Industry News
INA Update | 04.09.20
Senators urge action for local journalism A group of Democratic senators led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D—Conn.) has sent a letter to Senate leadership urging the body to consider stimulus relief for local journalism and media. The letter, signed by 19 Democratic senators including Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, calls on House Majority Leader…
Read MoreAmericans are optimistic despite uncertainty
Forty percent believe the world will be better than before the coronavirus Courtesy of Research America. While Americans have a high level of anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic, most are willing to make significant sacrifices and many are optimistic about the future. They also believe that government leaders are taking the appropriate actions, according to…
Read MoreJournalists can still get access to court records
While the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted or limited access to Iowa county courthouses, journalists can still get access to court records. Public computer terminals which allow citizens and reporters access to court filings may be inaccessible with the coronavirus forcing courthouses to restrict access, but county clerks of court can still provide the information, according…
Read More$2 trillion stimulus package expands assistance, emergency funds for small businesses
A $2 trillion stimulus package designed to support individuals and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic has been signed into law by President Trump. The measure offers $377 billion in federally guaranteed loans to small businesses and establishes a $500 billion government lending program for distressed companies. It also increases unemployment benefits for laid-off or underemployed…
Read MoreWhat do local advertisers need right now?
Local businesses have specific marketing needs in times of crisis. History shows that some excel when they employ the right marketing tactics during a downturn. In a recent webinar with Borrell Associates and Second Street through America’s Newspapers, below is a summary on how your newspaper can help local advertisers as they struggle with declining…
Read MoreClerk of court offices in Iowa’s courthouses will remain accessible to journalists
The clerk of court offices in Iowa’s courthouses, and the public-access computer terminals in those offices, will remain accessible to journalists even if some counties have closed their courthouses to the general public, the Iowa Judicial Branch has assured the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. Any journalist who cannot get in to check court filings…
Read MoreCrisis underscores how vital information is
By Randy EvansExecutive Director, Iowa Freedom of Information Council We have all become acutely aware in the past few weeks why masks and face shields, respirators and ventilators are so important for hospital workers and their patients. The supply is not keeping up with the need, and that could have dire consequences for the doctors,…
Read MoreWhen You’re On Your Own, We Are There With You Front Pages
This week dozens of newspapers around the country participated in providing the same comforting front page message to their readers. The front pages read “WHEN YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN, WE ARE THERE WITH YOU.” Newspapers used the same headline and provided stories about their local community impact in hopes to remind readers that we’re all…
Read MoreCoronavirus Common Front Page
Last week the UK made a bold move to create a common voice to assure readers they are not alone in this ‘new reality’ we are all experiencing and assured readers they are in this with them. Press Associations across the country are participating in doing the same thing here for our papers and communities. On…
Read MoreResources available to Iowa small businesses
The state and federal government are taking action to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some resources that have been announced recently. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration for the state of Iowa as of January 31, 2020 and continuing. The declaration allows pandemic-impacted small businesses to apply…
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