press Photographers Association and the Committee to Protect Journalists are offering offering makeup trainings for anyone who missed their sessions last week on the 2020 Democratic National Convention and other national political events.

The virtual training sessions will be hosted on Zoom on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Report for America opens newsroom applications, expands opportunity to hire more journalists

Jul. 21, 2020

Report for America applications are now open for news organizations interested in hosting emerging journalists for up to three years, beginning next June.

The national service places talented journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. The program recruits journalists and pays half the salary, up to $20,000. The other half is split between the host news organization and local donors.

Ask your Congressional representative to co-sponsor the Local Journalism Sustainability Act

Jul. 21, 2020

WNA members are encouraged to contact their lawmakers and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.

The bipartisan legislation provides direct financial incentives to support local journalism. Proposed tax credits include credit for local newspaper subscriptions, payroll credit for compensation of journalists and credit for advertising in local newspapers and local media.