The Washington Newspaper, November 2020 by Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

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THE WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER November 2020

Editor takes bull by the horns Page 3

Journal of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

Legislature will be in-person & virtual hybrid Because COVID-19 is making it difficult to gather in large groups, lawmaking in Olympia this January will be a hybrid of virtual meeting platforms, web and television coverage and perhaps a few limited socially-distanced, inperson gatherings. Plans are being made now to assure that open government laws that require the Legislature to operate in public are observed. According to current plans, in-person

observation and testimony at hearings will not be allowed except in rare circumstances. Capitol insiders say access to the Capitol building and other legislative offices will be severely limited, at least for the start of the session. All committee meetings will be virtual and floor sessions will have limited numbers of members and staff present, with everyone else watching on computer screens See LEGISLATURE, Page 2

Tech giants decimating local news, report says

Big search and social media companies are contributing to the decimation of local news outlets, a U.S. Senate report concludes. “These trillion-dollar companies scrape local news content and data for their own sites and leverage their market dominance to force local news to accept little to nothing for their intellectual property,” the report says. “There is a clear need for Congress to address the market failures created by the search and social-media platforms.” The report, issued by the Commerce Committee’s Democratic minority recommends that Congress require Facebook and Google to negotiate payment terms with local media outlets for the headlines, photos and summaries that attract users. It also suggests Congress give agencies “new or expanded authorities” to address the undue influence tech platforms exert in contracts with local news organizations. The report was released ahead of appearances by the chiefs of Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc. and Alphabet Inc. See REPORT, Page 2

Renae Justice is the winner of the 2020 Dixie Lee Bradley award. Here she shows off her award and the check that goes with it with DeVaul Publishing owner Frank DeVaul.

Justice gets Dixie Lee Bradley award; Willenbrock wins Miles Turnbull honor At its 133rd annual meeting Oct. 9, WNPA bestowed two of its highest honors. Renae Justice of DeVaul Publishing was awarded the Dixie Lee Bradley award, and Fred Willenbrock, the long-time publisher the Newport Miner, was given the Miles Turnbull Master Editor/Publisher award. The meeting was an all virtual affair this year due to state restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Dixie Lee Bradley tirelessly served the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association and its members for 45 years and the award in

her name recognizes newspaper staff members who work long and hard, often behind the scenes, to see that the best possible community newspaper is produced and distributed. Justice perfectly fits that description, said her boss Frank DeVaul. Justice joined the team at DeVaul Publishing, Inc. on Nov. 8, 1999. She was initially hired as a receptionist and billing clerk, but her role within the company expanded and grew with each new publication and business enterprise DeVaul Publishing tackled. Everything she was handed See AWARDS, Page 4

Fred Willenbrock, former owner of the Newport Miner.

Legislature: Hybrid of virtual/in person

Continued from Page 1 from their home or office. The number of reporters allowed in the building will also be very limited and there will be requirements to pass temperature checks and other protocols before admittance. Mike Bay, vice president for programming at TVW, Washington State’s public affairs television network, said citizens will be able to observe everything the state Legislature is doing. “Everything will be covered,” he said. While cable television can only broadcast one event at a time, TVW can live stream many hearings at once online. Bay estimated about one third of the state Legislature’s business will be on broadcast television. While TVW can make it possible to see

legislative hearings, accommodating citizen testimony is a different problem. Legislative leaders said last week they will allow people to sign up and deliver comments via Zoom from anywhere. Signups will be able to be done as late as one hour before a scheduled committee meeting, legislative leaders say. To manage the large numbers of people who might want to testify, additional means of commenting by email and mail will also be available. What won’t happen, at least according to current plans, is the usual hallway diplomacy and reporting that happens each session, where reporters, lobbyists and citizen activists talk with members as they leave hearings and make their way to the next meeting.

Officers: Caralyn Bess, President; Steve Powell, First Vice President; Michelle Nedved, Second Vice President; Patrick Grubb, Past President. Trustees: Roger Harnack, Scott Hunter, Teresa Myers, Pili Linares, Eric LaFontaine and Donna Etchey. 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. Staff 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 November 2020

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Relevant, meaningful content & great design the key to building readership By Caralyn Bess I am honored to serve as your president this year. As I said at the annual meeting, I have big shoes to fill and I promise to do my best. Thank you for your leadership, Patrick! For those of you that don’t know me, I grew up in the business, starting at an early age. Bess My first stint was in circulation, then editorial, moving over to the business side in the early 1980s selling advertising in Central Florida. When someone would ask what I did for a living, I’d reply “I have good conversations with businesses so that I can connect them to the right buyers in order to grow their business, how great is that!” Turns out, I was pretty good at that, so was promoted to management. In 2008, I began publishing a children’s education and literacy newspaper for five years while simultaneously becoming the Executive Director of a women’s networking group, growing the group to multiple chapters with over 900 members. This led me to open a digital marketing agency before being recruited back to newspapers in 2016. Enough about me. Let’s talk about something near and dear to all of our hearts…newspapers. We’ve heard so much about news

deserts and unfortunately, there are communities losing access to local news as newspapers close, reduce publication days or move to onlineonly content. This pandemic has only accelerated that trend. According to UNC News Desert Map (updated in June this year), there are one 127 newspapers in Washington, an 11% decline from 2004. We’ve lost 17 weeklies and one daily. Of the 39 counties, twenty-one do not have a daily newspaper and eleven have only one newspaper. Asotin is the only county without a local newspaper published within its borders, although its major city, Clarkston, is served by the Lewiston Tribune just across the state border in Idaho. There are also twenty-three online news organizations. But what exactly is a news desert? UNC’s Center for Innovation & Sustainability in Local Media defines a news desert as: “a community, either rural or urban, with limited access to the sort of credible and comprehensive news and information that feeds democracy at the grassroots level.” They also note that it is both a supply and demand issue concerning local news…supply issue as metros cut back on rural circulation and coverage, and a demand issue as readers opt not to subscribe to significantly diminished local newspapers. Take the Columbia Basin Herald as an example. We failed our community by reducing local news, relying more on wire stories and press releases. And as the pages and local content dimin-

ished over the years, our circulation declined. We became disconnected from the community. It has taken us three years to reconnect and regain their trust. Not that we don’t have more to do, but we now have a local, community newspaper that is relevant and connected to our community. In a world filled with fake news, where everyone with a mobile phone and a social media account thinks they are a journalist, it is so important for local newspapers to serve their respective communities with relevant, meaningful content (and compelling design). With the heightened audience tied to newspaper’s covid coverage, there is no better time to strengthen our relationships and connection to our respective communities. The UNC Center for Innovation & Sustainability in Local Media has produced four reports. I encourage you to read them and to use this exercise template https://bit.ly/3jmZR6z to test the quality and quantity of your local news. Finally, I would like to know what you think the WNPA should be focusing on and how we can continue to improve our value proposition, and support our members and our industry. Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to me cbess@hagadonemedia.com 509765-4561. I’m here to serve. Caralyn Bess is the Publisher of the Columbia Basin Herald and this year’s WNPA President.

Stevenson fills new editor role in Colfax

Bill Stevenson is the new editor Eastern Washington, at the Whitman County Gazette. Stevenson also has He brings 27 years of journaltwo years of reviewism experiece with him to his ing software while Colfax position, where he will living in Japan, and oversee The Gazette, Colfax Daily a year in Nevada Bulletin and Franklin Connection running a national (a news website for neighboring magazine for motorStevenson cycles. Franklin County) In addition to his newspaper “Writing 24 stories about experience, which is mostly in motor oil took the glamour out

of writing about the motorcycle industry,” he said. Stevenson started his career at a weekly newspaper in Okanogan in 1990. He moved onto working at the Oroville newspaper, KOMW radio, then The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle in Omak. He also worked at the helm of the Columbia Basin Herald and The Tri-City Herald.

REPORT: Local news hurt by Facebook, Twitter, Google Continued from Page 1 (Google and YouTube) before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Washington’s own Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, is a ranking member. One of the report’s urgent points is that the public still doesn’t realize the degree to which local news is threatened or near collapse in some communities. “These market dynamics are further compounded by a lack of public awareness of the crisis facing local journalism,” the report says. “A recent poll found that 71 percent of Americans believe their local news media is ‘doing well financially.’” Among the report’s conclusions are: • “Local journalism is essential for healthy communities, competitive marketplaces, and a thriving democracy.”

• “Unfortunately, the local news industry is being decimated in the digital age. This is due to both to the rapid proliferation of online news content as well as unfair market practices by some of the world’s largest technology companies that reuse local news organization’s content, data, customers, and advertisers.” • “While the value of local journalism as a trusted brand is starting to shine through to advertisers, the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic is endangering what is left of local journalism.” • “If Americans are to continue to receive the benefits of local journalism — transparency, fact-checking, professional editing, and high-quality and timely reporting that promotes vibrant, cohesive, and diverse communities — local news needs help to survive the current economic storm.”

Lea Leggitt | Legit Outdoor Photography

Editor grabs news by the horns

Davenport Times editor Jamie Henneman is literally grabbing the “bull by the horns.” On Oct. 24, she competed in chute doggin’ in an all-women’s roughstock rodeo in Colorado while also reporting on the event for her readership.

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.

The Washington Newspaper November 2020 3

AWARDS: Justice, Willenbrock win top honors Continued from Page 1 was done with reliability, accuracy and dedication. Her “behind the scenes” contributions were vital to the growth and development of the company and its employees. As Business Manager of DeVaul Publishing there is now virtually no aspect of the company she doesn’t have a hand in, starting with the obvious roles in the business department of supervising billing, receivables, payables and Human Resources. She also is the “go-to” person when salespeople have questions about the correct way to enter and schedule ads or how affidavits are issued for legal notices. In addition, whenever the need arises she jumps right in to label newspapers to meet postal entry deadlines, track down missing inserts or newspaper bundles, or any other emergent need that might arise in the unpredictable nature of the business. Beyond helping the company publish six regular newspapers and numerous seasonal publications and operate a commercial sheet-fed print shop, she has played a key role in diversification of the company, which now produces community events and operates retail ventures that include a coffee bar, a women’s fashion boutique and a Hallmark Gold Crown gift store. “She has her finger on the pulse of the company and its employees like a mother over her children,” says Frank DeVaul. “She senses when someone is having a challenging day. There

have even been times when I have evidently “sighed” in frustration without realizing it and she casually sticks her head in my office door to say ‘Everything okay, Frank? I just heard your ‘sigh’ and figured something was up.’” DeVaul continued: “Having known Dixie Lee Bradley when my wife Judy and I first joined the WNPA family, it is with great praise and honor that I can nominate Renae Justice for the Dixie Lee Bradley Award. She has filled the same role for DeVaul Publishing as Dixie did for WNPA.” Justice was given an engraved clock commemorate the honor and a check for $500.

story of people in their today. community who could “I fought racist Aryan not or would not. And Nations neighbors with at the same time, make words and promoted the it a better place because poorest economy in the the newspaper was there state with calls to action working for them every that built a $300 milweek. In the end you still lion newsprint mill and needed to make a profit in $250,000 high school these hard scrabble comtrack. Sometime durmunities. ing those years - that I “My mentors spanned couldn’t have survived from John Andrist and without my wife and Bruce Wilson giving a partner Susan - I got it Bellevue boy a job in - the spirit of the Miles Dixie Lee Bradley Miles Turnbull wild-west Omak to John Turnball Master Editor/ our association has so Miles style he simply told Fournier, Chuck Fournier, Publisher award. What many worthy candidates a dozen of them over wine Jeff Fletcher and Jean our newspapers do is vital and the board knows these and cheese that he was an Morgan taking a chance and means more than just awards are important and advertising guru and they on a 32-year-old starvmaking money. It takes not taken lightly. absolutely needed to use ing editor and becoming skilled and dedicated “Although I did hear the Newport Miner or go my partners in Newport. people with a special that when my name came out of business the next There were many more mission assisted by an up for consideration day. teachers and inspirational inspirational family like - Scott Hunter, Frank “He was among a long friends from WNPA for WNPA to survive.” DeVaul, Scott Wilson and list of WNPA members me before I became the Willenbrock served as Mike Lewis all said: “I who helped me. Everyone teacher and inspiration for a WNPA board member thought he was dead! one of them understood others. This is what I had and was WNPA president “Well, I’m still here the mission of telling the TURNBULL MASTER before and you still have in 1996. and a testament to the fact EDITOR/PUBLISHER that there is life after 40 TURN Fred Willenbrock and …OUR TRANSPARENT glorious years as commuhis wife Susan left their ON THE GOVERNMENT BELONGS TO YOU. jobs in Seattle when they nity newspaper reporter, LIGHT… editor and publisher; were both 34 to take ownership of the Newport years I wouldn’t trade for Miner on the opposite end anything. “But the real master of the state. editors and publishers Willenbrock has are those working today famously said that when that have to overcome so he came to Newport, one much adversity to get to of the first people he met the finish line each week. was leaving town. Now, looking back, he marvels When Newport and Gem State Miner publisher Miabout those early days Keys to government chelle Nedved asked me of economic and social Accountability unrest and the journey he what I did to survive the recession of 2008, I told Responsibility took through the digital her it was nothing like transformation at his Accessibility this – declining readership newspaper and the social topped with a pandemic transition of his commuclosing scores of adverWashington’s Open Public Meetings and Public Records Acts nity. “This is really an unex- tisers’ doors with little Preserve your rights to government actions that affect you. pected honor and I appre- certainty on the horizon. Learn about Open Government – When Records Requests are Denied… “There is one thing that ciate the board’s recogniis the same – community http://washingtoncog.org/dealing-denial tion,” Willenbrock said as he accepted his award. newspaper people supporting each other. “As a past president and “I remember Miles board member of the Turnbull volunteering to Washington Newspaper come to Newport and give In partnership with Publishers Association, I a seminar for my advertisdo know that these deciContact us with your open-government questions sions are difficult because ers and mentor me. With 360-344-2938 • wnpa.com

DON’T LOSE IT!

Look to WNPA Impact Ads for 2021 tourism Selling statewide or regional 2x2 or 2x4 Impact Ads is a big part of what helps fund your Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, and it’s a great option for advertisers seeking broader reach for their messages. It also is a perfect match for hotel-motel tax funds distributed annually by cities and counties to local non-profit groups. If you have not already, you should ask your city and county governments (each has separate funds) for a report on where the hotelmotel tax money is going. In most cases, the non-profit organizations that receive this money are supposed to spend it in outside markets that will draw people to your town. Although most events are limited right now, at some point we will get back to community gatherings. If anything, people will be itching to get out next spring and summer and these ad dollars are often planned a year ahead of time. It’s not too early to check on plans for 2021. WNPA ads are a perfect match for boosting community events because you can choose to advertise regionally or

statewide. Here’s how it works: • You sell the ad to a local non-profit organization to bolster tourism. • 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 sales person gets their regular commission on the sale. • 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 cost to the client affordable by asking all member newspapers to publish the ads sold by other newspapers without cost. 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,

The map above shows the regions for Impact Ads. Sell the whole state, or choose a region. 5 The Washington Newspaper November 2020

but there is no guarantee of this. The ads are small – just two columns wide by either two or four inches tall. One column by four or eight inches are also OK. They

need to be produced in two different widths, to accommodate different column widths. So talk with local chambers or festival organizers or others who receive hotel-

motel tax money from local governments, and let’s start planning our comeback. The WNPA 2x2 ad program is an important arrow in your sales quiver and a great way for advertisers in

your area to reach a broader audience at a very affordable price. Questions? Call Member Services Director Janay Collins at 360-3442938 or email ads@wnpa. com.

JOB BOARD

REPORTER/SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR This position calls for someone who knows how to cover local news from the school district to local events and new businesses and more. Are you skilled at researching and going beyond the surface to get the real answers? Are your interviewing skills up to snuff? Do you want to develop your skills and grow as a versatile member of a company that values your contribution? And do you like the outdoors? If so, you’ll want to be the special publication editor of such titles as Mount Baker Experience, Waterside and Pacific Coast Weddings. You may not be an all-round athlete but you should be an enthusiast if you’re going to be dealing with freelance writers and photographers. If this sounds like you, you might be the right person to join a small, locally owned publishing company producing weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual publications – often on overlapping schedules. We’re looking for an engaged (and engaging),

conscientious individual with energy, creativity and drive. Learn more about the company at www. pointrobertspress.com. We’re looking first for the right type of person for this position - smart, adaptable, reliable, punctual and quick. You’ll need solid writing skills – because that’s Job 1 for this position. Above all, accuracy is utmost importance. Your responsibilities will include reporting on local organizations and school sports (when they resume). You’ll be responsible for the editorial direction and project management of two annual magazines and a weekly e-newspaper. Additionally, you’ll be primarily responsible for copy editing a weekly and monthly newspaper and a quarterly magazine, scheduling and coordinating freelance contributors and working closely with other editorial and production personnel. Ideally, you will have a degree in journalism and be familiar with InDesign, Photoshop and Word. Knowledge of Constant Contact would be a plus.

Maintaining and growing a social media presence is an important component of this position. Benefits include paid vacation and health insurance (following completion of probationary period). Tell us about yourself by sending a cover letter and resume to pgrubb@ pointrobertspress.com. No phone calls, please.

short. Weekly or daily ing.com, is an Equal Opnewspaper experience is portunity Employer and preferred, though time strongly supports diversity worked on student pubin the workplace. lications and internships will be considered. Must JOURNALISM INTERNSHIP be comfortable using a The Daily Herald is smartphone in the field now accepting applicato take photos and shoot tions for our 2021 internvideo. ship program set to begin Position requires: in January. We prefer • 1-2 years experience journalism majors who as a newspaper reporter are juniors, seniors, recent • 4-year college degree graduates, or graduate REPORTER in Communication, students who have college The award-winning Journalism, English, or and professional multimeweekly newspaper, equivalent journalism dia experience and who Peninsula Daily News, in experience intend to pursue a career beautiful Port Townsend, • Job involves paginain journalism. WA, has an opening for tion, including knowledge The person selected for a general assignment of digital photography and the program can expect reporter. Adobe InDesign, in addi- to cover important news We want a skilled and tion to Web page manage- stories, while receiving passionate writer who ment. This is a full-time training in researching, isn’t afraid to tackle meaty position that includes interviewing, writing, news stories. Experience excellent benefits: medimultimedia, and other eswith photography and cal, dental, life insurance, sential skills from veteran Adobe InDesign preferred. 401k, paid vacation, sick, journalists. Our last two Applicants must be able to and holidays. EOE. No interns are now staff memwork in a team-oriented, calls, please. Send resume bers! deadline-driven environwith cover letter, and three The length of the ment, possess excellent or more non-returnable internship is negotiawriting skills, have a clips in PDF or Text forble, based on the appliknowledge of community mat to careers@soundpub- cant’s academic calendar. news and be able to write lishing.com. This is a paid posiabout multiple topics. Please include in the tion. Applicants who are The ideal candidate subject line ATTN: GenWashington residents is comfortable writing Rep - PDT Reporter. are preferred. Due to the hard news and features, Sound PublishCOVID-19 pandemic, both long-form and ing, www.soundpublishnewsroom staffpt 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximumour Font Size: 30

is currently working remotely. Interns will be expected to live in or very near Snohomish County. Interns must find their own housing, have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance, and access to a vehicle. If interested, upload a cover letter, resume, references, and up to 5 of your best clips to: careers@ soundpublishing.com and include: EDHINTERN in the subject line. The deadline for applying is Nov. 30, 2020. We expect to make our selection in early December. SPORTS / GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER The Grant County Journal, a community newspaper in Ephrata, WA, is seeking a sports and general assignment reporter. This position is full-time and should change to mostly sports coverage once prep sports returns to full schedules considering changes in state guidelines. Please send resumé to: Grant County Journal, Attn: Jeff Fletcher, PO Box 998, Ephrata, WA 98823. Continued on Page 7

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The Washington Newspaper November 2020 6

JOB BOARD Continued from Page 6

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Do you love being part of the community? The North County Outlook is seeking a fullor part-time advertising sales representative to join our hometown newspaper team! Preference is for self-motivated, resultsdriven people who are excited to share the many benefits of newspaper, online, and niche product advertising. The North County Outlook is locally-owned and operated since 2007. Please email resume to sue@northcountyoutlook.com. OUTSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVE Love being a part of your community? Come work with us at Sound Publishing, Inc., Washington’s largest community newspaper organization, where every day can be a new adventure! Enjoy using your consultative sales skills, partnering with local business owners in the Okanogan area to help them grow their business through branding, marketing, and advertising strategies and celebrating their successes. Sound Publishing, Inc. is looking for selfmotivated, results-driven people who are excited to share the many benefits of newspaper, online, and niche product advertising. The sales position is responsible for both print and digital advertising. What we offer you: • Benefits package including health insurance paid time off, and 401k with employer match If you meet the abovenoted qualifications and are seeking an opportunity to be part of an award-

winning media company, we’d love to see meet you! Please email your cover letter, including salary requirement and resume to careers@soundpublishing.com and be sure to include ATTN: MMSC-Okanogan in the subject line. MULTIMEDIA SALES CONSULTANT The Daily World, a division of Sound Publishing, Inc. is looking for a self-motivated, resultsdriven sales consultant to help local businesses achieve customer growth through digital and print marketing efforts. Successful candidates will be engaging and goal-oriented, with good organizational skills. Sound Publishing and The Daily World offer a large number of marketing options to help businesses grow. From print ads in our 7 locally distributed newspapers, niche publications and special sections, ads on our websites, leveraging the entire Sound Publishing catalog and extended reach digital marketing we have something that can benefit any business; and that’s just the start of what we offer! No two customers are alike. Knowing how to listen to their needs and apply the vast array of marketing options that Sound Publishing has to help them achieve their goals will be the key to success. This position requires creative problem solving with a solutionbased mindset. If you’re someone who enjoys a challenge, is self-motivated with a positive attitude, can think outside the box with an eye towards answers then we want to talk to you!

Previous sales experience is not required. Compensation commensurate with experience. We offer health insurance, paid time off, and 401k with employer match. Interested candidates should email a cover letter, including salary requirement and resume to Careers@soundpublish-

ing.com and be sure to include ATTN: Aberdeen MMSC-O in the subject line. INSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVE Are you ready for an exciting career in multimedia advertising? The Whidbey News-Times and South Whidbey

Record, divisions of Sound Publishing, Inc. are looking for an Inside Sales Representative for our office on Whidbey Island. We offer competitive base pay with commissions, and a benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, a

401k retirement plan with company match, paid time off including vacation and sick leave. Please email your cover letter, including salary requirements and resume to careers@soundpublishing.com and be sure to include ATTN: MMSC Whidbey in the subject line.

The Washington Newspaper November 2020 7