The Washington Newspaper, February 2022

TWN

THE WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER

Impact Ad program: New regions, new prices!

February 2022

Pages 4&5

Journal of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

Postal reform bill moving in U.S. Senate

Changes won’t spare newspapers from mailing increases in 2023 Congress is close to adopting a postal reform bill that will free the U.S. Postal service of crippling debt and overhaul operations.

The bill is heralded by newspaper organizations, but still won’t spare newspapers from increases in postal rates of up to 10 percent in 2023, sources say.

The bill, the Postal Service Reform Act, cleared the the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 342 to 92 and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said

he intends to get the bill to President Biden within days.

Representatives in both parties have recognized for years the need to eliminate the agency’s debt and restructure operations, because, in 2006, The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act saddled the Postal Service with a $5 billion annual obligation to prefund retiree health costs for 75 years.

The prefunding requirement was met for only two years and then an ailing USPS See REFORM, Page 2

Standup paddleboarders challenge themselves in a quickly running Methow River.

The photo won a third place for Don Nelson of the Methow Valley News in the 2021 Better Newspaper Contest. This year’s contest opens April 1.

Bess retires, Richardson takes the helm in Moses Lake Former WNPA President Caralyn Bess is retiring as publisher of the Columbia Basin Herald and moving to North Carolina where she and her husband David will turn their attention to restoring an historic home built in 1871.

“The home sits on 12 woodRichardson Bess ed acres and we’ll be close to family and friends,” said Bess. made here in Moses Lake but “We will truly miss all of the are excited to be close to family wonderful friends we have and longtime friends, too.”

Stepping into Bess’ big shoes is a familiar face in the community and established CBH leader: Bob Richardson, who will be the general manager.

A 1993 Moses Lake High School graduate, Richardson started in the newspaper’s circulation department in June 1997 and worked his way up over the years. Until his promotion to the top job, Richardson

was serving in three roles: CBH advertising director and publisher of both the weekly Sun Tribune and monthly Basin Business Journal.

“The day I started working at the Columbia Basin Herald, I made the decision that I would work my way up the ladder to one day run this paper,” Richardson said. “This is my hometown newspaper, and I am appreciative of the opportuni-

ties that the Hagadone Corporation has given me so I could realize my dream.”

Looking back, Bess noted some of the highlights of her tenure at the CBH helm.

Among them are a complete newspaper redesign, winning 53 awards in the 2020 and 2021 Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspaper contests, initiating See HERALD, Page 3

REFORM: Bill has mandate to keep 6-day delivery

Continued from Page 1 transferred the obligation to debt on its balance sheet.

The rising debt alarmed the Postal Regulatory Commission, which gave USPS authority to pass along substantial postage increases. Those increases are still in the pipeline and in 2023 newspapers can expect two increases totaling nearly 10 percent in higher costs.

This current legislation will shift more postal retirees to Medicare for their health care and require most postal workers to select postalspecific health care plans. It takes payments toward health care benefits for future retirees off the agency’s balance sheet and requires more oversight of the agency’s investments and performance, including

a new public website for tracking results. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy endorsed the bill and said its core components were essential to eliminating projected losses over the next decade.

Other important provisions in the bill include a mandate for continued 6-day mail service.

It also allows community newspapers to increase their use of the mail by sending sample copies to potential new subscribers.

Although a procedural hitch in the Senate introduced by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, slowed the bill’s approval Jan. 15, the bill has bipartisan support and observers say they are confident the measure will clear the 60-member support threshold.

Officers: Steve Powell, President; Michelle Nedved, First Vice President; Donna Etchey, Second Vice President; Trustees: Roger Harnack, Heather Hernandez, Teresa Myers, Rudi Alcott, Sean Flaherty and Matt Winters and Bob Richardson.

THE WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER is the offical publication of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. It is published monthly by WNPA, PO Box 389, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

Fred Obee: Executive Director: 360-344-2938 Email: fredobee@wnpa.com Janay Collins, Member Services Director: 360-344-2938. Email: ads@wnpa.com

2 The Washington Newspaper February 2022

FROM THE PRESIDENT

No shortage of letters to the editor when your community is engaged

By Steve Powell I have a problem I can almost guarantee that none of you have.

Too many letters to the editor.

Hard to believe, right? I have a hard time believing it myself.

I’ve never seen anything like it.

Not even close.

Usually papers are begging for letters.

I’m editor of the Bainbridge Island Review. In the 1 1/2 years I’ve Powell been here, we’ve probably averaged one full broadsheet page of letters a week.

It’s not really a problem because I think Letters to the Editor are one of the best features newspapers have that no other media does. The community can voice its opinion through us. So, not only do we have a voice to make our community better our community does, too.

But with so many letters, it really does chew up a lot of space.

We’ve done some things to deal with the issue, like reducing the number of words allowed. We also allow just a couple a month from each writer, and it needs to be on a different topic.

People can write longer letters, but they will only appear online.

Thank you letters also only run

online.

During election season, we would only run up to two letters on each candidate each week. I received some complaints about that.

They would say that doesn’t show the true support of a candidate. I responded by saying I wasn’t born yesterday, and I know all about letter-writing campaigns.

You might wonder why Bainbridge gets so many letters. It’s just my perception, but I think there are a couple of reasons.

One, it is a highly educated community. A large majority of the residents have college degrees. As a result they believe their opinions are good ones.

Another reason is Bainbridge is a hotbed for controversy. They are not afraid to take on the tough issues. Actually, they are not afraid to take on all the tough issues.

They have committees on everything: Racial Equity, Design Review Board for housing standards, Climate Change, Cultural Funding, Ethics, Green Building, Human Services Funding and Sustainable Transportation.

Plus, they have ones most other cities have like a City Council, but this one is very divisive, Planning Commission, Salary Commission and more. The Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District also has addressed a num-

ber of hot topics, such as buying a private athletic club and almost putting in mountain bike trails in a nature park.

I’ve been able to cover many of these issues thanks to COVID-19 actually. They are on Zoom, which makes them much easier to cover than going to live meetings.

Where normally I wouldn’t cover something until it reached the City Council, now I can cover stories at their roots. And the people get stirred up.

The hottest issue has been buying a former medical building to turn into a combined police stationcourthouse. Letters keep coming in about how too much was spent in the first place, and someone may have benefitted. Others don’t like the location or the building, saying it’s too big and near a senior living center and church. And, just like nationwide, others are saying police get too much funding, and there should be cutbacks so more can be spent on social services. Bainbridge has a very low crime rate, so they don’t need that big of a building.

There will be more to come on that in 2022, so I know I’ll be able to count on more letters coming my way.

Steve Powell is the editor of the Bainbridge Island Review and this year’s WNPA President.

Podcast: Amber Dodd, racial equity reporter

In a new WNPA podcast, Amber Dodd, the RacialEquity Reporter for the Spokane Spokesman Review, talks about her experience in reporting and how Dodd others might cover issues of race.

Dodd joined the Spokesman Reveiw in June 2021. The position centers on the lives, history and narratives

of people and communities of color.

The Michael Conley Charitable Fund, the Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund and the Innovia Foundation funds the Racial-Equity Reporter position.

Dodd received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications degree with a language minor in Latin from Mississippi State. She was born in Baltimore.

The WNPA podcast site features journalists from different places across the profession. Podcasts on the stie include Les Zaitz, owner and Publisher

of the Malheur Enterprise, Eli Sanders, Pulitzer Prize winning writer for the Stranger in Seattle, former Mother Jones publisher Mark Dowie and Jacqui Banazynski, another Pulitizer winner, talking about winnning trust, interviewing and narrative writing techniques.

To find the podcasts, go to wnpa.com and click on the podcast tile in the middle of the home page or search for WNPA under Google podcasts.

HERALD: Richardson takes the helm

Continued from Page 1 and co-founding Light Up Moses Lake, serving on numerous boards and committees, and winning the 2019 Citizen of the Year Award from the Moses Lake/Othello Association of Realtors and 2019-2020 President’s Award from the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.

She also glows when noting the Columbia Basin Herald made an honorable mention in Editor and Publisher’s 2021 prestigious Top Ten Who Do It Right national publication.

For Richardson, taking responsibility for all aspects of the Herald

completes the goal he envisioned almost 25 years ago when he took his first job at the newspaper. He said he owes a lot to Bess for helping him reach the top.

“She was the leader/ mentor that I needed to get me to the point of being able to run our newspaper successfully,” he said. “I appreciate all that she’s done for me and all that she has taught me.

She’s someone that I’ll be able to call for advice for the rest of my career.”

The father of three children and a 14-year veteran girls fastpitch softball coach, Richardson acknowledged there are challenges ahead –

which he’s eager to tackle because what the Herald offers is essential to an informed community.

“While the newspaper industry has changed since I first came into the business, it still is the source for local news,” he said. “There isn’t another news medium where you can read about your neighbors, your kids and your community like you can with the Columbia Basin Herald.

“My goal is to publish more local content and more local sports daily.

With help from our community, we can do that.”

Richardson asked readers to share news tips and photos, as well as

information about youth and adult sporting events.

The future is bright, he said, adding a note of gratitude.

“I would like to thank all of our communities in the Columbia Basin for their continued support,” Richardson said. “The strength of our paper is our communities. I look forward to continuing the excellence that our paper has established over the past few years and building on that strong foundation.”

Bess was currently serving as Past President on the WNPA Board of Directors. Richardson has agreed to join the board as a trustee and will serve a three-year term.

Secret Justice Department legal opinions unveiled Some sun is beginning to shine on U.S. Department of Justice opinions that for years have been kept secret.

The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University recently spearheaded an effort to make opinions authored by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) more accessible.

Opinions of the OLC have carried the weight of law, but until now, generally were not available to the public.

The Knight Institute brought suit over the

secrecy and prevailed.

Under the terms of the litigation the documents are available only in an online reading room created by the Knight Institute.

More than 1,700 OLC opinions were written between 1934 and 2022.

Approximately 350 of those opinions are available in the institute’s reading room.

The Institute will continue updating its reading room as new OLC opinions are published.

The opinions can be viewed by navigating to the Institute’s web page at knightcolumbia.org.

WITH OVER 60 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, WE KNOW JOURNALISM. From public records to protecting journalists, from defamation claims to business needs, large and small Washington publishers turn to us.

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The Washington Newspaper February 2022 3

Statewide ad network has been updated!

New ad prices, & state regions

Take note! Your WNPA co-op ad network now has just two regions, Western and Eastern Washington, and ad pricing has been adjusted accordingly. Now it is simpler than ever to use the network to bring in new revenue!

Now that the pandemic is receding and public health directives are relaxing, people will be itching to get out and mingle and community events will once again take to the streets.

But after two years of relative inactivity, how will people know your town is open for business and welcoming tourists?

Online advertising is an option, but with ad blocking software and distrust growing over social media, it isn’t the solution it used to be. In this changing environment, trusted community newspapers across the state serving a highly educated, affluent and involved readership are a perfect place to get a message out.

Every ad salesperson knows it is wise to identify the entities in your community with fat ad budgets. At this moment in time, don’t overlook the folks with hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend – your local governments!

Every city and county in the state has a pool of money generated by local lodging taxes, and that money is supposed to reach beyond local markets and bring people to town.

If you have not already, you should ask your city and county governments (each has separate Continued on Page 5 4 The Washington Newspaper February 2022

Ad network: Continued from Page 4 funds) for a report on where the lodging tax money is going (usually chambers of commerce and local non-profits) and then propose a marketing plan that reaches out across the region.

WNPA ads are a perfect match for boosting community events because you can choose to advertise regionally or statewide.

Here’s how the WNPA program works: • You sell the ad to a local organization.

• You charge your client for the full cost of the ad and send an insertion order to WNPA. WNPA then invoices you for half the cost of the ad, splitting the revenue on the ad sale. The advertising salesperson gets their regular commission on the sale and $50 direct from WNPA. • WNPA uses our share of the money to provide your legal hotline, professional services, Legislative Day, the Better Newspaper Contest and the annual convention.

• We keep the price to the client affordable by asking all member newspapers to publish the ads sold by other newspapers for free. The ads are small – just two columns wide by either two or four inches tall. One column by four or eight inches is also OK. They need to be produced in two different widths, to accommodate different column widths.

Potential customers include festivals, fairs, resorts, real estate offices, state agencies, statewide or regional political candidates – anyone who desires a cost effective regional or statewide campaign.

Because member newspapers publish these ads for free, we can only promise that they will run as black and white ads.

If you include a color version, many papers will use it instead, but there is no guarantee of this.

Need more information? Contact Janay at WNPA by emailing ads@wnpa.com or by calling 360-344-2938.

5 The Washington Newspaper February 2022

JOB BOARD

GRAPHIC DESIGNER The Methow Valley News in Twisp is seeking a part-time graphic designer (estimating 20 hours a week depending on needs) for its publications (a weekly newspaper and several annual magazines).

Substantial experience with designing editorial and advertising content for print publications including newspapers and magazines is required, as is fluency in Adobe’s print production suite. Familiarity with social media platforms would be a plus and could lead to additional work up to full-time.

Some work may be possible remotely, although residency in the Methow Valley is preferred. Send a resume, cover letter and/ or portfolio examples to editor@methowvalleynews. com. No calls, please. The position is open immediately.

office environment.

Candidates will be self-motivated, demonstrate follow through and an attention to detail. Strong computer skills, internet savvy, organizational skills, clear verbal and written communication skills. Previous sales, including media, preferred.

Must own and operate an automobile and maintain a good driving record with a current, valid driver’s license and insurance which meets required limits of coverage.

This is a full-time position with health and retirement benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability and 401(k).

Send cover & resume to Sean Flaherty, Publisher, Quincy Valley Post Register.

EDITOR Sound Publishing has an immediate opening for Editor of the Port Orchard Independent and Central AD DIRECTOR/ Kitsap Reporter. This is OUTSIDE SALES The Quincy Valley Post- not an entry-level position.

Requires a hands-on leader Register has an immediate with a minimum of three need for an experienced years newspaper experience local salesperson to lead including writing, editing, our revenue growth. Our thriving weekly is located in pagination, photography, the heart of beautiful North InDesign skills, editing and monitoring social media Central Washington, steps including Twitter, Facevaway from outdoor recreation and close to shopping, book, etc.

The successful candihealthcare and other cities. date, has a demonstrated In this position, you will lead the Quincy Valley Post interest in local political and Register weekly newspaper cultural affairs, possesses excellent writing and verbal to achieve/exceed its sales skills, and can provide goals. representative clips from You will be responsible one or more professional for growing an established account list and bringing in publications.

You should have experinew advertisers. This is a ence editing reporters’ copy multi-media sales position and submitted materials for including print, digital, content and style, and the social media products and ability to managing a forum event sponsorship sales. page by writing cogent Connect with the Quincy and stylistically interesting Valley’s business community. Function as a support- commentaries and editing a ive team member in a small reader letters column.

Experience with social media and newspaper website content management is also required.

The editor must be visible in the community and possess a reliable, insured, motor vehicle and a valid Washington State driver’s license.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package including health insurance, paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays), and 401K with an employer match.

If you are interested in joining the team at the Port Orchard Independent and Central Kitsap Reporter, email your cover letter, resume, and up to five samples of your work to: careers@soundpublishing.com. Please be sure to note: ATTN: EDPOI in the subject line.

content, social media?

Effective communication and strong leadership skills are necessary, as well as enthusiasm, creativity and organizational skills.

This opportunity affords a full-time position with generous benefits after a 60-day new hire period.

Benefits include health care, paid holidays, sick, vacation and personal days, as well as 401(k) and Flexible Spending (FSA) EOE. Must have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurability.

We look forward to hearing from you about your interest to join our team!

Send resume, cover letter, and writing samples and professional references to: tmyers@omakchronicle. com with “Managing Editor” in the subject line.

If you prefer to mail the information, do so to: The Chronicle - Attn: Teresa Myers, PO Box 553, Omak, WA 98841. No phone calls please.

Sales Consultant.

Excellent written, verbal, and digital communication skills are a necessity, as is reliable transportation. As a Sales Consultant, you’ll focus on being the point of contact for each of your clients on an established account list and seek new clients to expand that list.

Front office/receptionist duties may be required when needed.

Salary begins at $14.49 per hour, plus commission.

Sales experience is required, advertising sales preferred.

Perks include weekends and holidays off.

Must have valid driver’s license, clean driving record and proof of insurance.

To apply, email your resume to info@sunnysidesun.com.

MARKETING SPECIALIST Are you creative, detail oriented, outgoing, proactive, & can work independently, but also part of a team?

Let’s meet!

The Port Townsend Leader is looking for a Marketing Specialist to develop new advertising,

MANAGING EDITOR The award-winning Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle is seeking a topnotch managing editor to lead the newsroom in the SALES CONSULTANT largest community newsThe Sunnyside Sun, the paper in beautiful Northlocal newspaper in SunCentral Washington. Our nyside, Wash., is seeking a newspaper covers a vast area featuring several small 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt towns, picturesque mountain ranges, beautiful lakes and fertile valleys not far from the Canadian border.

The successful candidate will lead a team of journalists dedicated to providing the best coverage of people, places and events Tyler W Whitworth, in Okanogan and Ferry Financial Advisor counties, from the Cascade Mountains to the Columbia 640 Lincoln Ave River.

Tenino, WA 98589 Can you write compel360-264-5004 ling stories, shoot photos and paginate? Do you have the skills to lead a traditional print newsroom as well as enhancing the news product with multi-media innovaed wardjon es .com tion - - digital tools, web

as well as retain and grow existing key accounts. We provide the culture, tools, and environment for you to succeed by offering creative advertising solutions for local businesses.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package including health insurance, paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays), and 401k (with an employer match).

Contact Donna Etchey at (360)385-2900, email admin@ptleader.com, or by mail to 226 Adams St., Port Townsend, WA 98368.

REPORTERS We are looking for reporters for our Eastern Oregon newspaper group.

Hours are flexible, 37.5 hours a week, and not all in the office.

To apply with EO Media Group, upload your resume, letter of interest and clips today.

Please specify preferred location as Pendleton, Baker City or John Day. Go here to apply: https:// www.applicantpro.com/ openings/eomediagroup/ jobs/2209939-429346.

Complimentary investment review.

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The Washington Newspaper February 2022 6

What happens to your archives when newspapers consolidate?

Sometimes the selling publisher will retain ownership, sometimes the archives are passed on to the new owners. In either case, it is important that all parties agree and understand what is going to happen with the bound, loose or microfilm archives.

Historical stakeholders will continue your stewardship!

There’s no downside to scanning your newspaper's archive but there is a singular hurdle so daunting that most publishers simply cannot foresee any way to overcome it – cost. Luckily, there are organizations determined to help. ArchiveInABox works with historical societies and museums who can provide funding to digitize and index small-town newspapers, while publisher retains all ownership and rights.

ArchiveInABox can help you: Carry on Stewardship Mission Maintain Ownership of Copyrights Digitize Archives for Community Access

ArchiveInABox.com 7 The Washington Newspaper February 2022

Kirkpatrick

New editor on the job in Cheney Veteran journalist Bob Kirkpatrick has joined the Cheney Free Press to reinvigorate the newsroom and help bring a new look to the newspapers.

Kirkpatrick came to the media industry later in his life. It had always been a passion of his, but he couldn’t pursue it until his kids were grown and out of the house.

“Growing up in the ‘60s, I developed a watchdog mentality of what’s happening around me and felt there was a need for accountability,” Kirkpatrick said.

Kirkpatrick obtained his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Central Washington University in 2005. He is an award-winning journalist and photographer and has held the positions of editor and reporter/ photographer at several weekly and daily newspapers on both sides of the Cascades, with stops in Leavenworth, Othello and Moses Lake.

“As a veteran journalist, he knows what it takes to produce a quality newspaper,” Publisher Roger Harnack said.