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The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation on Friday honored 26 industry leaders during this year’s Memorial Pylon virtual ceremony.  Those unable to join us for the live premiere can watch a replay of the ceremony below or on our YouTube channel.

The video features photos and biographies of the inductees along with memories shared by family, friends and former colleagues. 

Beth Bennett, executive director of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, was elected president of Newspaper Association Managers today during the group’s 98th annual conference in Madison. Bennett has led the WNA since 2010 and previously served as the Illinois Press Association’s director of government relations. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Newspaper Association and is a past president of TEMPO Madison.

The directors of 29 newspaper associations from across the United States and Canada attended the conference this week at The Edgewater Hotel. Attendees participated in several sessions, including one on philanthropic journalism, during which WNA Membership & Communications Director Julia Hunter discussed fundraising opportunities for newspapers and highlighted the Wisconsin Community News Fund.

The WNA Foundation will honor 26 industry leaders during a virtual Memorial Pylon ceremony at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20.

While we miss gathering with our members and their families at the Trees for Tomorrow campus in Eagle River, Wis., we look forward to the participation of those across the state and the country who would not regularly have the opportunity to join us — and we're asking for all of your help! We know our inductees made a lasting impact on the lives of many, and we’d like to include as many memories as possible of each honoree. Upload a video message, share photos or submit your memory in writing using our online form or email them to WNA Membership & Communications Director Julia Hunter by Monday, Aug. 2.

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.

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.

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.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association members are being asked to consider volunteering to judge the West Virginia Press Association's annual newspaper contest. Without reciprocal judging partnerships, the WNA would not be able to hold our annual contests.

WVPA needs at least 70 WNA members to sign up by May 23 to judge across a variety of editorial, photography, design and advertising categories. All judging will be done online and is scheduled to begin in late May or early June.