Arkansas Publisher Weekly: August 10, 2023

Guest Column:

By Dean Ridings

Awards presented at APA Better Newspaper Editorial Contest

Several major awards were presented to journalists at the recent APA Convention at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock. It was a special convention this year as it marked the 150th anniversary of the founding of the APA, the oldest trade association in the state.

The winners were announced as part of the annual APA Better Newspaper Editorial Contest awards ceremony.

“It was gratifying to honor these outstanding journalists as they are continuing the standard of excellence established by the special awards’ namesakes,” said APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley. “The work of these dedicated honorees shows that the newspaper industry in Arkansas remains in good hands.”

The awards, along with comments from each recipient, are:

FREEMAN-GREENBERG PRIZE FOR EDITORIAL WRITING

The award is named in honor of Edmond W. Freeman III, longtime publisher of the Pine Bluff Commercial, and Paul Greenberg, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial page editor of the Commercial and later editorial page editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

The winner’s editorial was entitled “Being left with broken pieces,” with the judges remarking that it addressed a tough subject that needs more attention.

Steve Watts, editor, The Daily Citizen, Searcy:

“Sometimes you just want to know how you measure up, or if you even do.

It’s not necessarily a need to be the best or to win, although those are often the measures that are used. It’s simply a desire for confirmation that you are pretty good at what you’ve chosen to do.

That’s why I was so pleased to be named the Freeman-Greenberg Prize winner. In its second year, the specialty award is given to the top editorialist among all the winning editorialists in the state.

It was my Oscar moment, or as close as I’ll probably get to one. (OK, the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing, which Paul Greenberg once won, is probably more equivalent to an Oscar, but it’s still a great honor to be recognized for your writing among journalists

you know and respect for their ability.)

Our former sports editor, Mark Buffalo, told me that I should have seen the look on my face when my name was announced. I was certainly shocked, especially since I thought my third-place editorial, ‘Rally around Chandler,’ was my better editorial. I did not think I would win for ‘Being left with broken pieces.’

That editorial concerned the fatal shootings of 23-year-old Maddison Clevenger in Searcy in May 2020 and 17-year-old Hunter Brittain of McRae in June 2021 and how ‘too many of us are just being left with broken pieces from the perpetual cycle of violence.’ The judge who picked that editorial as the winner wrote that it was a ‘tough subject that needs more attention.’

I am truly grateful to be able to share my opinion with our readers each week, even if it can be challenging sometimes both to pick a topic and to share my thoughts on it. It is just one person’s opinion, of no greater value than anyone else’s viewpoint, but at least for this year I have evidence that it measures up against the best editorial writing in the state.”

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Steve Watts

Awards

I.F. STONE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

This award is named for a crusader and muckraker in the 1950s and 1960s, who passed away in 1989.

The award recognizes journalists who uncover the abuse of power, influence and money by government officials.

Will Langhorne, reporter, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock:

“I’m honored to have received this year’s I.F. Stone Award and am thankful for all the help I received from my editors at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. As a newcomer to the state, I’ve also been fortunate to work alongside several veteran journalists who have helped guide and inform my reporting.

Encouraging and investing in investigative journalism is becoming increasingly important as news deserts expand across the country and media organizations are forced to make difficult decisions about how to allocate their resources.

At the city and county level, reporters are often the only watchdogs keeping an eye on local governments and organizations. By scrutinizing budgets, tracking policies and drilling into local disputes, these journalists break important investigative stories for their communities that would otherwise have gone unreported.

At the state and regional level, journalists play a critical role in monitoring the actions of agencies, elected officials and powerful companies. These investigative reporters are crucial when it comes to keeping influential figures accountable.

Thank you to the Arkansas Press Association for supporting investigative journalism. “

ERNIE DEANE-BRENDA BLAGG AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN COLUMN WRITING

The annual $1,000 award, this being the first, memorializes the late columnists Ernie Deane, a journalist, educator and historian who for decades wrote “The Arkansas Traveler” and “Ozarks Country,” and Brenda Blagg, whose column, “Between the Lines,” ran from 1979 to 2022.

It is funded through the Ernie Deane Endowment, which is intended to support the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation’s charitable and educational purposes.

Not only were Ernie and Brenda teacher and student, they shared a deep love for Arkansas and were role models for many journalists and the journalism profession.

Frances Deane Alexander, Ernie’s daughter and Brenda’s friend, helped make this new award possible.

Ellen Kreth, publisher, Madison County Record, Huntsville: “To be presented an award named for two of Arkansas’ greatest and most respected columnists is both an honor and intimidating.  Ernie Deane and Brenda Blagg were powerful in the words they chose and the points they made. I was a huge fan of Brenda’s fight for transparency too and the way she would use her columns to make others aware of the importance of being aware.

Deane and Blagg both demonstrated consistency. They were dedicated journalists for their lifetimes. Their columns showed up on people’s doorsteps and later computers on a consistent basis and readers felt they had a trusted friend to guide them through Arkansas history as well as thorny issues facing communities.

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Will Langhorne

Ellen Kreth receives award from Ashley Kemp Wimberley

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Column writing leaves the writer vulnerable to attack. I admire their tough-skinned approach while also not being afraid to share their opinions.

I’ve tried to use those lessons at The Record by taking a stand for what we believe to be best for our community, not just sharing our opinion for the sake of that but studying the landscape of our community and then sharing actions or thoughts we believe would be for the greater good, to make our community a better place.

We try to inform our readers of the issues that face them and then share our knowledge to make our readers more informed, to hold public officials accountable. Sometimes the column has to be biting because the issue is, other times, we can share options and analysis. We can use our voice to argue a point or to guide a reader.

Either approach has to be built on trust, respect and consistency — all three hallmark attributes of Deane and Blagg.

Democracy and journalism go hand-in-hand. People need to be informed to make decisions. Columnists have a unique role in a paper, they get to process the facts and then explain the issues in a way that is more like visiting with your neighbor at a coffee shop.“

CHARLES GORDON NEWMAN AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED NEWS STORY

This award is named in honor of the founder of the Pine Bluff Commercial and a founder of the Arkansas Press Association, Charles Gordon Newman.

The story was entitled “’Nothing to it:’ Reese responds to police report, tax liens.” The judges said this was a “clear winner in a crowded category. Great job with what was undoubtedly and uncomfortable story that needed to be reported.”

Scott Loftis, editor and publisher, Carroll County Community Media, Berryville:

“I have to admit I was quite surprised to win the Newman Prize. I often say that ‘small’ newspapers can do big things, but even I expected the Newman award to go to someone from one of the big daily papers.

I love working for a ‘community newspaper’ and letting our readers know about all the good things happening in our community, but part of being a responsible newspaper is also

letting our readers know about things that might not be so ‘positive.’ I spent most of my career before I came to Carroll County at those big daily newspapers and as a journalist my favorite stories to tell are still those that someone doesn’t want me to tell. This was certainly one of those and when I interviewed the subject of the story, he seemed to be vaguely threatening.

‘I will take very serious if that, if everything in that is put out in the newspaper,’ he said.

‘You should take it seriously,’ I replied. ‘It’s a serious matter.’

This was an important story about a candidate for public office. People need to know everything they can about who’s asking for their vote. I’m glad we were able to do our job and shine some light into a dark corner.

I spent more than 10 years working at the Pine Bluff Commercial, which Charles Gordon Newman founded. He also was a cofounder of the Arkansas Press Association, and I serve on the APA’s board of directors. My connections to the Commercial and the APA made the award even more gratifying.”

Scott Loftis is presented his award by Ashley Kemp Wimberley

A Greater Voic e

AMPLIFYING THE POWER OF THE PRESS.

Bank OZK proudly supports the Arkansas Press Association (APA) and its vital mission to nurture Arkansas newspapers with the knowledge and resources they need to grow and thrive. As one of the state's most esteemed professional associations for 150 years, the APA has been a powerful voice for freedom of the press. By connecting our communities through authentic and impactful content, we can unlock even greater possibilities.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Michelle Rossow

Chief Communications O cer

michelle.rossow@ozk.com | (501) 471-8475

Thompson new executive editor at NWA Democrat-Gazette

weekly publications, in addition to representing the newspapers in the community.

“I’m confident in Lisa’s ability to lead the newsroom and ensure our readers are getting the best possible product,” Publisher Eliza Hussman Gaines said in an announcement of the promotion. “Lisa has been in the journalism industry for almost 40 years, a majority of that time spent with our company. In addition to her experience, she has excellent news judgment and a deep knowledge of the communities served by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. I’m excited to see what she does in this role.”

Sunday editor in 2002. She was promoted to managing editor in 2004. She has previously worked at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in both Little Rock and northwest Arkansas, the Idaho Statesman in Boise and the Anchorage Times in Alaska. She and her husband, Doug Thompson, live in Fayetteville and have four children and three grandchildren.

Lisa Thompson has been named the new executive editor of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the newspaper announced.

The promotion was effective Aug. 3. Thompson had been acting in that position since the retirement of former Editor Rusty Turner on May 19.

As executive editor, Thompson will supervise the editors, reporters, photographers and designers at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the River Valley Democrat-Gazette in Fort Smith and NWA Media’s area

“Lisa has the experience and knowledge to lead the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette into new and exciting places,” said Brent Powers, president of NWA Media, in the announcement. “I know that she will bring the same passion she has displayed in the managing editor role to her new executive editor role.”

Thompson holds a bachelor of arts in journalism with a minor in legal studies from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She came to The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas, which was later merged with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, as

“I am honored that Eliza and the rest of the management team at WEHCO have entrusted me with the responsibility to continue to make the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette the source for news and information in our circulation area,” Thompson said. “Rusty Turner was both an outstanding newspaper editor and a respected, active member of the Northwest Arkansas community. He will be a very hard act to follow.

“I’m lucky to work with a great staff of journalists who strive every day to bring our readers the best they can produce to tell the stories of this region -- its places and people -- as only neighbors can,” Thompson continued. “I want to thank the Northwest Arkansas-Democrat Gazette’s leadership for this personal opportunity but -- more than that -- I want to thank them for their commitment to keeping the readers of this region and this state informed.”

Lisa Thompson

Hogg named General Manager, McDonald promoted to Editor, Everett joins ad team at Advance-Monticellonian

The Advance-Monticellonian in Monticello has announced recent role changes and staff additions.

Ashley Hogg, who previously served as managing editor, has been named as the newspaper’s general manager and has also taken over advertising director duties following the retirement of former advertising manager Vicki Kelly earlier this summer.

Hogg had been in the managing editor position since February 2022, after having worked as a reporter, in advertising sales and in the bookkeeping department. She also currently serves as the managing editor for The Eagle Democrat in Warren.

Jeff McDonald has been promoted to the newspaper’s editor. McDonald joined the Advance-Monticellonian in March of this year and, according to Hogg, has taken responsibility for almost every aspect of editorial content for the newspaper since.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the excellent job Jeff has been doing for the

Advance,” said Hogg in the newspaper announcement of the promotions. “He is worthy of this promotion and I am excited about the opportunities ahead of this team.”

“I’m very honored to be in this position,” McDonald said. “We have a great team here, and I’m looking forward to the future of the Advance-Monticellonian.”

Sierra Everett has joined the newspaper’s advertising department. Everett, who has lived in Drew County since early childhood and has retail sales and management experience, is a graduate of Drew Central High School and holds an associates degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

“I have loved working with the entire team at the Advance-Monticellonian thus far,” said Everett. “They have all provided me with so much insight and guidance throughout this learning experience and I could not be more appreciative.

“Sierra brings fresh ideas and a sense of excitement not only to the advertising department, but to the entire office,” said Hogg. “She is a great asset. The future of the Advance is very bright with the staff we have in place.”

Smith, former sports editor at Morning News, dies at 63

Brian Lee Smith died July 2, 2023, at his home in Van Buren. He was 63.

Smith was born in Memphis and raised in Leachville. A 1978 graduate of Leachville High School, Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He worked several years as a sportswriter and was later the sports editor for the Northwest Arkansas Morning News in Springdale before returning to Leachville to work with his family as a licensed funeral director.

He then worked as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Manila and returned to northwest Arkansas with a job with the Postal Distribution Center in Fort Smith, where he met his wife, Somer Jones

Survivors include his wife; his son, Andy Smith (Katie) of Little Rock; his stepchildren, Ethan McPeek of Liberty, Oklahoma, and Hannah Arter and Shayla Arter, both of Van Buren; his parents, Earl and Martha Jo Smith of Leachville and his brother, Greg Smith (Melinda) of Jonesboro. Funeral services were held July 6 in Leachville.

Ashley Hogg

Jeff McDonald

Sierra Everett

Brian Smith

ARVBands new APA Associate

Member

APA welcomes Arkansas River Valley Bands, an online news organization based in Van Buren, as an Associate Member. The news site is dedicated to covering local high school band programs.

Owner and Photographer Christopher Welch launched Arkan sas River Bands in June 2017 to highlight the hard work and ded ication of high school musicians in Alma, Booneville, Cedarville, Charleston, County Line, Fort Smith, Greenwood, Hackett, Lava ca, Magazine, Mansfield, Mountainburg, Ozark, Paris, Van Buren and Waldron.

“Arkansas River Valley Bands, or ARVBands, was started because I saw a hole in the media coverage of these talented young musicians,” Welch said. “It first began using only my cellphone and a small camera.”

THROWBACK THURSDAY

General Excellence Winners since 2013

One of the most highly coveted awards at the annual APA Better Newspaper Editorial Contest is that of General Excellence. General Excellence winners are determined by a points system, with the overall number of points from individual winning entries determining the first, second and third-place General Excellence winners in each division.

Below is a list of first-place General Excellence winners over the last decade.

Batesville Daily Guard: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018

Bella Vista, The Weekly Vista: 2015, 2016

Benton, The Saline Courier: 2014, 2015, 2016, 201, 2019

Berryville, Carroll County News: 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Farmington/Lincoln, Washington County Enterprise-Leader: 2015, 2016, 2019

Fayetteville, Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023

Hardy, Spring River Chronicle: 2020, 2021

The Helena World: 2022, 2023

Hot Springs, The Sentinel-Record: 2020, 2022

Jacksonville, The Leader: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

During the fall ARVBands travels to area high school football games to highlight the bands during marching season. “We call this Friday Night Feature,” Welch said. “2023 will be our seventh year of Friday Night Features.”

In addition to halftime shows, ARVBands covers and livestreams area marching contests, the Region 8 Marching Assessment, the Region 8 All-Region tryout and concert for symphonic and jazz band, and any other area band event, concert or competition. Last year ARVBands also covered the Arkansas State Marching Band Contest, where eight River Valley area bands competed for the State Championship.

“Our motto is ‘Covering area bands where you live,’” said Welch. The website is arvbands.wixsite.com/arvbands. Coverage can also be found on YouTube on the Arkansas River Valley Bands channel and on Facebook, Instagram and Threads at @arvbands.

“We have 1,500 followers on Facebook and 1,100 on Instagram,” said Welch. “As a new APA Associate Member, I feel my work for these students is validated. I hope to learn and grow in this new media community.”

Little Rock, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021

Mountain Home, The Baxter Bulletin: 2013

Nashville Leader: 2014

North Little Rock, The Times: 2018

Pea Ridge, The Times: 2013, 2014

Searcy, The Daily Citizen: 2013, 2021, 2023

Siloam Springs Herald-Leader: 2014, 2019

Van Buren, Press Argus-Courier: 2017

Representing the 2014 winners for General Excellence in the Better Newspaper Editorial Contest were (from left): John Robert Schirmer of the Nashville Leader, Paul Glover of the Batesville Daily Guard, Brent Davis of The Saline Courier in Benton, Frank Fellone of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock, Annette Beard of The Times in Pea Ridge and Graham Thomas of the Herald-Leader in Siloam Springs.

The Mansfield Tiger marching band performing

Missouri Press Association executive elected NAM president

Mark Maassen, executive director of the Missouri Press Association, was elected president of Newspaper Association Managers, Inc. (NAM), during the group’s 100th Annual Summer Conference Aug. 4 in Denver, the city where the organization was founded in 1923.

Maassen will serve a one-year term as president of NAM. A journalism graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Maassen spent three decades in sales and management at the Kansas City Star before joining Missouri Press as chief executive in 2015.

Also elected to officer positions were Vice President Brian Allfrey, executive director of the Utah Press Association, and Secretary Phil Lucey, executive director

of the North Carolina Press Association. Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, was elected to serve a three-year term on the board.

Laurie Hieb, executive director of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, becomes immediate past president.

Continuing director is Ashley Kemp Wimberley, executive director of the Arkansas Press Association. Past President Layne Bruce, executive director of the Mississippi Press Association, serves as the organization’s clerk.

Celebrating its centennial year in 2023, NAM is a consortium of state, provincial and national trade groups representing the newspaper media industry in the United States and Canada.

Tenney, DelBene introduce the Community News & Small Business Support Act to help sustain local newspapers

The Community News & Small Business Support Act was announced July 21 by the sponsors, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R, NY-24) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D, WA-1), both members of the Ways and Means Committee.

The bipartisan legislation supports

two institutions critical to sustaining hometown communities – local news organizations and small businesses. The new bill, which is similar to the Local Journalism Sustainability Act which was introduced in the 117th Congress, makes significant refundable tax credits available

to local newspapers to help support their newsroom staff. Newspapers can receive up to $25,000 in the first year for each newsroom employee, and $15,000 per employee in years two through five. The tax credit sunsets in five years.

The Act also makes tax credits available to local businesses that advertise in their local newspapers and other local media organizations, up to $5,000 in the first year and up to $2,500 in the next four years. National news outlets are not eligible for these tax credits.

“Thank you to Congresswoman Tenney and Congresswoman DelBene for their dedication to both local news and small businesses,” said Dean Ridings, CEO of America’s Newspapers. “We are grateful to have such strong congressional advocates from both sides of the aisle in our corner. Securing the future of local journalism benefits everyone.”

“I am proud to be part of the America’s Newspapers team that worked hard to make this happen,” said Cameron Nutting Williams, regional publisher and chief revenue officer of Ogden Newspapers. Williams, who serves as president of America’s Newspapers, said this legislation

Incoming NAM President Mark Maassen of the Missouri Press Association presents a plaque of appreciation to outgoing President Laurie Hieb of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.

It’s no secret that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill, the Community News & Small Business Support Act, that has been introduced in Congress would offer relief to both newspapers and local businesses. For too many newspapers, help can’t come soon enough. Economic challenges have resulted in too many communities seeing their local newspapers being forced to lay off staff, cut back on publication days or — worse yet — close. On average, two newspapers are closing each week. That hurts local businesses and residents in the long (and short) run. However, despite the challenges, what remains true is that local newspapers make a difference in their communities.

But, don’t just take my word for it. Let’s look at the numbers and why America’s Newspapers has been pushing for the Community News & Small Business Support Act to be introduced.

A recent national study of 5,000 Americans over the age of 18 was conducted by

Guest Column: Local news is good for business

By Dean Ridings

the independent research firm Coda Ventures for America’s Newspapers, and provides compelling evidence of the importance, relevance and vitality of today’s newspapers in the American media landscape.

Readers told us that their local newspaper makes a difference. The study shows that 79 percent of Americans read/use local news “to stay informed” about their cities, counties and communities. They also said they rely on their local paper to feel connected to their community, to decide where they stand on local issues, to find places and things to do, to talk with people about things happening in the community, because they find it enjoyable/entertaining and to be a better citizen.

And, contrary to popular belief, readers across all age groups turn to local newspapers and their digital products to stay informed about their communities.

Readers also told us they need more local news from their community paper. As one survey respondent in California said, “Our

paper keeps getting smaller. I would like to see more news items, what’s happening in town, what’s new in politics, etc. And they need to be quicker to respond to breaking news.”

All of that takes a committed, local staff — something the legislation introduced by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY24) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-1) will help to make happen.

So, what would this legislation mean to your local community?

Local businesses with fewer than 50 employees would receive a five-year non-refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 in the first year and up to $2,500 in the subsequent four years based on their spending level with local newspapers and local media. Our study showed that six out of 10 American adults use newspaper advertising to help them decide what brands, products and local services to buy. Newspaper readers also are almost twice as likely to purchase products from a number of important advertising

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categories than non-newspaper readers, including: automobiles, trucks and SUVs; home furnishings; home improvement products and services; and home services like pest control, plumbing, heating, etc.

With this legislation, we expect to see more businesses being able to afford to advertise to consumers, which — in turn — helps communities thrive.

For local newspapers, a five-year refundable tax credit would help them hire more journalists to bring you more news! It’s a win-win for local communities. Newspapers would receive a tax credit to be used for the compensation of journalists. The credit would cover 50% of journalists’ compensation in the first year and 30% of compensation (up to $50,000) in the subsequent four years. This tax credit would only be available to local community papers with fewer than 750 employees and, if they don’t invest in their

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will benefit local newspapers across the country, as well as their advertisers.

“When newspapers are shuttered, that hurts local communities, leads to citizens being less informed by credible sources and hurts Main Street businesses. This legislation will provide much-needed support to local newspapers and businesses.”

Hometown news, unlike national media, is non-partisan and fundamental to the fabric of our local communities. The Community News & Small Business Support Act:

• Brings back local jobs to community newsrooms.

• Strengthens Main Street businesses.

• Increases access to information that reflects hometown values.

“As the former owner and publisher of the Mid-York Weekly, a local weekly newspaper, I understand how essential it is to support local newspapers and provide our communities with locally-sourced news,” said Tenney, the bill’s sponsor. “The Community News and Small Business

newsroom, they don’t get the credit.

And these tax credits are only available to local newspapers. National newspaper outlets are not eligible.

The importance of local newspapers and local business is the reason Reps. Tenney and DelBene introduced the legislation. We are most grateful for their support.

We need your support, as well, to encourage legislators to enact this legislation. Please contact the offices of your senators and representatives in the U.S. Congress and encourage them to add their support to this legislation. These tax credits aren’t permanent; they will sunset in five years. But, these critical five years will allow the newspaper industry the time needed to address the challenges that it is facing from Big Tech, which often uses newspapers’ content without compensation, as well as other technological and market challenges.

Visit www.usa.gov/elected-officials for the contact information for your legislators.

More local reporting means more access for hometown news that citizens like you rely on. And stronger newspapers mean stronger advertising vehicles for local businesses.

All newspapers are encouraged to reprint Dean Ridings’ editorial, available at newspapers.org/support-communitynews/. Or, write your own editorial and send dridings@newspapers.org a link. Thank you for your support of the Community News & Small Business Support Act.

Dean Ridings is the CEO of America’s Newspapers, an organization serving more than 1,550 newspapers across the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at newspapers.org.

Support Act ensures that local newspapers can continue to deliver vital news stories that matter most to our communities while allowing for our small businesses to grow and our communities to stay informed. I am thrilled to introduce this bill alongside Congresswoman DelBene and will continue to advocate for local newspapers and small businesses.”

“In today’s digital world, access to trustworthy and reliable news is more important than ever. Local journalists and newspapers play a critical role in increasing involvement in civic institutions, identifying government corruption and decreasing polarization. Yet, this industry is struggling more than ever to keep the lights on,” said DelBene, the bill’s original cosponsor.

“The legislation we are introducing today would provide much-needed support for newspapers so local journalists can continue their invaluable work.”

More information about the specifics of the Tenney-DelBene Act can be found at supportcommunitynews.com and at newspapers.org.