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WNA Foundation celebrates newspaper pioneers during Hall of Fame banquet

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation inducted five new members to the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame during a banquet on Thursday, Nov. 10, at The Madison Club in Madison, Wisconsin.

RELATED: See photos from the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame banquet
WATCH: See video tributes to each of the inductees

Inductees included Peter Fox, a former editor of The (Racine) Journal Times who served as director of the WNA from 2004 to 2010, and Chuck Gauger, who retired as general manager of the Trempealeau County Times in 2019 after a nearly 50-year career in newspapers. Three inductees were honored posthumously. They included Emma Brown, co-founder of Fort Atkinson's first newspaper and the state's first successful female publisher, Dickey Chapelle, a pioneering journalist and photographer known for her work as a war correspondent, and Phil Muench, a longtime pressman at the Grant County Herald Independent who died in 2020 following a battle with COVID-19. 

5 to be inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame

The deadline to purchase tickets to the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame banquet is Thursday, Nov. 3.

The WNA Foundation will induct the following newspaper leaders during a ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 10, at The Madison Club, 5 E. Wilson St., Madison: Emma Brown (posthumous), The Wisconsin Chief, Fort Atkinson; Dickey Chapelle (posthumous), Shorewood native, photographer and one of the first female war correspondents, killed in Vietnam; Charles "Chuck" Gauger, Trempealeau County Times, Whitehall; Peter Fox, Wisconsin Newspaper Association; and Phil Muench (posthumous), Grant County Herald Independent, Lancaster.

wisconsin civics games contest, first amendment, editorial writing, editorial cartoon

Civics Games editorial contest deadline extended until Nov. 14

The deadline for the Wisconsin Civics Games Editorial Writing & Cartoon Contest, presented by the WNA Foundation, has been extended until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14. With the extension, winners will now be announced in early January, at which time winning entries will be made available for publication by WNA newspapers.

Thank you to the many members who have published stories and ads to help promote the contest. Any assistance in publicizing the extended deadline would be much appreciated!

WNA Foundation seeking sponsors, congratulatory ads for Hall of Fame Banquet

As part of the WNA Foundation’s mission to increase public awareness and appreciation of newspapers, it annually recognizes visionaries and innovators in the industry. This year’s Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame banquet will be held on Thursday, Nov. 10 at The Madison Club, 5 E. Wilson St., Madison.

Your support — through sponsorships and congratulatory ads — helps us better celebrate inductees and helps support the WNA Foundation. 

Oneida County sheriff to be honored with open government award

Oneida County sheriff Grady Hartman will be honored with the Wisconsin Newspaper Association's inaugural Sunshine in Government award.

The award, launched this year by the WNA Board of Directors, recognizes efforts by Wisconsin citizens and public officials to protect and strengthen open government. It will be presented during the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 10, at The Madison Club in downtown Madison.

wisconsin civics games contest, first amendment, editorial writing, editorial cartoon

WNA Foundation kicks off second annual Civics Games Editorial Writing & Cartoon Contest

The WNA Foundation is excited to announce the second annual Wisconsin Civics Games Editorial Writing & Cartoon Contest, which aims to increase civic education and engagement while celebrating the rights established by the First Amendment.

The contest is open to all Wisconsin middle and high school students, including home-schooled students. Essays and cartoons should focus on the importance of the First Amendment. Students are encouraged to draw from personal experiences, current events and historical examples.

Nominations for WNA Sunshine in Government Award due Sept. 26

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association is seeking nominations for its new Sunshine in Government Award, which aims to recognize efforts by Wisconsin citizens and public officials to protect and strengthen open government. The inaugural award will be presented during the WNA Foundation Hall of Fame awards banquet on Thursday, Nov. 11.

Nomination materials should be sent via email to WNA Membership & Communications Director Julia Hunter by Monday, Sept. 26.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association