Bail out the Postal Service before cruise lines

Randy Evans, Executive DirectorIowa Freedom of Information Council It’s quiz time. What arm of the federal government has the most contact with ordinary Americans, people like you and me? Is it the Internal Revenue Service? Social Security Administration? The Food and Drug Administration? Or the Department of Agriculture? Nope. Not that one. Not that one,…

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INA Member update | COVID-19

The Iowa Newspaper Association is working with its national partners to promote measures to aid local news media during the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage our members to reach out to Sens. Charles Grassley and Joni Enst to urge support for the measures which include: There is no good reason to allow USPS to falter NNA…

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Government Advertising (Senate Sample Letter)

Russell T. VoughtActing DirectorThe Office of Management and Budget725 17th Street, NWWashington, DC 20503 Dear Mr. Vought, We are writing today concerning the challenges faced by local media and actions the Office of Management and Budget can take that will help ensure these important businesses are able to continue to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.…

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SBA Expansion (House Sample Letter)

Dear Madam Speaker and Minority Leader McCarthy: We write to ask that any future stimulus package to address the coronavirus pandemic include immediate improvements to existing lending programs to protect local news publishers and broadcasters. Reliable local information and reporting in our communities is more important than ever—newspapers and broadcasters are working “around the clock,…

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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…

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Americans 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…

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Journalists 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…

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$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…

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What 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…

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Clerk 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…

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