hail

Hardie tells a hail of a story

Severe weather goes part and parcel with summer — and this year is no exception. Recently, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms swept through the state of Wisconsin, capping several days of unsettled weather.

covid-19 and newspapers, coronavirus, covid-19, newspapers

Delta variant poll results suggest concern among readers

Polco users and readers visiting WNA member websites from July 28 to Aug. 10 were asked how concerned they were about the Delta variant of COVID-19. We asked this question in light of a surge in new COVID-19 cases fueled by the variant that prompted new CDC mask-wearing guidance.

hall of fame, susan shemanske, kent eymann, jean alexander, elliott maraniss

WNA seeking 2021 Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame nominations

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association is accepting nominations for the 2021 Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame class through Monday, Sept. 13. Inductees will be announced by Sept. 30, and recognized on Thursday, Nov. 18, at The Madison Club.

Nominations are open to anyone — living or deceased — who has contributed above and beyond the call of duty to the Wisconsin newspaper industry. This includes publishers, editors, reporters, photographers or any other newspaper personnel who’ve made significant contributions to the 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.

Jim O'Rourke

O’Rourke Media Group, Modulist announce partnership

O'Rourke Media Group, which publishes several Wisconsin newspapers, has partnered with media services company Modulist, the companies announced Tuesday. Through the partnership, Modulist will handle the processing of obituaries, business announcements and personal milestones, as well as create an online portal through which readers, funeral homes and other businesses can quickly and easily submit listings.

O'Rourke Media Group, which launched in October 2018, publishes the (Hudson) Star-Observer, Ripon Commonwealth Press, and (Kiel) Tri-County News. It also recently acquired Unified Newspaper Group, which includes four suburban Madison weekly newspapers: the Fitchburg Star, The Oregon Observer, The Stoughton Courier Hub and The Verona Press.

Paul Pehler

Paul Pehler named president of River Valley Media Group

Lee Enterprises has named Paul Pehler president of the River Valley Media Group and director of local sales and marketing. He takes over the group’s top leadership position, succeeding former president and publisher Sean Burke.

For the last two years, Pehler served as regional advertising director for the company. Prior to that role, he worked at the group’s newspapers in Chippewa Falls, La Crosse and Winona, Minn., including as advertising director for The Chippewa (Falls) Herald

Wisconsin Newspaper Association