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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.

pat reilly at podium

Dodgeville publisher Pat Reilly elected WNA president

J. Patrick "Pat" Reilly, co-owner of The Dodgeville Chronicle, has been named president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.

WNA Past President Gregg Walker passed the gavel to Reilly during the Better Newspaper Contest awards banquet on Friday, June 24, in Madison, and the appointment became official on Thursday following a unanimous vote at the WNA annual meeting, which was held virtually. In addition to Reilly and Walker, who will serve a term as past president, the following members were elected to serve as officers on the WNA Board: George Stanley, editor and senior vice president of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Kris O’Leary, publisher of The (Edgar) Record Review and Jeff Patterson, president of APG Media of Wisconsin.

Bill Howe at podium

Longtime Wisconsin newspaper publisher Bill Howe dies at 99

William H. “Bill” Howe, publisher emeritus of the (Prairie du Chien) Courier Press and 2018 inductee to the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame, died Friday, July 22, at the age of 99.

As the third of five generations of Howes who owned and published the Courier Press, Howe joined the family business in 1946. He and his brother Lyman “Jack” Howe — also a Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame inductee — led the Courier until retiring in 1997. During his career, he also co-owned The Guttenberg (Iowa) Press and North Iowa Times in McGregor, Iowa.

us capitol

Help pass the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act

The next two weeks are crucial for getting the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA)— a bipartisan bill that would allow news publishers to collectively negotiate with Facebook and Google for fair compensation for the use of their content — over the finish line. The bill is going to markup in the House the last two weeks in July, and we are asking you to help us with a BIG push to get support from as many members of Congress as possible.

WNA seeking nominations for Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association is accepting nominations for the 2022 Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame class through Monday, Aug. 15.

Nominations are open to anyone — living or deceased — who has contributed above and beyond the call of duty to the Wisconsin newspaper industry. It is expected that the individual should have dedicated at least 15 years to newspapering. However, length of service is not a major determinant.

The Monroe Times, EagleHerald named 2021 Newspapers of the Year

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation honored the work of newspapers across the state during the WNA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest Awards Banquet on Friday, June 24, at The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club in downtown Madison, Wis.

Recipients of 2021 Newspaper of the Year Awards were Publisher Todd Colling and the EagleHerald, Marinette, (Daily Division) and Publisher John Ingebritsen and The Monroe Times (Weekly Division).

Wisconsin Newspaper Association