masks in schools, covid

Poll results indicate support for masks in schools

Polco users and readers visiting WNA member websites from Aug. 19 to 31 were asked whether they supported mask requirements in schools. Out of 715 verified respondents, 61% said they believe masks should be required for all students, teachers and staff in schools this fall, while 27% said masks should be optional for all.

Poll questions are available through a WNA partnership with Polco aimed at helping newspapers better engage readers and access enhanced data and insights. WNA members who have signed up for an account can access their local version of the new question, as well as local poll results, on their dashboards. Those who have not signed up can do so here.

John Foust, advertising, ad-libs

Foust: Lessons from a failed advertiser

Advertising alone can't keep a business going. From the perspective of a sales rep, it can be a frustrating and disappointing reality.

In his latest "Ad-libs" column, veteran sales trainer John Foust shares several lessons that can be learned from failed advertising campaigns — all of which can make for more successful and beneficial sales relationships in the future.

victor hoberg

Former Sheboygan Press ad manager Victor Hoberg dies at 99

Victor Hoberg, who worked nearly 50 years for The Sheboygan Press, died Thursday, Aug. 26, in Sheboygan. He was 99.

After graduating from Sheboygan North High School, Hoberg started working as a newspaper delivery driver for The Press. But just five months later, his career with the newspaper was interrupted when he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. In  1946, he returned to The Press, where he worked in the mailroom and delivered newspapers to carriers. He later became manager of the advertising services department, a role he held through his retirement in 1987.

mitch bliss

Mitch Bliss, former Janesville Gazette editor, dies at 96

H. Mitchell Bliss, who spent nearly 17 years as a part of The Janesville Gazette newsroom, died Thursday, Aug. 26, in Janesville. He was 96.

Bliss — no relation to the Bliss family that owned the newspaper — joined The Gazette in 1957 and served as a reporter until 1965, when he was named city editor. In 1983, after a five-year hiatus working in public relations for the State Bar of Wisconsin, he was named editor of the newspaper. It's a position he held until his retirement in 1989. 

bob franzmann

Former State Journal business editor Bob Franzmann dies at 86

Bob Franzmann, who worked for more than 30 years at the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison, died Monday, July 19. He was 86.

Born in Coloma, Mich., Franzmann attended UW-Milwaukee, where he discovered his love of journalism. He graduated in 1962 as a part of the school’s first class of journalism graduates before starting his newspaper career at the Rhinelander Daily News. He spent a year there before joining the State Journal newsroom, where he remained until his retirement in 1994.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association