Tri-State Newspaper Convention draws from 14 states

Feb. 5, 2021

Newspaper professionals from 13 states participated in this week’s Tri-State Newspaper Convention, presented by the Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin newspaper associations.

More than 500 registered for the two-day, virtual event that included more than 20 sessions on subjects from “Publishing Through a Pandemic” to “Covering Misinformation and Disinformation” and “Reporting on Race.” Attendees also interacted with peers and sponsors during roundtables and idea exchanges.

Edgerton publisher highlights importance of letters to the editor

Feb. 5, 2021

Edgerton Reporter publisher Diane Everson recently took a moment to highlight the importance of letters to the editor within a community. 

One of the most widely read sections of the newspaper, Everson notes the Reporter has been publishing letters from its readers since 1874. Everson's editorial offered helpful suggestions to readers about what makes a good letter and recognized the 55 individuals who submitted letters during 2020.

Mary Ann Gardon

Peshtigo Times publisher Mary Ann Gardon dies at 92

Feb. 5, 2021

Mary Ann (Pesch) Gardon, longtime editor and publisher of Peshtigo Times, died Monday, Feb. 1, in Peshtigo. She was 92.

A lifelong Peshtigo resident,
Gardon started working at the Times at age nine and began helping with the bookkeeping at age 14.
She continued working at the newspaper until after her 90th birthday. Following her father’s death in 1981, Gardon served as editor and publisher until her retirement.

Her brother, “Lucky Leo” Pesch, Jr., was a sports pages legend at the newspaper and is a member of the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame.

lee fensin

Longtime Freeman sports editor Lee Fensin dies at 76

Feb. 2, 2021

Lee A. Fensin, who spent his entire journalism career on the Waukesha Freeman sports staff, died Wednesday, Jan. 27, following complications from a stroke. He was 76.

Fensin spent 48 years with the Freeman. As the longtime sports editor, Fensin “was an institution at the Freeman and in the community,” publisher Bill Yorth said in Fensin’s obituary.

newspapers, digitization

Tri-County News, Augusta Area Times to merge

Feb. 2, 2021

After sharing pages since the mid-1980s, the (Osseo) Tri-County News and Augusta Area Times will merge this week into one publication, the newspapers announced.

Beginning Thursday, Feb. 4, the new publication will be known as the Tri-County Area Times. Sean Scallon, editor and reporter for both the News and Times, will continue to hold both roles with the merged publication.

Larry Gallup, Your Right to Know, open records

Your Right to Know: Officials’ behavior on masks is reckless and illegal

Feb. 2, 2021

No one in Wisconsin should have to put their lives at risk to attend a public meeting, Larry Gallup writes in the latest "Your Right to Know" column.

Yet to this day, Republican leaders in the Wisconsin state Assembly are holding meetings without requiring attendees to wear masks or offering a video option for those who don’t feel safe attending.

falling down, icy steps

Beware falling down at any age

Feb. 2, 2021

He was more embarrassed than injured, but icy steps led to a fall for Chris Hardie on a recent early morning walk with the family dog.

polco, coronavirus, voter registration, presidential debates, covid-19

Poll: Should masks be required in public places?

Feb. 1, 2021

A new poll question about whether masks should be required in public places is available to be used by WNA members. We are revisiting the question in light of Wisconsin Republicans’ efforts to end Gov. Tony Evers’ statewide mask mandate.

Results from our previous poll question about readers’ expectations of the next four years are also available. Of 669 respondents, 64% said their expectations were generally positive.

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