Political 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…

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Hidden 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…

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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,…

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New 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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NNA 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…

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Live-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,…

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NNA 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…

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Iowa 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…

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