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INF Launches New Business-for-Good Journalism Contest
The Iowa Newspaper Foundation has launched the first-annual Iowa Business-for-Good Journalism Contest, inviting college students across the state to explore how Iowa businesses create both economic value and positive social impact. This unique contest requires two-student teams, one journalism student and one business student, to collaborate on an original, unpublished story produced between Sept. 1,…
Read MoreGood news for local media as the government reopens
The National Newspaper Association and its partners were once again happy to see the recognition by Congress of the vital role community newspapers play in sharing information to small and rural markets. As part of the package of bills approved by the Senate and the House to get the government open after the historic 43-day…
Read MoreIowa Newspaper Foundation Partners with iJAG
The Iowa Newspaper Foundation (INF) has begun developing a partnership with iJAG with two main goals: helping students become stronger communicators and raising awareness of the newspaper industry and its career opportunities. As part of this collaboration, INF participated in the annual iJAG Leadership and Development Conference and presented a session on social media to…
Read MorePolitical Voices
Perspectives from Party Leadership Political violence isn’t symmetrical. It’s escalating on the left, and political leaders must call it out By: Jeff Kaufmann – Chairman, Republican Party of Iowa We keep hearing calls to “encourage thoughtful discourse” and “discourage violent rhetoric.” That’s true, and I have. One political party keeps crossing the line, pretending both parties…
Read More“Not only did I improve my speaking skills, but I also became a much better writer.”
I am Danica VanGorkom. I graduated from Algona High School in 2024 and am going into my sophomore year at the University of Iowa. I am majoring in Journalism and Mass Communications, and I would love to work as a reporter or journalist in the future. This summer I had the opportunity to work at…
Read More“The newspaper and media business is a career path I am a lot more interested in exploring post-grad.”
My name is Maureen McDermott. I am a Junior at Iowa State University studying Communications and History. This past summer, I interned at the Spencer Daily Reporter. I had a great experience at the Daily Reporter. Throughout my time working there this summer, I learned a great deal…
Read MorePolitical Voices
Perspectives from Party Leadership Stop Making Things Worse By: Sen. Janice Weiner A cardinal rule as elected officials is not to break things – as in, if it isn’t broken, don’t “fix” it – not unlike the medical profession’s Hippocratic oath: first, do no harm. Our state faces multiple self-inflicted healthcare crises that result from…
Read MoreHidden treasures at the State Historical Society of Iowa
Researchers know that newspapers are the first draft of history. One of the hidden treasures at the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) is a magnificent collection of Iowa newspapers, guarded for more than a century and a half. This collection is now threatened by state officials. In 2023, State government was realigned, and control…
Read MoreCongress must act to help the new postmaster general pull USPS back from the brink
By Martha Diaz Aszkenazy, Chair, National Newspaper Association Publisher, The San Fernando Valley (California) Sun/El Sol Newspapers The United States Postal Service is on the brink of a self-induced collapse. The failed policies of the Delivering for America Plan have driven away customers through a combination of sky-high rate increases and degraded service. David Steiner,…
Read MoreNew Board Members Nominated
Shannon Welch, Gannett – Shannon Welch currently serves in a dual capacity for Gannett. He is a Regional Vice-President of Sales for LocaliQ over seven mid-western states. Additionally, he serves the Des Moines Register directly as the General Manager. With a degree in Marketing, Shannon has risen rapidly through the ranks in his 12 years…
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