News & Announcements

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 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.

The Associated Press on Monday shared its revised AP Stylebook coronavirus topical guide, one year into the COVID-19 pandemic.

RELATED: Wisconsinites share how they are coping and adapting one year into the COVID-19 pandemic

The topical guide includes information on a wealth of common pandemic-related terms, such as long-hauler, superspreader and vaccine. It also clarifies usage of terms like curbside pickup, Zoom and social distancing. The guide is available on the AP Stylebook website and does not require an account for access.

The Wisconsin legislature is currently considering legislation that would give local governments the option to stop publishing a summary of their actions in your newspaper.

In an effort to oppose Senate Bill 55 and Assembly Bill 60, the
WNA is making additional, digital ads available to members for publication. The WNA urges members to publish these ads as soon as possible. Digital ads should link to your newspaper's coverage and/or editorials about the legislation or this post on the WNA's website that discusses the proposed bills and provides readers with a link to find their legislators. 

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Wisconsin newspapers this week are recognizing the importance of open government as a part of Sunshine Week, an annual nationwide celebration of open government that runs March 14-20.

RELATED: Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council names 'Opee' winners

The WNA has gathered several examples of editorials, columns and news coverage by members highlighting the importance of transparency. 

WNA member newspapers are encouraged to participate in Sunshine Week, the News Leaders Association's annual nationwide celebration of open government. This year's celebration is set for March 14-20.

Newspapers can get involved by publishing stories from the Sunshine Week Content Toolkit, or by publishing their own stories, editorials, cartoons or graphics on open government and the public's right to know. Journalists and news organizations also are encouraged to share their experiences, success stories, FOIA battles and more by tweeting @SunshineWeek or using the hashtag #SunshineWeek.