cap times idea fest

Cap Times announces plans for virtual Idea Fest

Cap Times Idea Fest, now in its fourth year, will be held virtually over a two-week span, editor and publisher Paul Fanlund announced this week.

As in past years, the 2020 Idea Fest lineup features several prominent speakers. This year’s speakers include former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, investigative reporter and author Bob Woodward, Gov. Tony Evers and UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank.

Gannett Foundation to give $2.3 million to community-building nonprofits

The Gannett Foundation on Tuesday announced a $2.3 million crowdfunding and grant program for community-building nonprofits.

The initiative offers local nonprofits a national platform on which to fundraise, in addition to grants for the most exceptional projects. Last year, three Wisconsin nonprofits were recipients of grants totaling $45,000.

Steven Potter, public records

Your Right to Know: Expand online access to government records

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that many of our jobs can be done digitally and remotely. The same should be true of accessing government records, reporter and radio producer Steven Potter writes.

In the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council’s most recent “Your Right to Know” column, Potter urges government agencies to serve the public interest by paying attention to the lessons we’ve learned in the past several months.

Bart Pfankuch

Sharpen your writing by reading stories aloud

Reading text aloud performs two basic yet critical analytical and diagnostic functions — it quickly shows if the prose is smooth, flows well and is pleasing to the eye and ear and where the clunks in copy are located; also, it reveals whether information is being presented in a logical, clear and meaningful progression, writes veteran journalist Bart Pfankuch.

It’s perhaps the best way for a writer or editor to check their work for flow, accuracy, clarity and meaning.

Peter Kwong

Welcome to my tempura haven

My wife’s bumper crop of veggies gave me a great idea: Why don’t I bread them with a tempura batter and deep-fry them? Problem solved!

Wisconsin Newspaper Association