The Oklahoma Publisher Vol. 92, No. 3 12 Pages • March 2021 www.OkPress.com www.Facebook.com/okpress State newspapers face diffi culties during winter storms, but rise to the challenge The arctic blast that swept into Oklahoma in February brought snow and plunging temperatures to the state. As citizens braced for rolling power blackouts, busted pipes and snow- packed roads, community newspapers made plans on how to get the newspaper out. We asked OPA mem- ber newspapers to tell us how they made it through the record-breaking tem- peratures. Here are their stories. THE CARNEGIE HERALD Faced with the approach of a historic storm and a nearly hour drive to Clinton Photos of the to print, The Carnegie Her- historic snowfall fi lled ald made the decision to pages of Oklahoma put out a rush edition, said newspapers. Above Lori Cooper, co-publisher is the Kiowa County of the weekly newspaper. Courthouse in Hobart, “We printed on Friday Okla., during a heavy instead of our usual Tues- snow. Photo by Todd Hancock, day. We had everything Hobart Democrat-Chief covered except the District Basketball Tournament,” At left, Washita County Cooper said. employees help clear “We were so glad that we Main Street in Cordell. did! We stayed open during Photo by Donald Cooper, the winter storm and I The Cordell Beacon See Snowstorms, Page 4 OPA President Mike OPA Nominating People on the move, OPA Computer Strain writes about the Committee makes including new editor at Consultant Wilma OPA contest and recommendations for The Norman Transcript Newby breaks down convention plus review of 2021-2022 officers and and two new general all the ways for a book that might help you directors. managed at Reid you to sign those 2 set priorities. 3 9 Newspapers. 11 PDF documents. OU, Arizona State From the President journalism schools partner to serve By Mike Strain, Tulsa World Native American OPA President 2020-2021 communities The University of Okla- A few thoughts on a windy March day… homa Gaylord College Overcoming tough circumstances: I will gladly take windy of Journalism and Mass March days over sub-zero February days. In this edition of the Communication and the Publisher, you’ll find five pages that share experiences from Walter Cronkite School of around the state. They show how people overcame problems that come with butt-deep Journalism and Mass Com- snow drifts and cold so severe it freezes pipes and turns a runny nose into an icicle (both munication at Arizona State happened to me). University are partnering to I probably sound like a cheerleader in some of these columns, but I don’t think I will expand coverage of Indige- ever stop admiring the work at newspapers all over the state. It’s not an easy job on the nous communities. best days. And on the hardest ones, people turn their dedication up even higher. Students from Gaylord Contest and convention time: The University of Oklahoma recently announced News and Cronkite News some big news about football season. In a letter sent by the university, Athletic Director will publish stories on both Joe Castiglione wrote: “… for now, we are working under the assumption that the stadium news organizations’ web- will be full.” sites, share story ideas and The key words in that statement are “for now,” and I can relate to that sentiment. Right pair up students to cover now, OPA is planning its annual convention, which will be June 11-12 in Oklahoma City. developing news stories. We’re working under the assumption we will have an in-person annual convention. The Students share a news- education and awards committees had recent meetings. Several topics were discussed, room in ASU’s new Ambas- including convention sessions and contest entries. sador Barbara Barrett and As you may remember, the OPA Board recommended making contest entries free this Justice Sandra Day O’Con- year. Since then, entries have arrived, and the total is the highest in the last three years. nor Washington Center, There were 70 papers that entered, and they combined for 1,375 entries this year. The located three blocks from entries eclipsed the number in 2019 (1,345) and 2018 (1,326). The number of papers is the White House, from comparable to those years. In 2019, there were 74 and in 2018 there were 75. which they cover national The number of COVID cases are declining and more and more people are getting vacci- news about Indigenous nated. My hope is that the trends will keep heading the right direction and the convention issues. will be much like we remember it in a pre-COVID era that seems like a lifetime ago. Both news organizations will distribute student work Interesting read: A few weeks ago, my wife recommended a book called “Essential- to more than 100 partner ism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less”. The book, she said, might help me do a better job news organizations across of setting priorities. Maybe she had noticed I scramble from task to task, often meeting the country. These media myself coming and going. Sound familiar? outlets will have access to My response: I don’t have time for a book! (OK, I may have said something like: That stories from both Cronkite sounds pretty good. I will listen to it.) I’m glad I did, because author Greg McKeown has and Gaylord students. some interesting observations and suggestions. Gaylord College and The short version: Making priorities takes focus and it can be a difficult process. After the Cronkite School each all, when you prioritize something, it means you might have to stop doing something else. have prioritized coverage of McKeown offers practical advice on how to set priorities and issued a warning that caught Native American commu- my attention: If I don’t set my priorities, they will be set for me by someone else or by the nities and issues through universe. reporting programs and If you’re someone like me, it could be a helpful book… if you have the time. classroom teaching. “This collaboration between the Gaylord News Enid News & Eagle forms community advisory board program and our friends at The Enid News & Eagle of the News & Eagle, said that matter to Enid and Cronkite will provide badly is establishing a communi- the community advisory Northwest Oklahoma. needed coverage of Native ty advisory board and ask- board will add a layer of “This board will not be American communities in ing its readers and commu- individuals who can help a large one,” Allen said. Oklahoma and Arizona, as nity members to become a them with good story ideas “However, we will occa- well as nationally,” said Ed part of what they do. and perspectives on issues sionally seek new members Kelley, dean of the Gaylord Cindy Allen, publisher as time goes by.” College. March 2021 | The OklahomaPublisher March 2021 | 2 OPA Nominating Committ ee recommends The Oklahoma slate of offi cers, directors for 2021-2022 The OPA Nominating board positions to be filled term is Misti Publisher Committee met at the OPA by the committee. Rinehart. ISSN 1526-811X Building on March 4 to dis- After discussing possible Rinehart Official Publication of the cuss the slate of officers and candidates, the committee has been with OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION directors for 2021-2022. recommended the following the Tulsa OPA OFFICERS The seven-member com- slate of officers and direc- World for President mittee is composed of the tors for the year beginning five years, Misti Rinehart MIKE STRAIN six most recent OPA past July 1, 2021. and holds the Tulsa World presidents who are still John Denny Montgom- position of Sales Manager. Vice President active as newspaper execu- ery, co-publisher of The Prior to her employment JOHN DENNY MONTGOMERY tives and the current OPA Purcell Register, was rec- at the World, she worked at The Purcell Register president. ommended to serve as pres- the Claremore Progress for Committee members ident. Mark Millsap, pub- nearly eight years. Treasurer in attendance were OPA lisher of The Norman Tran- Rinehart graduated from JEFF MAYO President Mike Strain, script, was recommended Rogers State University in Sequoyah County Times Tulsa World; Nominating to serve as vice president. 2006. Executive Vice President Committee Chairman Ray Jeff Mayo, publisher of the Her work experience also MARK THOMAS Dyer, El Reno Tribune; Jeff Sequoyah County Times, includes serving as program OPA DIRECTORS Mayo, Sequoyah County was recommended to serve director for RSU Radio for Times, and Rod Serfoss, a second one-year term as five years. RAY DYER, Past President Clinton Daily News. treasurer. A general election for El Reno Tribune Rusty Ferguson, Jeff The committee also rec- new officers and directors MARK MILLSAP Shultz and Brian Blansett ommended the renewal of will be held at the annual The Norman Transcript were unable to attend. a three-year director term convention, tentatively ZONELLE RAINBOLT The committee reviewed for Shauna Belyeu, general scheduled for June 11-12, Wesner Publications the OPA By-Laws, Nom- manager of The Eufaula at the Sheraton Hotel in inating Committee struc- Indian Journal. downtown Oklahoma City. DON MECOY The Oklahoman ture, board policies regard- Recommended as a new ing board service, and the director for a three-year SHAUNA BELYEU The Eufaula Indian Journal SHEILA GAY Woodward News SUZIE CAMPBELL You’ve Got Questions! Countywide & Sun OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION • Can I photograph minors without consent? 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499 • Can police deny access to records by issuing (405) 499-0020 a press release? 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