Posts by sjames1
The Iowa Newspaper Foundation Celebrates 40 Years in 2024
In 1984, the Iowa Newspaper Association’s board decided to create a way for members to make tax-deductible contributions to support enhanced member programming. To accomplish this and protect the association’s not-for-profit status, the Iowa Newspaper Foundation was created. Originally, the foundation concentrated on fund raising to underwrite affordable, high-quality educational opportunities for members and the…
Read MoreThe Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Artificial Intelligence for Newspapers
By Russell Viers I still remember the first time I showed Photoshop’s Clone Stamp Tool to a newspaper audience. It was 1997 and it was called the Rubber Stamp Tool back then. The room was silent in amazement as I eliminated various marks, spots, and objects from the image. I think I removed a hot…
Read MoreLicense change would deprive consumers of important info
By Randy Evans The rationale behind Iowa’s professional licensing laws is simple: People in certain professions and skilled occupations are required to hold state licenses to work in Iowa. This is to ensure they meet the minimum standard of training and skill necessary to serve consumers safely and effectively. But a state government policy change…
Read MorePublisher made a sound investment – in me
By Randy EvansIowa Newspaper Foundation president It was 57 years ago when Gary Spurgeon, then the publisher of the Bloomfield Democrat, made an investment in the future of Iowa’s newspapers. I would like to think that investment has more than paid for itself. The investment was a “scholarship” Gary provided to a kid who was…
Read MoreHall of Fame lawyer to keynote FOI annual meeting
The longtime legal adviser to the Iowa Freedom of Information Council will be the featured speaker on Thursday, November 9, at the Council’s annual meeting. Iowa Newspaper Association members are welcome to attend. Michael Giudicessi, a partner in the Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath law firm in Des Moines, will give us a much-needed pep…
Read MoreCommunity publishers reaffirm First Amendment support wake of Kansas newspaper raid
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Oct 2, 2023Contact: Lynne Lance, executive director, lynne@nna.org Last week, community newspaper publishers, editors, and executives across the United States resoundingly reaffirmed their commitment to a free press undisturbed by unannounced police raids. Meeting in Washington, National Newspaper Association members representing community daily and weekly newspapers in 31 states took their concerns to…
Read MoreContest resources available for your last-minute questions!
We’re getting down to the wire. The deadline to submit entries for the Better Newspaper Contests is Friday, October 13. All entries must be submitted and uploaded to the betternewspapercontest.com website by 4:30 p.m.; hard-copy examples must be postmarked on or before October 13. In past years, many entries were submitted in the 1-2 hours…
Read MoreIowa Newspaper Association Welcomes Debbie Anselm As New Executive Director
The Iowa Newspaper Association is thrilled to announce that Debbie Anselm will lead the organization as executive director, effective October 24. Anselm, a visionary industry leader of 20 years, brings a wealth of experience to the INA and its 240 member newspapers, most recently serving as the association’s board president and with Lee Enterprises as…
Read MoreMisguided gov’t proposal targets ‘vexatious’ people
By Randy Evans / Iowa Freedom of Information Council Many decades ago, Mrs. Gentry and Mr. Halferty put up with an inquisitive kid’s classroom questionsabout American democracy and the workings of government. I did not imagine back then how the meaning of some words could take on such importance in government. Take, for example, a…
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