News & Announcements | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

Orestes Baez appointed to fill open WNA Board seat

Jun. 25, 2021

Orestes Baez has joined the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Board of Directors, accepting an appointment by WNA President Gregg Walker to fill an open seat.

Baez, who serves as regional president of southern Wisconsin for Adams Publishing Group, will fill one of the four daily newspaper seats on the WNA Board. He replaces Randy Rickman, who resigned after being named regional president for southern Minnesota at APG.

Don’t miss our second webinar on newspaper relevance (and watch the first one if you missed it)

Jun. 25, 2021

Last year, the WNA helped launch a new initiative called The Relevance Project, which highlights the importance of newspapers to their communities.

Next month, we’re enlisting the help of project director Tom Silvestri to teach WNA members what The Relevance Project is all about. Silvestri will present two webinars discussing what the project is all about and sharing its free resources, which are aimed at advancing community newspapers and their hard-charging staffs.

the milwaukee times, juneteenth strawberry soda

Milwaukee newspaper shares Juneteenth history through strawberry soda sales

Jun. 18, 2021

The Milwaukee Times, a weekly newspaper that focuses on positive news in the Black community, is selling Juneteenth Strawberry Soda as part of a fundraiser that also serves to share the history of the holiday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported this week.

Proceeds from the soda sales go toward the newspaper's Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Fund, named in honor of one of The Times' original founders.

For the past five years, the newspaper has sold the soda out of its office at 1936 N. King Drive during the summer months. This year, The Times expanded the soda's reach by distributing it to three local businesses.

The Press Times moves to downtown Green Bay office

Jun. 10, 2021

The Press Times has moved to a new office in downtown Green Bay, the newspaper announced last week.

Previously located just west of Green Bay in Howard, the newspaper will now operate out of the top floor of the BMO Harris Bank building at 310 W. Walnut St. The move puts The Press Times in the heart of the city's historic Broadway District, home to many local shops and restaurants.

Wisconsin Media Group to acquire Unified Newspaper Group

Jun. 10, 2021

Wisconsin Media Group, an affiliate company of O’Rourke Media Group, announced on Thursday plans to acquire Unified Newspaper Group. The transaction will close on June 30, 2021.

Unified Newspaper Group is composed of four weekly newspapers and digital websites that serve the communities of Oregon, Verona, Fitchburg, and Stoughton.

Microsoft launches NEW News Lab with Wisconsin newsrooms, foundations

Jun. 3, 2021

Microsoft has given $300,000 to help six Wisconsin newsrooms launch a collaborative journalism lab that will produce in-depth local reporting projects, which will be made available for republication by other news organizations.

The NEW News Lab — a collaboration between Fox Valley 365, Green Bay Press-Gazette, The (Appleton) Post-Crescent, The (Green Bay) Press Times, Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Watch — will report on racism as a public heath crisis, affordable housing shortages, local school funding and local judicial systems.

MMC publisher Patrick Wood releases new book of columns

Jun. 3, 2021

Patrick Wood, Multi Media Channels CEO and publisher of its weekly newspapers and other publications, has released a new book, the company announced this week.

The book, “Dear Reader: Meditations, Musings and Moments in Time,” is a compilation of columns Wood has written for MMC newspapers over the last four years. In the book release announcement, it is described as a “beacon” intended to uplift and enlighten readers.

U.S. Postal Service announces starkly higher postage rates

May. 28, 2021

The United States Postal Service today announced a planned adjustment of postage rates for the public and commercial mail users, the National Newspaper Association announced. For community newspapers using periodicals mail to reach readers, the average rate increase will be nearly 9%, effective August 29. The first-class stamp will move from 55 to 58 cents.

The rate increase is part of a new USPS business plan that also includes a weakening of service standards for mail that is moving across the country.

Evers signs bill advancing state’s public notice laws

May. 28, 2021

Gov. Tony Evers last week signed into law legislation that further ensures our industry’s role in the continued publication of public notices.

Each amendment aims to cement the position of community newspapers as papers of record, while also promoting ease of access and increased readership of legal notices. The legislation does not change the eligibility status of newspapers currently certified to publish legal notices.

DOJ issues advisory regarding public records access under Marsy’s Law

May. 14, 2021

The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of Open Government last week issued an advisory regarding the applicability of the state’s public records laws under Marsy’s Law.

The advisory instructs records custodians to continue applying the balancing test when responding to requests for records that contain information about crime victims, but notes the recent constitutional amendment strengthens the public policy interest in protecting victims’ rights.

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