News & Announcements | Page 196 of 382 | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

Jonathan Stefonek named DeForest Times-Tribune managing editor

Jan. 28, 2021

Jonathan Stefonek has been named managing editor of the DeForest Times-Tribune, the newspaper announced Tuesday.

Stefonek most recently worked as communications coordinator for Wisconsin United Methodist Church. Before his brief stint with the church, he served as writer and content specialist for Sauk Prairie Healthcare and as a reporter for the Portage Daily Register. Stefonek earned bachelor’s degrees in marketing communications and broadcast journalism from UW-River Falls and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa.

Bob Heffner, former Chronotype editor, dies at 89

Jan. 28, 2021

Robert “Bob” Heffner, who worked more than three decades for The (Rice Lake) Chronotype died Saturday, Jan. 23, in Rice Lake. He was 89.

A Barron County native, Heffner began his career in newspapers while in high school, working as a printer’s devil and later a printer and pressman at the Barron News-Shield, where he remained until 1951, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After returning to the News-Shield for a few years, he took a reporting job with The Chronotype in 1960 and remained with the newspaper until his retirement in 1993. During his 33 years there, he held a number of roles, including sports editor, news editor and editor.

Former Post-Crescent journalist Michele Leber dies at 82

Jan. 28, 2021

Michele Mathews Leber, who started her career at The Post-Crescent in Appleton, died Friday, Jan. 1, at her home in Arlington, Va. She was 82.

An Appleton native, Leber attended Northwestern University, where she served as feature editor of The Daily Northwestern student newspaper. After college, she began her professional journalism career in Appleton. She later earned her master's degree in library science and worked as branch manager for several libraries in Fairfax County, Va.

A closer look at local government spending in Wisconsin

Jan. 27, 2021

As a pandemic and economic turmoil underscore the value of critical local government services, Wisconsin ranks 15th among the states in local government spending, but 3.6% below the per capita national average.

Polar vortex predictions portend doom

Jan. 27, 2021

I keep hearing the dreaded polar vortex that brought -40 degrees and even worse to our neck of the woods two years ago may be back. Soon. Assuredly. It’s coming. Sometime. Maybe

Final spending reports show legislative Democrats outspent GOP by $6.1 million

Jan. 25, 2021

Legislative Democrats, with the help of the Democratic Party’s robust fundraising, outspent their GOP counterparts in Wisconsin by more than $6.1 million ahead of the November election.

In evenly split Wisconsin, partisan divides may only grow

Jan. 25, 2021

Close elections may become more common in Wisconsin, fueling participation but also more political divisiveness

WNA annual meeting to be held virtually Feb. 25

Jan. 21, 2021

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association will hold its 2021 annual meeting virtually on Thursday, Feb. 25, via Zoom.

Traditionally held during the WNA Convention, the annual meeting includes approval of the association board's slate of officers for the upcoming year. Changes to the existing by-laws also will be proposed to reduce the number of executive officers on the WNA board. Additional details, including an agenda and instructions on how to join the meeting, will be sent out prior to Feb. 25.

Todd Colling named general manager of Antigo Daily Journal, EagleHerald

Jan. 21, 2021

Todd Colling has been named general manager of the Antigo Daily Journal and (Marinette) EagleHerald,
Adams Publishing Group announced Tuesday.

In 2019, Colling
succeeded longtime publisher Kent Eymann as general manager of the Beloit Daily News, where he had worked in various managerial roles since 1999.

Colling, who grew up in Marinette, delivered newspapers for the EagleHerald, where he also
worked in the newsroom before serving as circulation district manager under his father, Dennis Colling.

Bud Lea, longtime Packers writer for Milwaukee Sentinel, dies at 92

Jan. 21, 2021

Merlyn "Bud" Lea, who for more than 55 years covered the Green Bay Packers for the Milwaukee Sentinel and Packer Plus, died Wednesday, Jan. 20. He was 92.

Lea attended UW-Madison, where he worked as sports editor for The Daily Cardinal student newspaper, before going on to work at the Post-Bulletin in Rochester, Minn., and, in 1953, the Milwaukee Sentinel, where he met his wife, Filomena Volpintesta. After serving as the Packers beat writer for nearly two decades, he was named the newspaper's sports editor in 1972. He went on to write Packers columns more than a decade after retiring from his full-time role in 1995.