It could have been worse. Much worse. In fact, the executive director of the Missouri Press Association expected the COVID-19 pandemic to gut a local newspaper industry already reeling from more than a decade of competition from free digital content, rising newsprint costs and circulation declines. Seven of the state’s 200 or so newspapers ceased publishing in 2020, while … [Read more...] about ‘It’s not as bad as I thought’: An examination of how the pandemic impacted news organizations in eight Midwestern states
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Rockford Register Star executive reflects on 40-year career in journalism
Back when misinformation was a slow burn, as opposed to the raging inferno journalists are currently fighting, Mark Baldwin was already enlisting help to douse the flames. About 10 years ago, the recently retired executive editor of the Rockford Register Star began bringing Alan Miller of the News Literacy Project to Associated Press Media Editors and American Society of … [Read more...] about Rockford Register Star executive reflects on 40-year career in journalism
Midwest reporters reflect on sale of Warren Buffett papers to Lee Enterprises
Like many of her colleagues at the Omaha World-Herald, Jessica Wade said she was blind-sided by news last week that Warren Buffett was selling his hometown newspaper to Lee Enterprises Inc. “There seem to be two different reactions to the sale: anxiety over what this means for job security and our ability to provide holistic news to the community; and cold indifference … [Read more...] about Midwest reporters reflect on sale of Warren Buffett papers to Lee Enterprises
New museum to highlight role of Midwestern states in founding of Stars and Stripes
“I do not believe that any one factor could have done more to sustain the morale of the (American Expeditionary Force) than the Stars and Stripes. – John J. Pershing, Commander, AEF, World War I “Free press and free speech. These are two great principles we are fighting to preserve. They are among the basic rights of mankind.” … [Read more...] about New museum to highlight role of Midwestern states in founding of Stars and Stripes
Opinion: Dear MSM: Some tips for covering the Midwest during the 2020 elections (Hint: Flyover is an F-word)
We’re deep in the middle of the Iowa State Fair, the unofficial start of the next election cycle, and a time when all of us out here in the Midwest are preparing for our short time in the country’s limited attention span. Candidates descend and with them, reporters who are tasked with getting the heartbeat of the “heartland,” one of the many clichés that have been used over … [Read more...] about Opinion: Dear MSM: Some tips for covering the Midwest during the 2020 elections (Hint: Flyover is an F-word)