The Kansas Publisher Official monthly publication of the Kansas Press Association June 8, 2011

Inside Today Page 2 Kevin Slimp says a new website tool is affordable for smaller newspapers. Page 3 Jim Purmarlo has some advice for newspapers on their busi- ness coverage. Page 4 KPA president Patrick Lowry says Joplin tornado underscored the importance of what newspa- pers do for their communities. Page 6 A 16-part newspaper serial story will be available to KPA newspapers this fall. On their trek to the concert area, Symphony in the Flint Hills attendees in 2010 take a break to talk Page 8 with two outriders, whose task was to keep the attendees and the cattle in the pasture safe. NNA research projects cover a wide range of newspaper Flint Hills Symphony project: Part II subjects. University will provide free access to stories, Page 8 Concert content available photographs and videos for use in Kansas news- He may sound like a broken n just a few short years, the Symphony in the papers for the second consecutive year. record, but Doug Anstaett con- Flint Hills has become a marquee event for The material will be available for use in tinues to harp on the importance Ithe state of Kansas. newspapers soon after the event. of uploading digital PDFs. The sixth annual concert is set for Saturday To download stories, photos and videos for (June 11), this time in the Fix Pasture near Vol- your newspaper, go to: http://www.fl inthillsme- land, Kan. in Wabaunsee County. diaproject.com/?page_id=220 KPA Calendar The event celebrates the native grassland The only request is that if you use content, prairie of Kansas, which has remained virtually please send two copies of the work to Anderson, July 20 undisturbed for centuries. at: Elliott School of Communication, WSU, NNA Governmental Affairs Les Anderson’s students from Wichita State 1845 Fairmont, Wichita, KS 67260.0031. Conference, Washington, D.C. SAVE THIS DATE!! Uploads from 54 newspapers go to site Sept. 8 he pages of 54 Kansas Press Association some legislators of a government website for KPA Western Kansas Mini- newspapers are being uploaded to the notices. Convention, City Limits Con- TKPA’s FTP site. “We want to thank those who have heeded the vention Center, Colby. The total includes 18 dailies, more than half call,” said Doug Anstaett, executive director of the state’s total. KPA. “We have dozens more that have the codes Sept. 22-25 A resolution passed at the annual convention necessary and are ready to join the effort.” NNA annual convention, on April 30 seeking the action was designed to Not only will be PDFs be used for public no- Albuquerque. give KPA the tools to create a statewide public notice website to counter the idea expressed by See UPLOADS on Page 7

Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (785) 271-5304 2 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (785) 271-5304 2011-12 KPA Board Small newspapers can benefit Patrick Lowry President from website tool called ANT Hays Daily News ver the past few weeks, my mail- Basically, ANT is made up of scripts [email protected] box has been filled with new and that allow items from the InDesign page Oupdated software from several well- to be uploaded directly to a website with Ben Marshall known and not so well-know vendors. the click of a button in InDesign CS3 - First Vice President Products like Adobe Creative Suite CS5.5. “Adslinger” allows users to create, Sterling Bulletin 5.5, QuarkXPress 9 and MultiAd Creator schedule, position and upload ads directly [email protected] Express have been making headlines over from InDesign to the Web page. “NuzBot” the past couple of makes populating the news area of the Dena Sattler months. That makes website as simple as clicking a few buttons Second Vice President it hard on a guy who while you design the print edition of the Garden City Telegram [email protected] does reviews for a newspaper in InDesign. living. It’s impossible Going into detail about ANT would take Dan Thalmann to learn all of the soft- more than the space I have for this column. Treasurer ware quickly enough But let me share a few snippets: Washington County News r to make a thorough The software is downloaded and [email protected] review in just a few placed in the InDesign Scripts folder. That’s hours. So I create a all the installation needed. Linda Mowery-Denning stack. The stack on r Setup is included in the price. When a Past President Kevin Slimp my desk is pretty customer orders ANT, the layout of the site Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter deep right now. is done for them. With the customer’s input [email protected] With that in mind, and approval, of course. here are some thoughts on those big-name r Users control everything when A.J. Bozarth products, all of which I’ve used but haven’t populating a website. Placement, schedule Central District Director taken the time to do full blown reviews: and more is set up right from the InDesign Norwich News, South Haven New Era r Creative Suite 5.5: If you do a lot page. [email protected] of work in website development, ads, or r Ads can be pointed to different pages. videos for the Web, get it. For instance, an ad for a car dealership Tamara Hand r QuarkXPress 9: A major upgrade with might be pointed to the Sports and Local Northeast District Director lots of nice features. I still like InDesign News pages. Lawrence Journal-World more, but if you’re sticking with XPress, r Videos, Flash files and other ads can [email protected] this upgrade is worth the money. be placed in various areas at no additional r Creator Express: It’s only $30. If cost. Sarah Kessinger you’re a Mac user, what do you have to The cost for ANT is $100 per month. Nondaily Director lose? There are no setup fees, contracts or hidden Marysville Advocate With that out of the costs. Included in this [email protected] way (Don’t worry. I price are templates, plan to do full-blown For newspapers that plug-ins, hosting, sup- Ken Knepper reviews of CS5.5 and have yet to create a web- port, video module and Legislative Director QuarkXPress 9 in the more. Sun Newspapers near future), let’s turn site, there’s no longer an Here’s what I [email protected] our attention to a new excuse. If you already use like about ANT. For software product that Adobe InDesign CS3, 4 newspapers that have Brad Lowell has the potential to be a yet to create a website, Northwest District Director valuable tool for small or 5, you can begin using there’s no longer an Concordia Blade-Empire newspapers who have ANT almost immediately. excuse. If you already [email protected] yet to create an online use Adobe InDesign presence or who are CS3, CS4 or CS5, you Susan Lynn looking for an easier method to get their can begin using ANT almost immediately. Daily Director news online. There is no contract or setup fee, so the risk Iola Register Atomic News Tools (ANT) is a set of is minimal. The $100 monthly cost includes [email protected] scripts for InDesign that takes the stories, hosting. This means you don’t pay an extra photos and ads straight from the InDesign fee for a company to host your site. Steve Wade page to the newspaper website with the For newspapers that are looking for an Southeast District Director Pittsburg Morning Sun click of a button. Before getting into the alternative to the way they’re already creat- [email protected] details, understand that this is an easy and ing their websites, ANT is a option worthy affordable solution for small newspapers of consideration. I would estimate that Doug Anstaett that have been avoiding creating a website half the newspapers I visit tell me they’re Executive Director, KPA because of time, expense or staff to get the [email protected] paper online. See SLIMP on Page 3 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (785) 271-5304 3 Business news policy needs explanation tories about employers and employ- ers, and what steps are they taking? It’s or not pursue a story will cause extra ees have a big impact on communi- becoming more and more commonplace angst. Make certain there is internal con- Sties. What happens at the workplace for companies to explore and expand into sensus before explaining decisions to the might even overshadow a decision of the international markets; what is happening customer and/or readers. local city council. Today’s challenging in your back yard? Explaining policies is the most impor- economy warrants even greater attention The stories are limited only by staff re- tant of the three steps. Think of the many to business as an everyday beat. sources. As with any beat, newspapers will everyday decisions that often are misun- Yet, many news- soon discover that the more attention de- derstood by readers. Aside from business papers struggle for voted to broad spectrum of business news, coverage, what’s your policy for guest consistent coverage the more ideas commentar- of local business. that readers will One of the biggest challenges ies? Why don’t It’s impracti- generate. B-squad sports cal, especially in Business is making decisions based on the receive the small newsrooms, to coverage has “what” and not the “whom.” In same atten- devote one person some distinct tion as varsity to the business beat. challenges. The other words, the biggest advertiser contests? If you Editors and reporters most substan- should not warrant special treat- publish free still can incorporate tive coverage ment –- whether it’s a request to obituaries, do business coverage will be guided you limit what into their regimen of Jim Pumarlo by a three-step publish or withhold publication ... information can assignments. The first process: Set be included? step is to brainstorm policy; imple- Business stories on a regular basis similar to a local ment policy; Explain policy. coverage also prompts a variety of ques- government body or sports beat. A word Set policy: What is news and what is tions appropriate for explanatory columns of caution, however. It’s best to proceed advertising? A store opening is news when to readers. Do you have a standard format slowly. You can’t simply turn on the the first customers arrive. A grand opening for announcing new businesses? Do you spigot. three months later is advertising. publish letters to the editor – either com- At the same time, developing and Set guidelines for many of the standard plimentary or critical of a business? Busi- implementing a plan can prove long-term stories: new businesses, closed businesses, nesses love to promote their “good” news; dividends for newspaper content and ad- anniversaries, expansions, businesses of- how do you approach “bad” news? vertising revenue. fering distinctive service. News and advertising staffs should A discussion of business news inevita- Decide who sets the policy. Be certain have regular conversations so everyone is bly prompts many editors to focus on the the news and advertising departments are in sync on the definition of news and ad- garden variety items – grand openings, aligned. vertising. Editors and publishers will win anniversaries, new owners and managers. Implement policy: Once policies are in highest marks from readers and advertis- But think for a moment about the broader place, stick to them. Exceptions are bound ers alike if reporting is fair and consistent. dynamics of business coverage that affect to surface, but they should be rare. In the end, credible business coverage is the everyday fabric of communities. One of the biggest challenges is making a win-win situation. The stories provide When is the last time you compared decisions based on the “what” and not solid news content while being a spring- and contrasted local employment with the “whom.” In other words, the biggest board for increasing advertising revenue. statewide statistics – and then looked for a advertiser should not warrant special treat- feature story representing specific trends? ment –- whether it’s a request to publish or Jim Pumarlo regularly writes, speaks How are local businesses grappling with withhold publication of specific items. and provides training on Community the federal health care reform and what is Explain policy: Be proactive and not Newsroom Success Strategies. He can be the impact on employees? Are companies reactive in explaining policies, especially contacted at www.pumarlo.com or jim@ having trouble finding qualified work- when you anticipate a decision to pursue pumarlo.com.

Smaller Newspapers Spending Money This has been the busiest summer I’ve Slimp and Energy Planning for Future had with newspapers all over the U.S. and I haven’t done any type of serious Canada calling for on-site consulting and Continued from Page 2 research on the subject, but it occurs to me training. In most instances, these papers are that smaller daily and weekly newspapers preparing for major upgrades and want to looking for an alternative to the way they’re are spending more time and money plan- get advice and training in advance. currently creating their websites. If you’re ning for the future. There are many theories Whatever the reason, I’m glad to see one of those, here is an alternative. ranging from “Newspapers resisted spend- that many papers are no longer holding Atomic News Tools isn’t the answer for ing money on capital and staff during the their collective breath and are planning for a large daily newspaper. But if you are a past few years due to fears about the future the future. smaller paper, this just may be what you’ve and now feel a need to play catch up” to been waiting for. “We finally realized we (newspapers) aren’t Kevin Slimp is a speaker and trainer Learn more about Atomic News Tools dying, so we’d better start preparing for our in the newspaper industry. He can be by visiting atomicnewstools.com. future.” reached at [email protected]. 4 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (785) 271-5304 Tragedy underscores importance of newspapers nyone who’s had the privilege of remaking the Monday edition. Circulation to single anybody out. working at a newspaper knows the and the production departments readied “To an individual, everybody did a Avalue of a thick skin. Most readers for an increased press run. Department great job,” he said. who call the newsroom have criticism heads came in. Virtually every carrier The community agrees with him, based on their minds. Sources recall not the 99 contractor showed up to deliver the news- on web traffi c, increased circulation and times you spelled their name correctly paper, knowing many a porch would be comments left with staff. but that one other occasion. Copy editors missing — if not the entire house. One online reader, identifi ed only as embody the thankless component of the Sounds like what every newspaper Rob, wrote: business: The better would do with such a big story, right? “The Globe’s quality, professional cov- they do their job the Except this story, this erage of the tornado more invisible they killer storm, didn’t aftermath is a won- become. leave the staff unaf- Sounds like what derful tribute to the It’s part and parcel fected. every newspaper would Globe employee lost of an industry that One of the con- do with such a big story, in the storm.” measures complaints fi rmed dead was Bruce The compelling per thousand — not Baillie, a 56-year- right? written and visual compliments per thou- old page designer. Except this story, this documentation has sand. Thirty employees killer storm, didn’t leave not stopped since the Signifi cant news lost either part of or the staff unaffected. tornado struck. There events change the Patrick Lowry their entire home. The were tragedies to equation, however. wind sheered back cover, and stories of The EF-5 tornado the roof in the Globe survival. There were that ripped through Joplin, Mo., on May mailroom. Yet the paper was out in the searches for people as well as belongings. 22 is a good case in point. One of the morning. Recovery efforts. What worked and what deadliest twisters in U.S. history, the storm “We had nine people in the newsroom didn’t with warning systems. The gover- resulted in 141 deaths, a third of the town that lost everything that night,” said Globe nor was there, as was the president. There destroyed and an economic blow in the Publisher Michael Beatty. “I believe seven has been no shortage of news. billions. of them made it in that night. Our mission “This story will continue for years,” The staff of the Joplin Globe imme- is to get the news out to readers. And that’s Beatty said. “The community has been diately began documenting what likely what we did.” very thankful and praising of the Globe’s will be the biggest story of their collective Beatty said Editor Carol Stark, herself coverage. We’re here to serve these people careers. Reporters and photographers hit already a tornado survivor from years who crave and need this information every the streets, or what was left of them. Edi- earlier, showed incredible leadership. tors, designers and web personnel began And yet Beatty said it really wasn’t fair See LOWRY on Page 6 Newsmakers t’s almost unprecedented, but the three Clatchy Co. He will offi ce in Sacramento. large daily newspaper publisher posi- r Itions in Kansas are all open. Nick Jungman, a former Wichita William “Skip” Hidlay resigned from Eagle editor, has joined the staff of the the Wichita Eagle in mid-May after just a Wichita Business Journal as managing edi- year leading that newspaper. tor. For the past two years, Jungman was a Then, Mark Nusbaum of the Topeka Knight Visiting Professional at the Univer- Capital-Journal was named vice president sity of Missouri School of Journalism. Introducing of operations for the newspaper’s parent r Creator Express company, Morris Publishing Group, head- Anita Schmid has joined the Saint quartered in Augusta, Ga.. Francis Herald and Bird City Times as A desktop app that combines Finally, Kansas City Star President and the new advertising manager. She was design, illustration and production Publisher Mark Zieman was promoted born and raised in Atwood but had been in to vice president of operations for the Mc- Colorado for 30 years. tools—all for a low cost. $ 99 Exclusively sold through Death the Mac App StoreSM oger Myers, statehouse writer for School in 1954 and received a degree in 29 the Topeka Capital-Journal for journalism from Kansas State University Rthree decades, died May 20 in in 1958. Topeka. He was 74. He worked for the Kansas City Star, multiad.com/creatorexpress He was born July 6, 1936 in St. Joseph, Hutchinson News, Salina Journal and Mo., to I. Paul and Clara Myers. Bell Telephone. He was a reporter for the He graduated from Salina Central High Capital-Journal for 37 years. Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (785) 271-5304 5 Keep up with your readers, create new revenue streams and ... Be ahead of the curve!

Pixel Power Haus creates iPhone, iPad and Droid applications that will keep you at the forefront of informing your community. Let our team of experts put your publication ahead of the pack.

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Pixel Power Haus is a division of The Hays Daily News. Created by a newspaper, for newspapers. 6 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (785) 271-5304 16-part serial story set for August start 16-chapter serial story called “There’s No Place Like Home” will be available KPA Office Staff free to Kansas Press Association members in August. Doug Anstaett A The story won first place in the Midwest Circulation Management Associa- Executive Director tion’s content for Newspaper in Education (NIE) promotion. [email protected] It was written by the award-winning children’s book author, Eunice Boeve of Phil- lipsburg. It was illustrated by Michael Meade from Salina with funding provided by the Amy Blaufelder Kansas Newspaper Foundation. Accountant Jeanie Warner, NIE coordinator for Harris Enterprises, said: “This serial story is a [email protected] great way for you to increase your NIE, single copy and general circulation.” The historical-fiction serial story follows the adventures of 10-year-old twins Jack Emily Bradbury and Mollie. They are whisked away in a time machine that was built by their parents and Member Services Director, KPA experience events in Kansas history as they happen. and Executive Director “Not only is this story enjoyable to read, but it also provides Kansas history and char- Kids Voting Kansas acter education lessons, and a teacher’s guide is provided,” Warner said. [email protected] “Since this is the year we’re celebrating the 150th birthday of Kansas, we thought this story would be especially timely,” said Doug Anstaett, executive director of KPA. Richard Gannon The stories are designed to run beginning the week of Aug. 22 and would be com- Governmental Affairs Director pleted by Dec. 22. They will be uploaded to KPA’s website beginning around Aug. 1. [email protected] “Jeanie believes there are also sponsorship possibilities for the series,” Anstaett said. You could ask a local business to sponsor the series and it could also become a project Dan Rukes this fall at your area schools.” Advertising Sales Director [email protected]

Judges needed for Indiana ad contest Lori Jackson t’s time to judge the Indiana Press Association’s Advertising Contest. Administrative Assistant/Advertising We need eight more judges to provide for a quick turnaround, and you won’t have to [email protected] Itravel to do this judging. It will be done online or by mail. “This will be a peek into the future of how the Kansas Press Association will run its Rachel Willis contest beginning next year,” Bradbury said. “Many states are shifting to online and KPA Education Director mailed out judging to save on the cost of travel and lodging and because so many news- Executive Director paper staff members are strapped for time. They can do this judging without leaving the Kids Voting USA office.” [email protected] If you can spend time as a judge in the next two weeks, contact Emily Bradbury at [email protected]. KPA Consultants Tom Eblen The Joplin Globe deserves a salute for Community Newspaper Tune-ups Lowry stepping up to the challenge. The staff also [email protected] deserves our sympathy for the personal Continued from Page 4 loss they incurred. Ron Fields The Missouri Press Foundation has Technology Consultant day. It motivates us as journalists.” established a disaster fund for Globe em- Hays Daily News The Globe staffers likely didn’t need ployees. Tax-deductible donations may be (785) 628-1081 or 800-657-6017 such a horrific act of nature to remind sent to the Missouri Press Foundation, 802 [email protected] themselves why they do what they do. Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201-4888. Journalists elsewhere probably don’t Mike Kautsch either. But it is good confirmation of the Patrick Lowry is president of the Media Law, KU School of Law vital resource newspapers provide to the Kansas Press Association for 2011-12 and [email protected] communities we serve. We’re there in the is editor and publisher of the Hays Daily good times, and the bad. News. Mike Merriam Media Law, Legal Hotline This month’s question [email protected] Q. I need help making some decisions on equipment purchases and whether to create a website. Who could help? FRIEND OF KPA Randy Brown A. Ron Fields, KPA’s technology consultant, would be the logical Executive Director contact. He and his staff at the Hays Daily News have worked with Kansas Sunshine Coalition a number of Kansas newspapers on website design, and he has a for Open Government good grasp on what kind of equipment and software is available to Wichita State University meet the needs of our smaller newspapers. Write him at rfields@ [email protected] dailynews.net or call him at 785-628-1081 or 800-657-6017. Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (785) 271-5304 7 Job Openings/For Sale MANAGEMENT send letter, portfolio, resume and references driven pressroom. Pay commensurate with Editor and Publisher wanted! Dodge City to Dale Hogg, managing editor, Great Bend experience. The Telegram is an Equal Op- is looking for a leader for their multimedia Tribune, PO Box 228, Great Bend, Kan., portunity Employer. Please submit a resume team in southwestern Kansas. Dodge is the 67530, or to [email protected]. with salary requirements to: Jerry Naab, home of stable industry, a blossoming tourist Pressroom, c/o The Garden City Telegram, trade and a booming state-owned casino. We are searching for a lead reporter in Ouray P.O. Box 958, Garden City, KS 67846. The ideal candidate will demonstrate solid, County, Colorado to manage reporting and deadline-oriented community news judg- news production for The Ridgway Sun. ONLINE ment and will be a proven leader. Bilingual Full-time, salary position with two weekly, The Hays Daily News’ Pixel Power Haus fluency is a plus for this culturally diverse award-winning papers. If interested, email wants to give you control over the direc- GateHouse Media, Inc. market. The position cover letter and resume to: Alan Todd, Pub- tory residents use to find information about includes a competitive compensation and lisher, [email protected] the businesses that make up your coverage benefit package. Send resume to Stephen area. BizLink is a searchable database of Wade, Kansas Group Publisher, stephen. PRODUCTION businesses and organizations that provides [email protected]. The Garden City Telegram has an immediate considerable upsell opportunity for news- opening for a Press Operator. Experience in paper seeking new revenue streams. You’ve Publisher — The Parsons Sun is currently in running a newspaper printing press is pre- seen expensive “subscription-based” models search of an enthusiastic leader. Experience ferred, although the newspaper would train ... try one that works with your budget. Call in the newspaper industry with a proven the right candidate. Successful candidate will Patrick Lowry at (785) 628-1081 to hear track record a must. Our leader must dem- possess a stable work history. The Telegram how we can help. onstrate team-building skills, be customer is a paper that publishes Monday through driven and represent the newspaper in the Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. FOR SALE community. Experience in advertising man- This is a full-time position with excellent The Washington County News, Washington, agement preferred. We are independently benefits that include 401K, health, dental, KS (785/325-2219) has on hand a never owned and offer competitive salary with bo- life, LTD, Flex, savings, paid holidays and opened box of 500 #944 layout sheets for nus plus full benefits. Send a detailed resume vacations. Duties include helping the Press- $50 OBO plus freight. Please call with with professional and personal references to: room Manager run an efficient, quality- questions or if you would like to purchase. [email protected]. Hutchinson News GateHouse Media is one of the largest pub- Uploads Iola Register lishers of locally based print and online me- Junction City Daily Union dia in small to mid-sized markets throughout Continued from Page 1 Johnson County Sun the U.S., We are currently looking for an as- Kansas City Star piring publisher who has the entrepreneurial tice site. In addition, such uploads will pave Lawrence Journal-World spirit, digital credentials and an innovative the way for electronic tearsheeting, digital Legal Record track record to lead our daily print and 24/7 entries for the 2012 newspaper contests and Manhattan Mercury online products in Hannibal, MO. The Han- a morgue of all pages for each newspaper. Marion County Record nibal Courier-Post is the oldest newspaper Here is a list of the newspapers partici- Marquette Tribune in the state of Missouri with an established, pating as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday: Marysville Advocate growing readership and strong community Minneapolis Messenger involvement. The Hannibal Courier-Post is Anderson County Review Mirror (Tonganoxie) a central print facility for GateHouse Mis- Ark Valley News Osage County Herald-Chronicle souri. GateHouse Media is an equal opportu- Baldwin City Signal Ottawa Herald nity employer. To be considered please send Basehor Sentinel Parsons Sun cover letter and resume to: Gloria Fletcher at Belleville Telescope Peabody Gazette-Bulletin [email protected] Bonner Springs Chieftain Pittsburg Morning Sun Buyer’s Guide Pratt Tribune NEWS Coffey County Republican Rawlins County Square Deal The Chanute Tribune in southeast Kansas is Council Grove Republican Sabetha Herald seeking a reporter/assistant managing editor Derby Informer Scott County Record candidate for its five-morning a week publi- Dodge City Daily Globe Shawnee Dispatch cation. Send resume to [email protected] Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter St. John News or mail to Box 559, Chanute, KS 66720. Fort Scott Tribune Sterling Bulletin Galena Sentinel-Times Sedgwick County Post Wanted - Full-time paginator/graphic de- Garden City Telegram Topeka Metro News signer. Job involves laying out pages, work- Great Bend Tribune Wamego Smoke Signal ing with graphics and photos, and updating Gyp Hill Premiere Washington County News the Web site. Involves some weekend and Hays Daily News Western Times evening work. Must be reliable, quick but High Plains Leader & Times Wichita Eagle accurate, and have a keen eye for design Hillsboro Free Press Wilson County Citizen and sense for details. If this fits you, please Hillsboro Star-Journal Wyandotte County Business News 8 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (785) 271-5304 One last time: KPA’s plan for notices is best K, I promise this will be the last were openly hostile to our message that dollars is worth throwing away a public no- column I devote to the subject of public notice must remain in the exclusive tice system that has worked well for more Ouploading digital PDFs to the Kan- realm of daily and non-daily newspapers in than two centuries. sas Press Association’s FTP site. Kansas. So, if we don’t want the government to In two months, I’ll be headed to a meet- This actually should come as no huge be in the public notice business, we have ing of NAM, the Newspaper Association surprise: newspapers to provide that greater Managers, a closely knit group of directors aren’t held in par- We can talk and we access for the tech- from across the nation that meets annually ticularly high regard by can even compromise at savvy and the non- to discuss the state of the industry. legislators. Remember, readers who aren’t our We talk turkey at they feel the sting of times. But what we can regular customers. these meetings. There editorials and squirm at never do is capitulate to We must provide are no holds barred. the probing questions the view that saving a that website free No prisoners taken. from reporters. of charge, make it We’re frank with each So when an issue few tax dollars is worth searchable and guar- other, because our very comes before them throwing away a public antee that the notices livelihoods depend where they might have haven’t been altered. on the success of our an opportunity to get notice system that has That’s where members. back at our profession, worked for more than uploading comes This year will be they sometimes can’t two centuries. in. Your uploaded no different. And the help themselves. PDFs will be carbon one subject we will Doug Anstaett That’s OK: ours copies — do young visit, as we do each isn’t a profession that should seek close people even know what that means? — of and every year, is the status of public notice friends among elected officials. the legal, printed versions from your own in each of our states. But we also must work with legislators newspaper. This legislative season has been another on open government issues, so we must No changes. roller coaster ride for our industry. Some pick and choose our issues very carefully. No funny business. states had multiple attempts to put public I’ve listened at the NAM meetings to Just the facts. notices on a government website. what other states are doing to combat this Please join your fellow KPA members Kansas was lucky, to a point. We only apparent shift in legislative attitudes about by uploading your PDFs. It’s the right thing had one serious bill about public notice, public notices. to do. and it didn’t get a hearing until the last What we’ve all concluded is this: Enough said. day of the session. But the tone of that We can talk and we can even compro- hearing was different from many we’ve mise at times. But what we can never do is Doug Anstaett is executive director of experienced in the past. Some legislators capitulate to the view that saving a few tax the Kansas Press Association. NNA symposia share ideas, research on media topics he 17th annual “Newspapers and readers: how 18- to 24-year-olds connect Wichita State University; Wichita, KS; Community-Building Symposium, with local news through Facebook, Twit- [email protected]; 316-978- co-sponsored by the Huck Boyd ter and mobile devices, Jennifer Greer 6065. TNational Center for Community Media and Yan Yan; University of Alabama, — Circulation patterns of community and the National Newspaper Association, Tuscaloosa; [email protected]; 205-348- newspapers in Central Appalachia, Al will be Sept. 23 to 25 during the NNA’s 6304. Cross, University of Kentucky, and Bill annual convention in Albuquerque. — The study of user-generated content Bissett, Marshall University; al.cross@ “The symposium is a good opportunity in Michigan’s community newspapers, uky.edu; [email protected]. for newspaper editors and publishers and Lori F. Brost; Central Michigan Univer- journalism educators to share ideas and sity, Mount Pleasant; brost1lf@cmich. Session 3 research relevant to community news- edu; 989-774-1545. Adapting coverage — 3:30 p.m. to papers,” Gloria Freeland, director of the 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 Huck Boyd Center, said. Session 2 — The police came calling (police The following is a list of presenters: Addressing challenges — 2:15 p.m. to beat coverage by students), Gary Rice; 3:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. California State University, Fresno; Session 1 — When the weekly leaves town: the [email protected]; 559-278-2026. Adopting technology — 11:15 a.m. to impact of one newsroom’s relocation on — Enabling information in a tough 12:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 sense of community, Lindsey Wotanis, economy, Marshel D. Rossow; Minnesota — Developing a social media strategy Marywood University, Scranton, PA; ll- State University-Mankato; marshel.ros- for the community press, John Schmelt- [email protected]; 570-499-1829. [email protected]; 507-389-5522. zer, University of Oklahoma, Norman; — Fixing goofs in community — Religion coverage of a community [email protected]. newspapers: without corrections, do we newspaper, Michael Ray Smith; Camp- — Building connections with younger lose readers, credibility, Les Anderson, bell University; [email protected]. Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (785) 271-5304 9 News Briefs Workshop to focus on military Move up he University of Kansas again will host a workshop Sept. 25 to 30 for journalists who want to learn more about covering Tthe military. in your The workshop, funded by the McCormick Foundation, allows journalists to embed for a week with offi cers at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and soldiers at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. career The workshop is free. The McCormick Foundation pays all ex- Communities with a local penses including round-trip airfare to Kansas City, ground transpor- newspaper are smarter, tation, lodging and meals. stronger and closer. Their To apply, send a current resume and a letter of interest to: Bar- citizens are connected to one bara Barnett, William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass another, and invested in what Communications, Room 200, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd., University of happens around them. Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047. Anderson looks at corrections policies es Anderson, professor in the Elliott School of Communica- tion at Wichita State University, has devised a short online Keep reading your local newspaper… Lsurvey to gauge the policies newspapers follow on printing and keep your community going strong. corrections. kspress.com He will present a paper at the National Newspaper Association annual convention in September in Albuquerque on the subject. In July, Kansas Press Association members will be asked to partic- Anderson asks that newspaper editors participate in the survey ipate in a series of ads promoting newspapers as builders of strong at SurveyMonkey. To assist Anderson, click the link or paste it into communities. Here is a sample of one of the ads. Newspapers will your web browser: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SHG58WJ. place the ads free, but the exposure will be priceless. Reporters Committee has digital legal guide ASHINGTON, D.C. — An interactive reference to the Wmyriad legal issues specifi cally facing reporters who are working online has joined the library of free, online media law guides available on the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press website. The Digital Journalist’s Legal Guide is designed to assist anyone who is dissemi- nating news online, from an independent blogger to a reporter for a major media outlet, as well as media lawyers active in this area. The site includes information about openings records and meetings, access to courts, newsgathering, sources and sub- poenas, libel, invasion of privacy, internet regulation and copyright and trademark information. As always, the RCFP also can help journalists fi nd an attorney in their par- ticular jurisdiction when they are sued or arrested. To access the information, which will be as useful to bloffers as to a staff report at a newspaper, go to: http://www.rcfp.org/djlg