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Congress 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…
Read MoreNNA Applauds Democratic House Oversight Leaders Call for PRC to Halt July Rate Increase
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — May 23, 2024 Contact: Lynne Lance, executive director, lynne@nna.org House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member, Jamie Raskin (D-MD), has asked the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to halt the large rate increase scheduled for July. He was joined by Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) who holds a leadership position on the subcommittee…
Read MoreLive-streaming gov’t meetings should be the norm
By Randy Evans | Executive Director, Iowa Freedom of Information Council You don’t often hear anyone extol the benefits of the Covid pandemic. But I did few weeks ago — when I stood before the Storm Lake Kiwanis club and talked about government transparency in Iowa. I did not wade into the debate over masks,…
Read MoreNNA needs your help — letter regarding postage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — May 14, 2024Contact: Lynne Lance, executive director, lynne@nna.org Dear NNA member, This summer, the Postal Regulatory Commission will review the regulations that permit USPS to require postage increases twice a year. NNA needs your help. Postage for Periodicals has increased by more than 35% since 2021. For some newspapers, the…
Read MoreIowa Newspaper Foundation and Iowa Freedom of Information Council team up
The Iowa Newspaper Foundation and Iowa Freedom of Information Council are teaming up to on a new series of training videos this summer to help inform journalists about the laws affecting government meetings and access to government records. The library of videos will be archived by the INA staff and will be available at no…
Read MoreINF Announces New Scholarship
Funded by friends and family of longtime Iowa newspaper reporter and former Des Moines Register Northeast Iowa Bureau chief, Jack Hovelson, an annual $500 scholarship will be awarded to a sophomore, junior or senior at University of Northern Iowa or Iowa State University. Applicants must demonstrate dedication to print or digital journalism, and exhibit curiosity,…
Read MoreNew board members nominated
Kathie Obradovich is editor-in-chief for Iowa Capital Dispatch, part of a national not-for-profit news organization that launched in January 2020. She leads an experienced staff covering state news and politics and writes a column. Dozens of Iowa newspapers, broadcast stations and news sites regularly republish Iowa Capital Dispatch content. Kathie has more than 35 years…
Read MoreIowa needs to stop the creeping secrecy about names
By Randy Evans The increasing secrecy by Iowa law enforcement and their lawyers about identifying people by name raises important questions underlying public confidence in the critical work of first-responders. The question deals with whether police can or should refuse to identify persons involved in incidents and crimes. Despite Iowa’s history of openness about crimes…
Read MoreSecret gov’t settlements are wrong — period
By Randy Evans City leaders in Davenport have forgotten that city government there belongs to the people. It does not belong to the folks who were elected to city offices. This reminder is necessary because of a troubling series of events that is unlike any I have seen in five decades of monitoring the goings-on…
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