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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…
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…
Read MoreINA Member update | COVID-19
As our communities continue to work through the impact of COVID-19, the work of journalists becomes even more important. As your Association we hope to provide you with as much support as possible. I will continue to draw to your attention topics that may be helpful or important to you or your business. Senate Passes…
Read MoreSunshine Week: Fighting a virus with truth and transparency
By Ken Paulson, Guest columnist As the scope and threat of the coronavirus pandemic becomes clear, people all over the world hunger for two things: an effective vaccine and truthful information about the disease. The former may be more than a year away, but the latter is critical to stemming the pandemic in the meantime.…
Read MoreTips for INA Members | COVID-19
Journalists shine the brightest during our most difficult times as a nation. Thank you for all that you are doing to communicate with your community, take care of your employees and keep your own family and friends safe. As a business I appreciate that you are all juggling many competing priorities. Please know the Iowa…
Read MoreINA to provide photos from State Wrestling Tournament
The Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Newspaper Association are again working together to facilitate a service for Iowa newspapers that are unable to staff the State Wrestling Tournament with a photographer. The Iowa Newspaper Association will provide a pool of volunteers to take pictures. Revenue collected from participating newspapers will go to…
Read MoreBallot instructions generate confusion
Susan Patterson PlankExecutive Director, Iowa Newspaper Association During the Iowa Legislative session in 2017, then Governor Terry Branstad signed House File 566 into law a bill requiring joint school and city elections. According to the Secretary of State’s Office the last four school elections, the voter turnout average was 6.5% and the average voter turnout…
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