AP Capitol Correspondent Andrew DeMillo writes history daily
Journalists and newspapers are counted upon to provide critical information regarding politics and government and how they affect citizens, while also standing as the most important bulwark for a free press in a free and open society.
For the past 19 years, as Capitol Correspondent in the Little Rock Bureau of the Associated Press, Andrew DeMillo has played a key role in meeting those challenges in Arkansas.
“A free press is crucial for helping people understand the world around them so they can find ways to improve their communities,” DeMillo said.
“Without an independent and free press, citizens would not be informed of how their government is working and how their tax dollars are being spent.
“A free press brings problems to light that may not otherwise get attention. A free press ensures that important government decisions aren’t made in the dark and holds government officials accountable.”
In his role with the Associated Press, DeMillo has seen and covered crucial issues and changes in Arkansas politics and government.
country working within the news-gathering organization.
“There is really a lot of collaboration in our work at the Associated Press, especially with a story that is not just about Arkansas,” DeMillo said. “We also learn how to elevate a story that will obviously have a bigger overall impact.”
DeMillo’s stories appear in numerous formats, including the statewide Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, other newspapers, television stations and websites. Some reach a nationwide audience in such publications as The New York Times and The Washington Post
“To get an idea of how long I have been doing this, I started when Mike Huckabee was Governor and now I am covering his daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, in the same position,” DeMillo said.
Industry changes have affected his work dramatically. When DeMillo started, there were eight AP reporters on staff in Arkansas. Currently, he is a one-person bureau. But he appreciates the resources available from various editors and reporters across the
DeMillo primarily works from home, but does have a desk in the State Capitol building. His work has changed over the years, with more emphasis on photography, video and audio. Occasionally, he is called upon to be interviewed oncamera.
“As a print person at heart, that was the most terrifying thing ever the first time I did it,” DeMillo said. “But now you have to be versatile in your work and continue to learn new skills. You also have to be nimble and resourceful and admit when you don’t know something and willing to go find the answers.”
As is the case with many drawn to the newspaper business, DeMillo recognizes his strong strain of curiosity. “Being so directly involved in politics and government really feeds my curiosity,” he said. “I am called upon to gain an understanding of a wide range of topics, such as taxes, higher education, abortion issues and guns.”
While DeMillo primarily focuses on state government, as the only AP reporter in Arkansas, he occasionally branches out into other
Andrew DeMillo
DeMillo
Continued from page 1
news coverage. “And sometimes I get to do book reviews,” he said, a real treat for an avid reader.
In covering state government, DeMillo stresses the importance of looking beyond floor debates and votes. “I do a lot more reporting outside of the Capitol. A measure may pass by a huge margin, but you learn there may be some controversial issues involved,” he said. It is his job to pursue those issues and help make them clear to his audience.
Looking back over the years, DeMillo can remember several especially important stories he has covered.
One of them is an overarching series of stories on the immense political shift in his almost two decades at the Capitol — the movement in Arkansas from a reliably blue state politically to one that is almost completely red.
Another relates to the announcement in 2017 by thenGov. Asa Hutchinson of eight pending executions. “That one received a lot of national and international attention,” DeMillo said.
DeMillo witnessed one of the four executions that ultimately were carried out. “That was an incredibly difficult experience,” he said.
The third news event mentioned by DeMillo involved the March 31, 2023 tornado in Little Rock.
“That was a tough story to cover,” he said, noting the immediate impact and the varied video, audio and photography required.
“It also happened literally down the road from my house,” he said. “But personally, our immediate neighborhood was fine.”
reporters play in a changing and somewhat difficult news environment.
“The challenges to a free press include efforts to restrict or evade government transparency,” he said. “A free press requires open and transparent government. As reporters we have to advocate for that transparency every chance we get so the public isn’t kept in the dark.”
DeMillo also has extensive experience covering elections, including the one held earlier this week. His work involved compiling updates throughout the night and interviewing participants, including numerous voters. He said the main areas of emphasis in his coverage were the Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice race, the four Congressional races and the two state ballot issues.
DeMillo recognizes the important role he and other Arkansas
DeMillo grew up in Atlanta and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in sociology.
He displayed an early interest in writing and served on the staff of The Red & Black, the student newspaper at the university. “It was there that I covered my first trial, first election and wrote my first obituaries,” he said.
A journalism professor at the university, Conrad Fink, had a big impact on his early work. “He was an old-school newspaper guy, and he was a great mentor for me,” DeMillo said.
“I was a relatively shy person and newspaper work gave me an excuse to go out and talk to people,” he said. “When I got my first paycheck for writing, it opened up a whole new world for me.”
DeMillo gained experience as an intern at The Washington Post, The Seattle Times and the Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky.
Following graduation, DeMillo landed a position at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, serving there almost four years. Among his assignments were Little Rock city government and covering the Presidential campaign of Gen. Wesley Clark
His next stop was his current position with the Associated Press. DeMillo’s wife, Hilary, is a spokesperson for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. They have a son, Simon, who will be 11 in a couple of weeks.
“Our son displays a lot of curiosity and asks a lot of questions just like I always did,” DeMillo said. “Looking back on it, I now feel sorry for my parents,” he said with a laugh.
DeMillo with Arkansas Advocate Deputy Editor Antoinette Grajeda and UA Professor Emeritus Gerald Jordan at last month’s Press Freedom Gala.
DeMillo with wife Hilary and son Simon
DeMillo
Continued from page 2
DeMillo is an avid runner, hitting the road two or three times a week. He and his wife also have a Peloton bike and enjoy hiking. He loves to read, with emphasis on non-fiction histories and biographies. One of his goals is to read at least one biography on every President of the United States. He’s not sure there is one on Chester A. Arthur, but he’s looking.
DeMillo is certain that he has found the right career for his interests
2024 ArkLaMiss Conference kicks off in Vicksburg
Nationally-known sales and motivation speaker Ryan Dohrn presented the opening session, “Mastering the Top 10 Critical Sales Questions,” of the annual ArkLaMiss Circulation, Marketing & Audience Development Conference at the Ameristar Casino Hotel on Thursday afternoon. The conference, which is cohosted by APA and the Mississippi Press Association for newspaper professionals in the Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi area, will conclude on Friday.
and talents.
“I’m a history buff, so I love getting to witness history firsthand,” he said. “The cliché is true; we’re writing the first draft of history every day. As reporters we go to places and talk with people that many people never get a chance to. Any time I can write about major events and decisions – including how they occurred and how they affect people’s lives – I am reminded why this is a profession I love.”
Jim Williamson, former owner of Little River News, dies at 74
Jim A. Williamson of Ashdown, whose journalism career spanned more than 45 years, died November 4 at Hospice of Texarkana. He was 74.
Williamson was born in 1950 in Ranger, Texas. He was a graduate of the University of North Texas and started his career at the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
In 1976, he moved to Ashdown and began working for the Little River News. He purchased the News in 1978, and served as editor, photographer and co-publisher until 2005, when he sold the newspaper to Red River Publishing.
In 2006 he joined the Texarkana Gazette as the Southwest Arkansas reporter, covering Miller, Little River, Hempstead, Lafayette, Sevier, Howard and Pike counties, and worked there until his retirement in May 2019.
Over his career Williamson won numerous awards from APA, North & East Texas Press Association and Texas Associated Press Managing Editors for reporting and photography, as well as several National Press Association awards.
Williamson was named Ashdown Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1991,
Texarkana Gazette Employee of the Year 2007, W.E. Hussman Employee of the Year for Palmer Newspapers in 2007 and received a Arkansas Senate Citation in 2008 for Outstanding News Reporting and Photography for the Little River News and Texarkana Gazette.
Williamson was preceded in death by his mother Marjorie Jennings Williamson, brother-in-law Gerald Stripling, parents-inlaw Royce and Kippy Wilson and a nephew. He is survived by his wife of 47 years Katrina Wilson Williamson of Ashdown, father Homer Williamson of Ashdown, daughter and son-in-law Heather and Jimmy Stevenson of Texarkana; sister Juanita Stripling of Denton, Texas; brother-in-law T.O Wilson and wife Jane of Hot Springs, two grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 10, at Madden Funeral Home in Ashdown.
Jim Williamson
Log Cabin Democrat announces changes to publication days
The Log Cabin Democrat in Conway has announced that it will publish print editions on Wednesdays and Saturdays and will shift to e-editions for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, effective next week. The newspaper currently prints regular editions Tuesday-Friday, with an expanded Weekend Edition on Saturday. “The change in frequency of print editions will not affect the quality or quantity of local news the Log Cabin Democrat provides,” said Editor Jeanette Stewart. “Readers will enjoy robust print editions on Wednesdays and Saturdays, packed with even more local news and sports than they currently see.”
Stewart remarked that analytics show Wednesday and Saturday as the two most highly-read days for the newspaper. “Our Wednesday newspaper and our Weekend Edition on Saturday have been widely thought of as our ‘main’ papers for a long time,” said Stewart.
In addition to the expanded print editions, readers can look forward to increased coverage of local and statewide news and sports daily at thecabin.net
“With the rising costs of delivery and associated postal rate increases, the newspaper’s management decided this was a better solution for readers than substantially raising subscription rates or reducing hours of the staff,” said Stewart. “The Log Cabin Democrat has delivered local news to its readers for 145 years, and remains unmoved in its commitment to serve the communities in Faulkner County with vital news and sports.”
The Courier, Log Cabin Democrat add new puzzle content, pet tributes on websites
The Courier in Russellville and Log Cabin Democrat in Conway both announced in October the addition of puzzles and pet tributes to their regular features.
Puzzmo, a new puzzle gaming platform created by game developer Zach Gage with engineer Orta Therox, has been added to couriernews.com and thecabin.
net. Visitors can play the daily puzzles for free and have the option to subscribe for extra puzzles and other benefits. Puzzles are updated daily and include SpellTower, Flipkart, Typeshift, Really Bad Chess, PileUp Poker and a crossword.
Readers can also now place pet tributes up to 500 words with a photo via the websites.
After approval, the tribute will be uploaded to the website’s Pet Tributes section and will also run in the print edition on the last Saturday of each month in a section separate from human obituaries. The cost for pet tributes is set at $150 and includes a commemorative plaque.
Both newspapers are owned by Paxton Media Group and are the first in Arkansas to offer the new content.
Entries now being accepted for $25,000 Collier Prize investigative reporting award
The entry period for the $25,000 Collier Prize for State Government Accountability at the University of Florida, one of the largest journalism prizes in the nation, is now open.
The prize, announced annually at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, recognizes the best U. S. professional reporting on state government accountability in any medium or on any platform. It is designed to encourage coverage of state-level government in every state, focusing on investigative and political reporting.
Entries are based on state-level reporting in 2023 and can be submitted by any news organization.
Entry deadline is January 31, 2025. For more information on the award and to submit an entry, visit www.jou.ufl.edu/ collier-prize-for-state-governmentaccountability/ or contact Rick Hirsch, director, Collier Prize for State Government Accountability, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, at 954-610-2954 or richardhirsch@ufl.edu.
RATE CARDS REQUESTED
As we prepare for 2024, APA needs your current rate cards and media kits. Please send rate cards, circulation info and demographics, if available, to rebecca@arkansaspress.org so that we can make sure we have the most up-to-date information on file.
Guest Column: Press politicians on election promises
By Jim Pumarlo
Elections are over, and you breathe a sigh of relief. The exhaustive campaign season has concluded, and newsrooms can return to some level of normalcy.
Not so fast. The most substantive aspect of election coverage may loom. Your pages have been filled with campaign promises detailed in stories, letters to the editor and ads. The next logical step: Are the winners keeping their promises?
In that regard, mark April 1. It’s common to rate the president’s first 100 days in office. Why not do the same for other elected officials? Yes, it’s unreasonable to expect a great deal of policy-making in the first three months, but it’s an opportunity to get a flavor of lawmaker priorities and participation.
The lack of civility in politics prompts many to bemoan the 24/7/365 election cycle. The hyper partisanship unfortunately has permeated into local races. At the same time, this is an excellent reminder that election coverage cannot simply be turned on and turned off during campaign season. Benchmarking is likely easiest, and most relevant to readers, by focusing on local elected officials. Continuing coverage, if thoughtfully planned, goes a long way toward holding elected officials accountable. It also can enrich coverage of local public affairs, providing substantive content beyond blow-by-blow meeting reports.
Several angles can be pursued once newly elected bodies take shape. For example:
• Candidates emerge victorious propelled by a platform of what they represent and promise to accomplish. Prepare periodic scorecards of their performance.
• A new year often is accompanied by a new agenda – “state of the state” speeches by the mayor, county board chair or school board presidents. Detail their objectives and track progress, periodically generating stories and, where appropriate, editorial commentary.
• Elections can produce new voting blocs and change in governing dynamics. That may be easily noticed when individuals run on a party label. It’s less evident in nonpartisan contests. Reporters who regularly cover these bodies are in excellent position to analyze the changes and preview what might be in store.
This year’s acrimonious presidential election offers a more immediate opportunity for examination. Party-line voting is common among many voters, leading with the top of the ticket. Did that pattern hold sway this year?
Track the local voting percentages for the presidential nominees compared to other partisan races. Research the same percentages for the presidential election four years ago. Did margins remain basically static or where there significant changes? Any surprises in either regard?
Create a nice, easy-to-read graphic with the figures. Then connect with local party leaders or elder statemen to interpret the patterns. Consider maybe a retired public official, an incumbent who chose not to seek re-election or a political science professor at an area university.
Are you short on newsroom resources or simply exhausted from writing election stories? Explore point/counterpoint columns for the editorial page. You provide the theme, and others generate the content. Publish the commentaries side-by-side with their photos. Produce a nice graphic restating the final vote totals and maybe additional breakdown such as contrasting urban/rural districts –whatever might be appropriate.
A deeper review of what the voters said doesn’t have to be all rolled into the next day’s edition. Follow-up stories are excellent content for your newspaper in succeeding days and weeks and help readers know what the election results really mean.
Newsrooms should put as much effort into post-election reports as in ongoing campaign coverage. Both your newspaper and community will benefit.
Jim Pumarlo is former editor of the Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle. He writes, speaks and provides training on community newsroom success strategies. He is author of “Journalism Primer: A Guide to Community News Coverage,” “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in Small-Town Newspapers.” He can be reached at www.pumarlo.com and welcomes comments and questions at jim@pumarlo.com
