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The Lincoln Ledger launches e-edition
Guest Column:
Seize opportunity to steer, moderate election noise
Arkansas Press Association
Publisher Weekly
By Jim Pumarlo
Vol.17 | No. 13 | Thursday, March 31, 2022 | Serving Press and State Since 1873
New NEA Town Courier editor Brand looks to the future Sandra Brand, editor of the Osceola Times and Delta Crossroads magazine, has added another newspaper to her roster. Earlier in March, Brand became editor of the NEA Town Courier in Blytheville. Brand says she’s looking forward to helming the Town Courier’s editorial staff. “I am excited about being editor of the Blytheville paper because it will give me the opportunity to help unite the county,” she says. Although Brand doesn’t plan on a major shake up, she is bringing fresh energy and some new talent to the paper. “There will be some changes, she says. “Although we will cover hard news, we also want to tell local stories people can relate to.” Brand is strengthening what she says is an already strong editorial team. “My writing staff is strong and will remain in place,” she says. “But we have hired one new reporter, Mark Baratelli from Orlando, Florida. I’m hoping he will bring new eyes to the community and help us all look at things with a fresh perspective.” The Town Courier also got a new publisher, Chris Pruett from Poplar Bluff, earlier this year. Brand is a native of northeast Arkansas — a sixth-generation Arkansan, in fact — and the youngest of 10 children. She graduated from Walnut Ridge High School in 1981 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in communications from Arkansas State University less than four years later. Since her first byline, she’s worked in journalism for 45 years. “I had my first story printed in the Walnut Ridge Times Dispatch when I was 15. That was 1977. Since my first full-time newspaper job after college, I’ve done nothing else,” she says.
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Mark your calendar! APA to host “Day of Debates” The Arkansas Press Association will host a Day of Debates, featuring Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and Gubernatorial candidates debating, on Thursday, April 21. The event will be held at Little Rock Union Station, lower level. A luncheon will also be part of the day’s schedule. APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley said, “Many in the press are familiar with the political debates the
Arkansas Press Association and its 100 member newspapers generally host at its annual convention in election years. This year, to bring more attention to these important races, we are dedicating an entire day for four key debates.”
The day will kick off with a debate among Lieutenant Governor candidates at 9:00 a.m, followed by the Secretary of State candidates debating at 10:45 a.m. The luncheon will be held at noon, and the
afternoon’s debates resume at 1:30 p.m. between Attorney General candidates. The day will wrap up with a Gubernatorial Debate at 2:45 p.m. “Newspaper readers are among the most politically engaged, and are the demographic most likely to show up to vote,” said Wimberley. “This event will be an ideal forum and opportunity to shine a statewide spotlight on the candidates Continued on Page 2