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President John F. Kennedy’s assassination: we remember 60 years later Guest Column: How my high school journalism class is changing my life By Juan Lucas
Arkansas Press Association
Publisher Weekly Vol.18 | No. 43 | Thursday, November 9, 2023 | Serving Press and State Since 1873
Yarbro dedicated to journalism, South Arkansas newspapers By any standard, Robyn Yarbro holds a challenging position in the world of Arkansas newspapers.
Referring to Silliman’s plan, Yarbro said at that time, “I think she started many, many years ago. She knew that I loved what I was doing. I loved our papers, and I loved our mission. So, she knew early on that I was here to stay.”
But she is more than up to the task. “I’m a fighter,” Yarbro said. “I’m going to fight hard for my newspapers, and I am going to fight for the people and the communities I serve.
Yarbro remembers that in high school she was recognized for selling the most ads for the yearbook. So, it was both ironic and natural that her first full-time job at the newspaper was in sales as a classified clerk.
“I don’t think I could be in a job that’s just a job,” she continued. “I have to love what I do and have to feel I am serving a real purpose. That’s what makes Robyn tick.”
She worked in several areas of the newspaper, but primarily in the advertising department. Prior to assuming the GM role, she was serving as director of business development for the Camden and Magnolia publications.
The beneficiaries of that commitment are the readers and advertisers of the three South Arkansas newspapers she serves as general manager – the El Dorado News-Times, the Camden News and the Magnolia Banner-News.
Yarbro takes a handson approach to her management role. “I can’t ask an employee to do something I haven’t done,” she said, when accepting her current position. “I’m going to get in the trenches with the people I manage, and we’re going to get the job done.”
Yarbro’s entire working career has been devoted to her love of newspapers, from the day she first was employed part-time in 1997 as a teenaged intern at the Camden News. She continued working at the newspaper while earning Robyn Yarbro an associate degree in business from Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden. “I just never left,” she said. “It definitely gets in your blood.”
After assuming management of the Camden and Magnolia newspapers in January 2020, Yarbro added the El Dorado operation in August of that same year.
Long-time Camden News general manager Sue Silliman obviously saw the potential of Yarbro and, in essence, groomed her to take over the general manager position upon her retirement in 2019.
Adding to the potential stress of her new duties, it was also the year the COVID-19 epidemic hit. “COVID took it to a whole new See Yarbro Page 3
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Congratulations on 150 years. Simmons Bank congratulates the Arkansas Press Association (APA) on 150 years in business and all it has achieved for our state. As Arkansas’s first trade association and the oldest professional association in the state, APA has paved the way for the freedom of press. Simmons recently celebrated 120 years in business, so we feel a special connection with organizations that share a long history of serving our local communities. We’re proud to be in great company with the APA and look forward to the next 150 years!
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Yarbro Continued from page 1
including the decline in pre-print revenue is, of course, a concern for Yarbro. But she is proud of how aggressive her newspaper staff are in developing new revenue streams.
level,” she said of the challenges faced by the entire staff. The editorial department went 100 percent off-site to prevent possible spreading of the virus among employees. “Our duty is to be able to get a product out each day,” she said.
“We offer a full range of digital products,” she said, adding that business development personnel work with companies in improving their visibility on platforms such as Google.
That year also included the implementation of iPad distribution and training for subscribers in El Dorado by WEHCO Media, Yarbo’s parent company.
Yarbro said the various newspaper staffs in the WEHCO organization help each other when one branch may be short-handed or needs technical assistance. “For example, we are down a reporter right now in Camden and our sister papers are helping out. In fact, I would say the level of cooperation right now is the best I have ever seen in my career.”
Yarbro and her company have developed a unique business model for the most efficient and successful delivery of news and advertising to the three markets. The Camden and Magnolia newspapers produce a digital product six days a week and a printed product each Wednesday. The print product is distributed in racks and through the mail and includes important preprint advertising and legal notices. The El Dorado newspaper has both print and digital versions seven days a week. The printed newspaper is delivered in racks-only six days a week, while the Sunday product also is delivered by carriers to subscribers.
Another challenge, Yarbro noted, is the overall condition of the workforce. “When you lose someone, it’s hard to find people to take their place. It’s different right now than I’ve ever seen it.” She said the declining population in South Arkansas is a contributing factor in the workforce shortage. Despite the challenges faced by the region, Yarbro said all three of her communities enjoy a lot of positives.
IPads are loaned to El Dorado subscribers to facilitate accessing the digital product each day. The same devices are available to Magnolia and Camden subscribers on a rental basis.
Camden is benefiting from burgeoning defense industry Yarbro speaks against HB1399, which would have allowed public notices to be posted online, at the employment in the area. State Capitol last February. (photo courtesy Stephen Swofford, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) All three operations Community leaders are essentially are 24/7 local renovating numerous information centers with buildings and also are sponsoring a special event and sales news, sports and marketing updated on the website and through promotion one day each month in the downtown area. emails, texts, newsletters and other digital means. The tremendous growth and success of Southern Arkansas “I can’t take credit for our business plan,” Yarbro said. “The credit University has been an exciting quality of life factor for Magnolia. goes to (WEHCO chairman) Walter E Hussman, Jr., who is the The potential development of lithium plants in Columbia County smartest man I know. I do strongly believe we’ve come up with the bodes well for the future of the area. best business plan for what we are dealing with. Visitors to El Dorado are aware of the dynamic downtown area and “I think we have the best of both worlds,” Yarbro said in relation to the various music and entertainment opportunities offered. the print-digital combination. When it was completed earlier this year, the Union Power Project She especially focuses on ways to increase digital revenue in was the largest independent power plant in the country. El Dorado today’s changing environment. “Growth is always the goal for me,” also benefits greatly from the presence of Murphy USA in the she said. “We never take the foot off the pedal of print, but we work community. hard to grow the digital solution side as well.” Yarbro makes her presence felt in all three communities. She works The digital component is especially important for attracting in El Dorado at least two days a week and spends the rest of the younger readers, she said. “Younger readers want the news to find time in the other two communities based on varied operational them,” she points out. issues. The well-documented challenge to newspaper advertising, See Yarbro Page 4 Arkansas Publisher Weekly
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Yarbro Continued from page 3
and continues to communicate with the legislators in her area concerning the importance of government transparency.
Looking to the future of newspapers, Yarbro said one of her responsibilities is to connect directly with readers. “I am going to continue to try to educate our readers that in subscribing to their newspaper they are also supporting the overall community. Sometimes our readers don’t see the big picture until someone helps point it out to them.
“I have a really good relationship with my state legislators,” she said. “I listen to where they are and they do the same for me. At the end of the day we don’t always agree, but we respect one another.” Concerning her life away from the newspaper, Yarbro said, “I spend a lot of time doing what my 13-year-old daughter (Anna) wants to do,” she said with a laugh.
“I will say the sense of community in the smaller markets is often better, and I am proud of the good group of loyal readers that we have.” Yarbro also strongly believes her mission of fighting for newspapers has implications for defending and promoting democracy in our society. With that in mind, she has worked closely with APA executive director Ashley Kemp Wimberley in defending the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
She and her husband Jody also have a son, Tyler. He and his wife Carrington have a daughter, ninemonth-old Kylah.
By any measure, Robyn Yarbro has a lot on her newspaper plate. Her Yarbro presents Walter E. Hussman Jr. with an award on behalf of Ouachita tireless support of her communities, Partnership for Economic Development for investing in Camden. her lifelong love of newspapers and her stirring commitment to a free “Less information is not ever better,” press serve as an impressive model for others in the industry – she said. “We’ll continue to fight the good fight for the people of and for young people considering journalism as a profession. She Arkansas.” demonstrates what can be accomplished when the challenge is Yarbro has testified at committee meetings at the State Capitol embraced rather than feared.
Connecting People and Communities At the heart of journalism lies an unwavering drive to improve lives. Whether chronicling the history of a community and its people, or standing as the watchdog for truth and integrity, journalists are passionate about making a difference for others. We understand. For over 140 years, AT&T has been investing in Arkansas, connecting people and communities across the state with each other and the world. Congratulations to the members of the APA on 150 years of outstanding journalism, helping make Arkansas a great place in which to live and work.
© 2023 AT&T Intellectual Property. AT&T, Globe logo, Mobilizing Your World are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
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EARN YOUR
PRESS PASS What is Earn Your Press Pass? Earn Your Press Pass is a simple course, covering the basics of community journalism. It is designed to train those with limited or no news experience to work for their local newspaper,helping to create valuable coverage. It is taught by Lindsey Young, a community journalist and publisher with 10 years of high school teaching experience.
What does the course include? V.
I.
Introduction
II.
Newspaper Jargon
Writing Techniques A. Writing on deadline B. Fun with leads C. Using quotes D. Headline writing E. Cutline writing F. Thinking outside the pyramid
A. Parts of a newspaper B. Other terms to know
III. Interviewing
A. Who should I interview? B. Preparing for an interview C. Conducting an interview D. Interview follow-up E. Source problems and issues F. Let’s practice.
IV.
VI.
Photography
X.
Final Bits of Advice
•
Sections are feature videos and printable cheat sheets
•
Lessons will continue to be added/updated.
Associated Press
VII. Style Editing
A. Tips for effective editing B. Revising and rewriting C. Let’s practice.
Types of Stories
A. Newsworthiness B. News-writing basics C. Breaking and hard news stories D. Covering a meeting E. Working a press release F. Writing a feature story G. Covering sports H. Opinion writing
IX.
VIII. Journalist Rights and Ethics
A. Taking good photos B. Editing photos C. Dealing with submitted photos
A. Keeping yourself organized B. Preparing files for layout C. I have nothing to write about. Help!
A. Your right to know B. Avoiding libel C. Journalism ethics D. Contradictions of community journalism
“I was extremely impressed. Lindsey even taught this old dog some new tricks. The content is solid, it’s easy to use, and you can sign into and out of the program as your time allows. Lindsey’s engaging nature makes the lessons enjoyable, which makes you look forward to the next segment.” DONNIS BAGGETT, TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
Executive vice president and a 50-year veteran of small and large Texas newsrooms
Arkansas Publisher Weekly
ARKANSASPRESS.ORG
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For more information, contact Ashley Kemp Wimberley at ashley@arkansaspress.org November 2, 2023
President John F. Kennedy’s assassination: we remember 60 years later By Jeff Meek, Hot Springs Village Voice correspondent Special to Arkansas Publisher Weekly November 22, 1963 is a date many Americans will never forget. They can tell you where they were when they first heard the news that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated in Dallas, Texas, as his motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza. The shock of the event paralyzed the nation for the next four days. The political climate in Texas at that time was volatile and the 1964 presidential election was on the horizon, so Kennedy wanted to make the trip to shore up support. He and wife Jackie first flew to San Antonio on Nov. 21, to dedicate new facilities at the Aerospace Medical Center, then to Houston and finally that day to Fort Worth where they would spend the night before arriving in Dallas that next morning. After making a speech outside the Texas Hotel, the president and Jackie attended a breakfast, then traveled to Carswell Air Force Base for the short 30-mile flight to Love Field. A motorcade was planned through the streets of downtown Dallas. Riding in the presidential limousine with the Kennedys was Texas Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie. The streets were jammed with well-wishers and as the limousine approached Dealey Plaza Mrs. Connally said to the president, “You can’t say Dallas doesn’t love you.”
Dealey Plaza, site of the Nov. 22, 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The Texas School Book Depository, from where the Warren Commission concluded all three shots were fired, is at center. (Jeff Meek photo)
Ruby was arrested, telling officers he did it to spare Mrs. Kennedy the ordeal of having to attend the trial of Oswald. Ruby was convicted of murder, sentenced to death, but upon appeal was granted a new trial to take place in 1967. However, Ruby died of cancer on Jan. 3, 1967. Ironically, all three central figures – Kennedy, Oswald and Ruby – all died at Parkland.
Just moments later, at 12:30 p.m., three shots rang out as the motorcade traveled down Elm Street at 11 miles an hour heading to the Trade Mart for another Kennedy speech. Kennedy and Connally, both struck by bullets, were rushed to Parkland Hospital where Connally was treated for several wounds and President Kennedy pronounced dead, killed by a head shot that shattered the president’s skull.
In September 1964, the Warren Report was issued that stated that Oswald was a lone gunman, but in the late 1970s the House Select Committee on Assassinations re-investigated the assassination and concluded there was a conspiracy to assassinate JFK. The final report stated that there was a 95 percent chance, or better, that a shot had been fired from in front of Kennedy, thus a fourth shot had been fired that day in Dallas.
Soon the Dallas Police radio announced that an officer had been shot in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. Officer J.D. Tippit was found dead near the corner of 10th and Patton streets. Minutes later police were told that a suspicious man had entered the nearby Texas Theater. Police arrived and after a brief scuffle, Officer M.N. McDonald, with some help from his fellow officers, arrested Lee Harvey Oswald and took him in for questioning, not then knowing that Oswald worked at the Texas School Book Depository, where the location of shots fired was under investigation. Oswald soon became the chief suspect in the Kennedy killing.
For 60 years the case has drawn attention, with many researchers pointing out numerous inconsistencies in the evidence. A thousand or more books have been written about the murder and government documents released over the years showed that much information was withheld from the Warren Commission. Still to this day, documents are being withheld from the public. So, was it a conspiracy or not? Will we ever know for sure? Many doubt that all the facts will come to light. Many believe Oswald did it alone. Others are convinced of a conspiracy. It remains one of our nation’s most traumatic historical events that may or may not ever be solved.
Oswald was charged with both murders, denied everything, and announced to the many reporters now inside Dallas Police headquarters that he was just a patsy. He was extensively questioned by authorities but admitted nothing.
______________________________________________________
Two days later, on Nov. 24, he was to be transferred to the Dallas County jail. After more questioning, Oswald was brought down to the department basement for transfer. Handcuffed to Officer James Leavelle and just a few feet away from an awaiting vehicle, Oswald was shot once by Jack Ruby.
Journalist and author Jeff Meek has been researching the JFK assassination and Kennedy administration off and on for nearly 50 years. His most recent book, “The JFK Files: Pieces of the Assassination Puzzle,” was published in August.
Soon Oswald was pronounced dead at Parkland Hospital and Arkansas Publisher Weekly
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THANK YOU. Behind every business and bold move were those who made things happen. We appreciate our communities and customers for letting us serve them. We thank Arkansas newspapers for sharing our safety education, energy assistance and efficiency resources with readers.
Central High School journos take honors at national conference The Little Rock Central High School Tiger student newsmagazine earned Sixth Place Best of Show at the National High School Journalism Conference in Boston this past weekend. Additionally, Tiger staffers winning individual awards in the National Scholastic Media Contest on November 3 are: Mimi Abochale, Superior Award Medal for Yearbook Theme Layout Josh McNeil, Superior Award Medal for Newspaper Sports Writing Honorable Mention awards were earned by the following students: Allie Fisken, Yearbook Student Life story and caption writing Asia Green, Yearbook Academics story and caption writing Layne Joheim, Themed Photograph Jaya Khullar, Newspaper Editorial Writing The students traveled to Boston with journalism teacher and student news adviser Beth Shull.
2023-24 Central High Tiger staff
with student populations of 1800 +
More than 4,800 high school journalists and advisers attended the convention, which was hosted by the National Scholastic Press Association and Journalism Education Association. Schools attending were eligible to participate in this on-site competition, which awarded the top ten entries in categories for each type of media. The Tiger was judged among newsmagazines from schools
In all, 1,453 students competed in photo, broadcast, graphic design, literary magazine, design and writing contests. There were 601 students recognized with 92 superior, 183 excellent and 326 honorable mention awards. All the competitors had their submissions assessed by teams of judges.
Producers of new true crime Slimp to hold InDesign docuseries utilize FOIA for info webinar at month’s end Well-known Adobe expert Kevin Slimp will hold a live webinar on Adobe InDesign basics for newspapers on Thursday, November 30, at 1 p.m.
Producers of an upcoming three-part docuseries on the 1980 murder of musician John Lennon used the Freedom of Information Act as a tool for research, according to a news release from AppleTV+.
“This class is for new hires or anyone who never got to attend a basic InDesign class and would like to learn the tools that they’ve missed while working through InDesign on their own,” said Slimp.
The production team on “John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial” was granted “extensive Freedom of Information Act requests from the New York City Police Department, the Board of Parole and the District Attorney’s office,” according to the release. The information gained by this access help make the docuseries “the most thoroughly researched examination” of the crime.
Topics to be covered include: • Learning to use multiple methods of creating and placing text • Taking control of the text before it even goes on the page • Working with images and shapes • Creating and using different types of styles (character, paragraph, object) • Placing and editing objects and photos
Lennon was murdered by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 at the entrance of the Dakota, his residence in New York City. Chapman confessed to the killing and was sentenced to between 20 years and life in prison. The docuseries is directed by Nick Holt and Rob Coldstream, and narrated by Kiefer Sutherland. The release date has not yet been announced.
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.
Arkansas Publisher Weekly
• Creating and placing tables from Excel and other applications • Using and creating colors, gradients and more • Using scripts • Using the panels (palettes) and tools in the InDesign Toolbar • Creating PDF files that print well on newsprint • Using the latest tools available in InDesign
Cost to attend is $89. Registration and more info can be found at newspaperacademy.com/webinar/zerohero/ 8
November 2, 2023
Guest Column: How my high school journalism class is changing my life By Juan Lucas, Drew Central High School, Monticello
I never really thought about myself joining journalism or the yearbook club when I was younger. It really has opened many doors for me and has unlocked more interests for me. Last year was my first, raw experience with the yearbook. I did not really know what to expect. It was also everyone else’s first experience so everything was stressful from the beginning. I learned a lot about the yearbook. How it is made, the software program that is used, and so many more things. In the beginning I struggled with how to make the pages. I felt like I lacked creativity to make a page. I was always stuck on how to design the page and sometimes even restarted. Over time I got better at creating page designs and eventually got more confident with every page that I completed. Page design became one of my strong points by the end of the year. Another one of the many things that I learned was how to use a camera. When we first started, everything seemed very confusing but I eventually got the hang of it. Just choose your target and snap away. Photography has recently become one of my many hobbies. I just love to see the outcome and see if the photographs turned out to be good shots or not. I want to make memories with photos. I offered to take pictures at the football and basketball games last year and went on to take
Arkansas Publisher Weekly
pictures during our Battle of the Classes. It is very fun to be down on the court or the field where all the action is happening. Photography is something I hope to continue to learn about and develop skills in so that I can continue to enjoy this hobby for a lifetime. I think our little, after-school newspaper that we had my freshman year influenced my decision about joining the journalism class to help with the yearbook. For the after-school newspaper, I would write articles about the football games, and when the basketball season started I would write about that too. I love to write about things that I enjoy; sports, music, or anything I was very passionate about. I have been told by my teachers that I am a strong writer. Writing is a valuable skill to have when joining the yearbook and journalism. Later in the year, we were given the opportunity to write for the Advance-Monticellonian. It really surprised and excited me that we were given such a great opportunity. I obviously said, “Yes!” to it because imagine the opportunities I could get from this. I just have the talents and interest to thrive in something like writing articles for the newspaper. I am glad and appreciative for every chance that I have been given. I learned much from my experience with the newspaper. Meeting deadlines, interviewing, photography,
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writing, editing and brainstorming are just some of the skills that I have had to develop and use to write for my journalism class and the newspaper. My career choices have not been made yet. I do see myself being successful in this though. I have lots of choices to make by the end of my senior year, but for now I am just enjoying writing. I feel like I can express myself more when I write. Overall, my experience joining journalism has been great. I will always remember everything I have learned and accomplished through the yearbook and journalism program. I just gained so much from it. Because of writing articles for the local newspaper and my interest in photography, I now have many more career options than I did before. Joining journalism was the right decision for me. I enjoy the doors it has opened for me. I have now started my second year of journalism, and it has been good. I am ready to learn more and gain more experiences as I continue along this road. ________________________________ Juan Lucas is a senior at Drew Central High School. This column was first published in the Advance-Monticellonian on October 25, 2023. Reprinted with permission.
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