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Guest Column:

By John Newby

Arkansas Press Association PUBLISHER WEEKLY

Publisher Reece Terry reflects on 37-year newspaper career

Enjoying a newspaper career that so far has spanned some 37 years, Jonesboro Sun publisher Reece Terry has extensive experience in all phases of the industry.

“I can do almost anything in the business except run the press, and I understand how to deal with the electronic aspects of that,” Terry said.

In addition to his role at Jonesboro, Terry serves as the group publisher for Paxton Media Group for newspapers in Arkansas, West Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. It is a position he has held since the retirement of David Mosesso of Jonesboro in 2019.

Terry has focused primarily on the business, advertising and production aspects of the industry after joining the staff of the Daily Corinthian in Corinth, Mississippi, in 1988. That newspaper joins the Sun as the two dailies under Terry’s guidance, with both publishing Tuesday through Saturday each week. In addition, the Sun produces a digital edition only on Sunday.

Also under his management are the thrice-weekly Hammond (La.) Daily Star and six weekly newspapers. Arkansas publications are the Walnut Ridge Times Dispatch, West Memphis Evening Times, Newport Independent and the Paragould Press. Others are the Dyersburg (Tenn.) State Gazette and the Booneville (Miss.) Banner Independent.

The newspapers are printed at the Daily Corinthian plant except for the Hammond publication, which is printed in Baton Rouge.

All the publications feature electronic replicas of each edition as well as websites which are updated daily with breaking news in the community. Each local site has editorial and sales staff and there is a significant sharing of responsibilities between publications when feasible.

Terry acknowledges the challenges facing the industry but feels community newspapers remain vibrant and important.

“Developing a revenue model that will sustain local journalism” is the most critical challenge facing newspapers today, Terry believes. “Second is recruiting young talent – especially in the marketing department.”

Terry said college journalism departments, such as the one at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, are a big help in recruiting, especially in the editorial side of the industry.

Looking to the future of community journalism, Terry said, “Newspapers need to do a better job of telling their story and focus on the positives.

Reece Terry

Terry

Continued from page 1

When you combine print and digital we still have a lot of eyeballs and, in my opinion, that’s what we need to be talking about. We also need to look for ways to take advantage of new technology to grow our footprint.”

Terry is optimistic about the future of the Jonesboro market. “You are looking at a city with a population of roughly 80,000 with outstanding shopping and dining options,” he said. Major positives are the presence of two regional hospitals and Arkansas State University.

“There is also a very good industrial base,” he said. “I think the future of Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas is very bright.”

Terry grew up in Southwest Tennessee, where his father was in the farming and feed business. He originally thought he would attend veterinary school but became interested in the communications field when taking a radio and television production class at McNairy Central High School in Selmer, Tennessee.

That led to his early career in radio at stations in Corinth and Selmer. He served as chief engineer and head of operations and production.

Terry was offered an opportunity to serve as chief engineer and weekend news anchor at the Mississippi Ag News Network in Jackson, Mississippi, but decided against a move to the state’s capital city.

Instead, he responded to an opportunity at the Corinth newspaper and started there in 1988 in outside sales in the areas of automotive and real estate. “I felt at the time that newspapers were well respected in the community, and I still feel that way today,” he said. “I always liked to read newspapers and thought it would be intriguing. Things worked out for me to stay in the community, and I thought there would be an opportunity for advancement.”

Terry eventually was promoted to classified advertising director at the newspaper.

It was during the “cut and paste” newspaper era, and Terry once learned a valuable production lesson. The staff had put together a full-page automotive ad that he was delivering to a customer to be proofed. It was a warm day, and he placed the page on the dash of the vehicle. “When I later turned on the air conditioner, I was looking for cuts all over the place,” he

said.

Terry eventually focused on the new computer-to-plate production methods emerging in the 1990s and gained valuable in-depth training because the Corinth newspaper was part of the New York Times group. Despite his focus on the technical side of the business, he never got completely away from sales. “I also have assisted in news and photography,” he said.

Terry also gained helpful knowledge for his career through taking business management and finance and administration classes at Mississippi State University and media law classes at Ole Miss.

Paxton Media acquired the Corinth newspaper in 1995, with Terry serving as advertising manager. In 2001, he was named publisher after serving six months in an interim status. He advanced to the

Terry with his wife Sharon, daughter LeeAnn, son-in-law Robby Davis, son Christopher and grandson Evan.

Terry with then Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant discussing development of an industrial site.

See TERRY Page 4

EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 15 , 2025

$125,000 in AWARDS

for Fair, impartial, Objective NEWS REPORTING

In the spirit of "to give the news impartially, without fear or favor ... " -Adolph Ochs, Publisher of The Chattanooga Times (1877-1935) And The New York Times (1896 -1935)

Five $25,000 awards for the most fair, impartial, objective news reporting that has the courage to not fear and the discipline to not favor.

$25,000 for Print Reporting

$25,000 for Broadcast Reporting

$25,000 for Television Reporting

$25,000 for Digital Reporting

$25,000 for White House Correspondents’ Association Members

Contest will be judged by a panel of State Press Association Leadership

For more information go to: www.cfinr.org

Please send entries to: https://bit.ly/ CFINR2025

Terry

group publisher position six years ago.

Terry has achieved significant personal satisfaction through working in the newspaper industry. “I have spent much of my career working with some incredibly talented people,” he said. “I have learned so much from them. I have also been able to be involved in projects that help benefit people in the communities we serve such as job development, early childhood learning initiatives, feeding the needy and long-range planning to improve quality of life.”

Terry is past president of the Mississippi Press Association and past chairman of the Mississippi Press Education Foundation.

He has been very active in the Corinth community, including serving as past president of the local United Way board of directors. He also has been involved in the Rotary Club, Salvation Army and Chamber of Commerce.

His wife Sharon is a program services coordinator for the Mississippi Dept. of Corrections. They have a son, Christopher Terry, of Tupelo, Mississippi, and a daughter, LeeAnn Davis, of Iuka, Mississippi. Both are insurance company analysts. Terry and his wife also have a grandson, Evan Terry, 13.

Terry said he has a demanding work schedule and doesn’t have a lot of outside interests other than being with his family. He does enjoy hunting and fishing and spending time at Pickwick Lake in Tennessee.

Terry continues to believe newspapers have an important role in their communities and in the broader society.

“Community newspapers serve as a watchdog by helping hold government agencies and boards responsible to the citizens they serve by keeping them informed through accurate and trusted reporting of meetings and activities,” he said.

“Community newspapers also serve as a reflection of the communities served by reporting on community specific issues, school sporting events, social events, economic activity, and they provide readers with valuable information about local businesses.”

Former sports editor dies at 92

Franklin Burrell

Franklin Burrell of Jonesboro, a former newspaperman, died January 30. He was 92.

Burrell was a graduate in the first graduating journalism class of Memphis College. In 1954, he went to work as a sports editor, launching his career in the newspaper industry. He is preceded in death by brothers, Auburn and Wayne Burrell. He is survived by his wife, Novalee Burrell, daughter Melanie Nichols (Matthew), a granddaughter, greatgranddaughter and many nieces and nephews.

Cash award prize available for investigative reporting in 2024

Arkansas SPJ has partnered with California-based A-Mark Foundation to provide the first cash prizes ever presented at its upcoming 2025 Diamond Journalism Awards. Late last year, A-Mark Foundation COO Tracey DeFrancesco emailed Arkansas SPJ extending a grant of $15,000 in cash for prize awards to promote investigative reporting. The non-partisan non-profit foundation, which was founded in 1997, is currently represented in 25 states (including Arkansas) through similar awards grants. The foundation was aware of the annual Diamond Awards and offered the “incredible gift,” according to Kevin Kelly, longtime FOX 16 anchor and current Arkansas SPJ vice president.

“I’ve been in the business more than 30 years and I’ve never been a part of an awards ceremony for journalists in which cash is offered,” Kelly said. “And A-Mark recognized that this might be a good opportunity because we are in a position to do this, to inspire journalists to continue to investigate, seek out injustices and really hold people who are in a position of power accountable.”

The top three journalists and the newsrooms that published their winning work will be awarded $5,000 for the first-place writer(s), plus $2,500 for the newsroom; $3,000 for the second-place writer(s) plus $1,500 for the newsroom and $2,000 for the thirdplace writer(s) plus $1,000 for the newsroom.

“That is a huge chunk of change for anybody in this industry,” Kelly said. “So, we’re thrilled. We’re excited. We’re pumped.”

Submissions are now open through March 3. Entrants don’t have to reside or work in Arkansas, but submissions must have a connection to the state. The prize will be disbursed at the annual awards ceremony in July.

“A lot of great opportunities for work that deserves to be recognized, to be recognized,” Kelly said. “And in some cases, with this new partnership with A-Mark, not only to be recognized, but to be awarded. Which you don’t hear of.”

Reconfiguring the awards, there are more than 100 categories across nine classifications, not including the A-Mark division in this year’s contest. As a result, the number of entries has increased substantially.

“We’ve completely revamped the TV category, which in years passed was represented, but when they were kind enough to ask me to come on board and I accepted that position, I took a look and said, ‘we can do a better job,’” Kelly said.

Entry fees for the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting costs $40 for SPJ members and nonmembers. General competition fees are $15 per entry for SPJ members, $25 per entry for nonmembers, $10 per entry for student SPJ members and $15 per entry for student nonmembers. Newly-added Craft Achievement & Diamond Awards divisions are $25 per entry for members and $35 per entry for nonmembers.

“This is huge,” Kelly said. “This is really big news and it really just kind of came out of the blue.”

To enter visit https://arkansasspj.org/category/diamond-awards/ or for more information https://amarkfoundation.org/

Divisions range from traditional print and broadcast to podcasts and communications.

All finalists will be honored at the Arkansas Pro SPJ annual meeting and awards ceremony in July.

Deadline to enter is March 3. Enter at Arkansasspj.org or scan the code below.

Arkansas SPJ has proudly partnered with to award

Former Eagle Democrat sports editor dies

Former Associated Press correspondent Billy Wayne Bates died November 23,

2024. He was 95. He is also a former sports editor for The Eagle Democrat in his hometown of Warren.

He was born June 27, 1929 to James Travis Bates and Bessie Enid Riley. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Jettie Evelyn Burgin Bates, his halfbrother Earnest “Hickey” Sledd, sister Vera Nell Bates Lenox, brother James Gerald Bates and sons Lawrence and James

He is survived by sons Daryl and Bruce, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 15 at 2 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, Va.

Former Sentinel-Record photographer/ reporter Lorien Dahl dies Feb. 4 at 50

Photographer Lorien Dahl of Hot Springs died from complications of pneumonia on February 4. She was 50.

Dahl was a staff reporter and photographer for The Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs for nearly 11 years, earning during her time there an award for photography in APA’s Better Newspaper Editorial Contest. She left the newspaper in 2017. She also spent two years in New Mexico, photographing the landscape and working in communications for TLCx in Las Cruces.

A graduate of Lake Hamilton High School, Dahl held an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Art Photography from National Park College. During the pandemic she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Communication at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, where she received the Undergraduate Distinguished Student Scholar Award.

In November 2020, one of Dahl’s photographs was chosen by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in its “Channel Your Inner Ansel” photography contest. Her volunteer work included

serving on the selection committee for the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and socializing dogs at the Humane Society of Garland County.

Dahl was predeceased by her mother Mary Dahl and father Jerome Dahl, and is survived by her sister Melanie Chournos of Utah. No services are planned.

ARE YOU HIRING?

The Arkansas Newspaper Connection is a weekly newsletter published by APA connecting freelance and independent writers, editors, photographers and designers with Arkansas newspapers in need. Lists available job openings and other opportunities at Arkansas newspapers and associate member organizations. Send your listings to info@arkansaspress.org

Former newspaper owner dies at 46

Former Little River News owner/publisher John Quinton Bagley of Ashdown died January 25. He was 46.

He was born in Nashville, Arkansas to Geneva Rhae Duckett Bagley and Luther Coy Bagley on August 14, 1978. He graduated from Nashville High School in 1996, remaining a lifelong Scrapper fan. He was also a member of the County Line Baptist Church, Nashville.

Bagley worked as a sports editor at newspapers around Arkansas, including the Nashville News from August 2003 to June 2006. From there, he spent a few months at the Dardanelle Post Dispatch and then the Russellville Courier from January 2007 to February 2008. He worked at The Daily Citizen in Searcy from that February until April 2010.

After hopping around the state, he landed at the Little River News in April 2010 and worked there until August 2019.

Bagley was brought on as the Little River News’ general manager until February 2019 when he became the owner/publisher until his departure. Also during his career he was the owner/publisher of the Little River Voice.

He is survived by his wife Jamie Bagley, daughter KaitLynn Bagley, sister Sarah Marie (Duckett) Rodgers, nephews Charles Schooley, James Schooley, Leslie, Elizabeth (Schooley), Harris (Kenny), and Kevin Rodgers and his father. Memorial services are pending.

Lorien Dahl

John Quinton Bagley

Billy Wayne Bates

In-person Sunshine Fest scheduled for March in Washington, D.C.

In celebration of 20 years of Sunshine Week, the first in-person Sunshine Fest is scheduled for March 19-20 in Washington, D.C. Important figures in FOI will speak at the event and will be available to meet, including Toby Mendel, Alastair Roberts, Margaret Kwoka, Daniel Schuman, Alex Howard, Ryan Mulvey and more.

Some of the session topics include:

• The politics of FOIA, featuring organizations that use public records requests extensively for their causes.

• Vexatious requests: How to mitigate the harm of unduly burdensome requests without restricting the flow of information.

• Artificial intelligence – promises and challenges lightning round with a half dozen experts.

Deadline quickly approaching for annual ad contest entries

The deadline to enter the annual APA Better Newspaper Advertising Contest is Feb. 28. Member newspapers and media members are encouraged to present their creativity and hard work from the 2024 calendar year.

There are 20 categories across four divisions in this year’s contest, including single ad, multiple advertiser ad, best advertising special section, most original idea, use of humor in advertising and more. Winners will be recognized at the annual APA Advertising Conference on April 10-11 in Little Rock.

For complete contest rules and instructions, visit https:// newspapercontest.com/Contests/ArkansasPressAssociation.aspx.

If you have questions about the contest or the online submission process, contact Terri Cobb at (501) 374-1500 or email terri@ arkansaspress.org.

• Trump, populism and the backslide: Journalists, experts and government officials will discuss the state of transparency in a new administration, and looking ahead.

• Balancing privacy and the right to know.

• Alternative enforcement methods – better ways of doing this?

• Inspirational stories from average people using public records laws to improve their communities.

Early bird registration is limited to only 160 people through March 10. With over 100 already registered, time is running out to sign up at the discounted rate of $50, or $25 for students. After March 10, the rate increases to $75, or $30 for students. Registration includes a March 19 reception and a continental breakfast and lunch.

To learn more visit https://sunshineweek.org/sunshine-fest/

Entries closing for second annual CFINR Awards Feb. 15

The entry window for the 2nd Annual Center for Integrity in News Reporting Awards closes this Saturday, February 15. The contest is open to news organizations from around the country. Five awards of $25,000 each will be presented for Print Reporting, Broadcast Reporting, Cable Network Reporting, Digital Reporting and for White House Correspondents’ Association Members. No editorials or columns may be submitted.

In the inaugural contest held last year, Chris Fulton of APA Media Member Mountain Home Observer was named a finalist in the digital reporting category for his piece, “Mountain Home School Board – Arkansas FOIA Violations.”

The Center was created by WEHCO Media, Inc. Chairman Walter E. Hussman, Jr., former Jackson, Mississippi Clarion Ledger editor Charles Overby and current WEHCO Media, Inc. Publisher Eliza Gaines to address a growing national problem — the public’s loss in trust in news reporting — and to help find solutions to restore that trust. The awards are designed to encourage and reward “news reporting that has the courage to not fear and the discipline

Guest Column: Unlocking growth: How small businesses can harness AI’s potential

By John Newby

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape artificial intelligence isn’t just for tech giants and Fortune 500 companies. Small businesses are increasingly finding that AI tools can level the playing field, offering affordable solutions to streamline operations, enhance customer service and drive growth.

According to a recent McKinsey study, businesses that fully embrace AI could potentially double their cash flow by 2026, yet only 23% of small businesses currently utilize AI technologies.

The key to successful AI implementation lies not in attempting to match the sophisticated systems of larger corporations, but in identifying specific, high-impact areas where AI can deliver immediate value. Here’s how small businesses can strategically leverage AI to fuel growth without breaking the bank.

Perhaps the most accessible entry point for small businesses into AI is through customer-service automation. Al-powered chatbots have evolved significantly with modern solutions achieving customer satisfaction rates of up to 87% for routine inquiries. For a small business, this means providing 24/7 customer support without the overhead of a full-time support team.

Consider Sarah’s Boutique, a small fashion retailer that implemented a basic AI chatbot to handle common questions about sizing, shipping and returns. Within three months, they reported a 35% reduction in customer-service costs while simultaneously increasing response times from several hours to immediate. The chatbot handles 70% of initial customer inquiries,allowing their human staff to focus on more complex customer needs.

AI’s ability to analyze customer data and predict behavior has transformed marketing from a guessing game into a precision tool. Small businesses can now leverage Al-driven marketing platforms to predict customer purchasing patterns with up to 85% accuracy, create personalized email campaigns that generate 41% higher clickthrough rates and optimize ad spending by automatically adjusting campaigns based on performance data. Local restaurant Chain “Fresh Bites” implemented Al-driven marketing automation to analyze customer ordering patterns and send personalized promotions. The result? A 28% increase in repeat customers and 45% boost in average order value within six months.

Small businesses often struggle with resource allocation and inventory management. AI tools can provide enterprise-level efficiency at a fraction of the cost. Supply chain optimization algorithms can reduce inventory costs by up to 25% while maintaining or improving stock availability. A small hardware store in Michigan implemented Al-powered inventory management

and saw immediate results. Stockouts decreased by 30%, while inventory carrying costs dropped by 20%. The system’s ability to predict seasonal demand patterns helped them maintain optimal stock levels throughout the year.

Al-powered financial tools can help small businesses make better financial decisions and protect against fraud. Machine learning algorithms can detect potentially fraudulent transactions with 99.9% accuracy, automate 80% of accounting tasks and predict cash flow issues up to 30 days in advance. One small online retailer reported saving $50,000 in potential fraud losses within their first year of implementing Al-based fraud detection, while reducing false positives by 60% compared to traditional rule-based systems.

The key to successful AI implementation for small businesses lies in starting small and scaling up. Here’s a practical road map. Begin with a specific, measurable problem you want to solve, research available AI solutions that address that specific need, start with a pilot program in one area of your business, measure results and adjust accordingly and gradually expand to other areas based on success and ROI.

The investment required is often less than many small business owners expect. Many AI tools operate on a subscription basis, with entry-level plans starting at $50 to $200 per month. The return on investment can be substantial — businesses report average productivity gains of 40% after implementing AI solutions in their workflows.

As AI technology continues to evolve and become more accessible, small businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind. However, success with AI doesn’t require massive investments or technical expertise. By focusing on specific, high-impact areas and starting with proven solutions, small businesses can leverage AI to compete effectively with larger competitors. The rise of AI represents great benefits for small businesses. While larger corporations might spend millions on custom AI solutions, small businesses can access powerful, pre-built AI tools that deliver comparable benefits at a fraction of the cost. The question really is not whether to implement AI, but rather which solutions to implement first.

John Newby is a nationally recognized columnist, speaker and publisher. He consults with chambers, communities, business and media. This column appears in 60+ newspapers and media outlets. As founder of Truly-Local, he assists chambers, communities, media, and businesses in creating synergies that build vibrant communities. He can be reached at: John@Truly-Local.org.

95th Arkansas General Assembly

Legislative Report

APA is monitoring the following bills of interest to our industry and the public:

Bill No. / Author Short Description

HB 1042

Rep. Collins To Create The Direct Democracy Act Of 2025; To Repeal The Ensuring Access For All Arkansans And Voter Protection Act Of 2023; And To Amend The Procedure For The Filing Of A Ballot Initiative Petition And Referendum Petition.

https://bit.ly/3WHRRDt

HB 1141

Rep. Richardson To Create Criminal Offenses Related To Deceptive And Injurious Media In The Course Of Election Campaigns.

HB 1221

Rep. Ray

HB 1222

Rep. Ray

SB 12

https://bit.ly/3El11zK

To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Initiatives, Referenda, And Constitutional Amendments; And To Declare An Emergency.

https://bit.ly/3Cjmjgx

To Require The Attorney General To Review Ballot Titles For Conflicts With The United States Constitution And Federal Statutes; And To Ban Submission Of Multiple Initiative Petitions And Referendum Petitions.

https://bit.ly/4hz961L

Sen. King To Amend The Freedom Of Information Act Of 1967; To Subject All Communication With The Board Of Apportionment To The Freedom Of Information Act Of 1967; And To Establish A Penalty.

https://bit.ly/42zIutn

SB 207

Sen. Hammer To Amend The Law Concerning Initiative And Referendum Petitions; To Require A Canvasser To Disclose That Petition Fraud Is A Class A Misdemeanor; And To Declare An Emergency.

https://bit.ly/4hB3EvY

SB 208

Sen. Hammer To Amend The Law Concerning Initiative And Referendum Petitions; To View A Canvasser To Request Photo Identification Before Obtaining A Signature; And To Declare An Emergency.

https://bit.ly/4jQqQbb

SB 209 Sen. Hammer To Disqualify Signatures Obtained By A Canvasser Under Certain Circumstances; And To Declare An Emergency.

https://bit.ly/4hAzAR6

SB 210 Sen. Hammer To Require The Signer To Read The Ballot Title Of The Petition In The Presence Of A Canvasser; And To Declare An Emergency. https://bit.ly/4hUyDCS

SB 211 Sen. Hammer To Amend The Law Concerning Initiative Petitions And Referendum Petitions; To Require A Canvasser To Submit An Affidavit Before Signatures Can Be Counted; And To Declare An Emergency.

https://bit.ly/4hX4anw

SB 212 Sen. Hammer To Create The Document Validity Division; And To Declare An Emergency. https://bit.ly/4aZsrXU

SB 227 Sen. Tucker To Amend The Freedom Of Information Act Of 1967; And To Amend The Provisions Of The Freedom Of Information Act Of 1967 Concerning Public Meetings.

https://bit.ly/42WfEUm

Current Status

Reported correctly engrossed

Referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Govt’l Affairs - Senate

Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass

Referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Govt’l Affairs - House

Motion to Expunge the Vote by which the Emergency Clause failed of adoption. Motion carried.

Referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Govt’l Affairs - House

Referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Govt’l Affairs - Senate