News & Announcements

summer internship program

Students, newspapers sought for 2021 summer internship program

Apr. 23, 2021

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation is accepting applications from students and member newspapers for its 2021 Summer Internship Program.

Up to four college journalists will be placed at WNA-member newspapers across the state during the summer of 2021. Schedules — including any possibility of remote work during the pandemic — will vary based on the newspapers’ preferences, but interns will earn approximately $3,200 for an eight-week, full-time internship. Participating newspapers will receive a stipend from the WNA Foundation to help cover costs, but must provide at least $1,200 in matching funds for intern wages.

Bill would require legislators to stop deleting public records

Apr. 22, 2021

A bill introduced earlier this month seeks to eliminate the Wisconsin statute that excludes legislators and their staff from having to retain certain records, effectively allowing them to skirt the state’s public records law.

Senate Bill 289 was introduced on April 8 by Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) and Kelda Roys (D-Madison). The Wisconsin Newspaper Association has registered its support of the legislation with the Ethics Commission.

pat simms

Pat Simms’ family creates journalism scholarship fund

Apr. 20, 2021

The family of longtime Wisconsin State Journal reporter Pat Simms has created a journalism scholarship fund in her name. The fund will be used to support students "with a passion to study journalism."

Simms, who served as a journalism instructor and adviser after retiring from the State Journal in 2011, died Monday, April 5, after a fight with cancer.  Those interested in contributing to the fund are directed to send donations to the M. Patricia Simms Journalism Scholarship Fund, c/o Meanwell Investment Group, 1 Erdman Place, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53717-2171. 

gavel, judge, court, open meetings, walking quorum, public records

Appeals court upholds dismissal of walking quorum case

Apr. 2, 2021

A court of appeals panel has upheld the dismissal of an open-meetings complaint filed by Heather Holmes, general manager of The Lakeland Times and The Northwoods River News, the newspapers reported Friday.

The complaint contended the Rhinelander mayor and four members of its city council participated in an illegal walking quorum through a series of personal communications, email messages, in-person meetings, and communications that resulted in the writing and signing of a letter of reprimand to the city council president. The newspaper is looking at possible next steps in the case, which could include another appeal.

associated press, shadid award winners

AP investigation wins 2021 Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics

Mar. 25, 2021

Associated Press investigative reporters Margie Mason and Robin McDowell are the winners of the 2021 Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics, the Center for Journalism Ethics at UW-Madison has announced.

Mason and McDowell earned the award for their investigative series on palm oil labor abuses. They interviewed more than 130 current and former palm oil workers in Indonesia and Malaysia, chronicling instances of abuse such as rape, trafficking, slavery and child labor.  The reporters will be presented with the award during an online ceremony in May.

34 Schroeder Ct., Suite 220
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 283-7620

Wisconsin Newspaper Association