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Just days remain to enter APA’s advertising contest Guest Column: The power of enthusiasm By John Foust
Arkansas Press Association
Publisher Weekly Vol.18 | No. 8 | Thursday, February 23, 2023 | Serving Press and State Since 1873
Rising Conway Log Cabin Democrat reporter recognized nationally by Editor & Publisher gets inspiration from kin By Wesley Brown
The family that writes together, stays together. Although this adage is not the same as the religious rosary popularized by the late Irish Catholic priest Fr. Patrick Peyton, it aptly describes a former APA intern who is now a rising star reporter at Conway’s Log Cabin Democrat. Earlier this month, the venerable Editor & Publisher magazine named Log Cabin senior reporter Kolton Rutherford to its 2023 class of “25 Under 35.” The annual list, published in the February issue, spotlights the next generation of media professionals under age 35 across the U.S. In noting Rutherford, the E&P article shared advice that the 25-year-old reporting sage would offer to other young professionals looking for a career in the news industry. “First and foremost, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Be open to covering stories and topics you don’t have much experience in if you’re asked to,” Rutherford told E&P. “Arm yourself with the knowledge gained through other experiences and explore new territory you haven’t covered before. You might find the topic to be one you want to continue to pursue in the future.” In speaking about the E&P honor, Rutherford said he was completely caught off guard when he received an unsolicited email earlier this year from the respected industry trade publication alerting him that he had made the “25 Under 35 list”. “In early January, I got this email that said that I had been selected to “The List,’” recalled Rutherford. “I’ll be honest, I had no idea what it was. I kind of thought that I had received a spam email, so I sent a screenshot to my boss and asked him if this is real.” After learning that Log Cabin Democrat Editor Jeanette Stewart had nominated him for the prestigious honor, Rutherford said the news began to sink in and caused him to reflect upon his short but meaningful career in Arkansas media. “I had no clue. I was just shocked,” he said. “Ever since then, it has been very overwhelming where you wonder if you really deserve it. But I’m very thankful for it, and to go through the list
Kolton Rutherford
and see where some of the other media members work – is it mind-blowing to see that I am on this list with all those other people.” Stewart said when she saw that E&P was accepting nominations, “it was a no-brainer for me.” She said Rutherford steps into the editor roles when she is out of the office. “With his intelligence, thoughtfulness and news instincts, Kolton has become a natural leader in our newsroom. The Log Cabin Democrat and the community we cover is better because we have him here,” she said. “Kolton has an incredible work ethic and drive and makes my job easier through his willingness to Continued on Page 5