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THE WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER November 2023
Donate today to WNPA Foundation Page 3
Journal of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
Ohio implements sweeping changes to public notices
Committee reviewing exemptions stumbles
Bill buried inside the state’s budget allows governments to bypass papers Unbeknownst to most in the newspaper business, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law a bill that will bring sweeping changes to the state’s public notice regime. DeWine signed the bill less than a week after it passed both the GOP-dominated state House and Senate by wide margins on June 30. Few were aware of the measure. It was buried within the Legislature’s 6,198-page budget. Ohio HB-33 allows municipalities to publish many or most of their notices on their own websites and social media feeds, or on the Ohio News Media Association’s (ONMA) statewide public notice website, instead of publishing them in local
newspapers or legal journals. The bill also allows Ohio’s state environmental agency to publish all of its notices on its website instead of local newspapers and legal journals. Ohio is now the second state to pass a law allowing local governments to post a substantial portion of their notices on their own websites. While HB-33 is clearly less comprehensive than the bill passed last year by the Florida legislature, it contains fewer guardrails and hurdles before local governments can alter time-tested systems that provide their citizens with official notice. It also clearly conflicts with measures still on the books in Ohio that require legal notices in newspapers.
Ain’t no sunshine when they meet
David Welton of the South Whidbey Record took first place in a general news photo category in last year’s Better Newspaper Contest for this picture accompanying a story about cannabis use.
The state’s Sunshine Committee has foundered in recent years. Originally charged with reviewing exemptions to the state Public Records Act to see if they still have merit, the committee has mainly failed to interest the Legislature in removing exemptions. The frustraiton has grown to the point where the committee considered disbanding. One member described the effort as a “perpetual task force that goes nowhere.” At a meeting recently, members, still frustrated, agreed to make another run at getting lawmakers to heed the work they do. Members agreed Tuesday to seek greater flexibility on when they meet and the ability to present See PANEL, Page 3
Column retreats from press association partnerships
About a dozen press associations received a bit of a surprise last week when Column, a vendor of statewide public-notice websites, announced it would end its partnerships with state press associations as it pivots to serve individual publishers.
Column is giving its pressassociation clients until May 31, 2024, to find a new vendor. The company recommended that its clients transition to the other major statewide public-notice website vendor — the Illinois Press Association — which Col-
umn called “the best alternative provider of public notice website hosting.” WNPA already contracts with the Illinois Press Association to provide a statewide legals website. Several other vendors also pro-
vide software to power statewide public notice websites, including two — Tecnavia and Newz Group — that service multiple press associations. Column, however, was the only vendor that provided its platform free of charge, leveraging
the deals it cut with press associations — some of which included revenue-sharing arrangements — to help market its public notice platform for publishers. Despite the fact that it offered its statewide-website platform See COLUMN, Page 2
COLUMN: Startup looks FROM THE PRESIDENT to individual publishers Continued from Page 1 for free, growth in that part of Column’s business had stalled. Its last new client was added 12 months ago, and both the Florida Press Association and the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association moved to new website vendors in 2023. The company is presently servicing 13 press associations in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Column is now also providing its public notice platform to county governments in Florida that qualify to publish notices on their website under the state’s new public notice law. Earlier this year, the company announced it wanted to partner with local newspapers to offer counties a “bundle solution” that would allow them to provide notice in print. Their first two clients are Brevard County and Bay County, where Column partnered
with local newspaper companies Hometown News and Neves Publishing to provide notice. Column also recently announced Tampa Bay Times had signed on to offer the bundle solution to Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties. And the company reported it recently inked a deal with DunnRankin Media to target the counties that newspaper firm publishes in. The software firm’s mission is “to make public information systems more valuable, beginning with public notice.” In 2020, it registered with the state of Delaware as a public benefit corporation, a type of for-profit company whose goals include making a positive impact on society. Column was founded in 2019 by Jake Seaton, whose family owned the Manhattan Mercury in Kansas for over a century.
Officers: Donna Etchey, President; Sean Flaherty, 1st Vice President; Matt Winters, 2nd Vice President; Michelle Nedved, Past President. Trustees: Roger Harnack, Teresa Myers, Rudi Alcott, Staci Baird 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: execdirector@wnpa.com Janay Collins, Member Services Director: 360-344-2938. Email: ads@wnpa.com 2 The Washington Newspaper November 2023
Don’t fail to blow your own horn; the story we have is a good one By Donna Etchey Hello and welcome to Fall. I am sure, like me, most of you are concentrating on getting all that Q4 revenue into your papers. I don’t know about you, but businesses seem to be holding tight onto their dollars right now. It has been taking several calls to get a yes or a no. With an unstable economy, wars going on in both Ukraine and Israel, people are just uncertain about what is around the corner and how it will affect their lives. That is why local community newspapers are so important. While the world might seem unstable right now, we are in our hometowns reporting on what is happening in our neck of the woods. Anyone can turn on the T.V., radio or computer and find out about the US economy or the world, but what they will not find is what is happening with their local government, schools, and towns. That is where we come in. Sometimes I think we don’t blast our own horns loudly enough, and do not tell our own stories often enough. We employ local people and support local businesses and events. What are you doing to educate your community about your newspaper and the stories we tell? Like local people doing good deeds, or keeping tabs on local governments? Send me an email.
I would love to share your stories and I am sure others like me Etchey would like to know what you are doing. On to other news, while the attendance was lower than in previous years, the WNPA convention we had in early October featured some great speakers and workshops. I was excited to give out the Master Editor/Publisher award during lunch on Saturday to Scott Hunter. Scott was a member of the WNPA board of directors in a couple of different eras and was president in 2003, and he has published the same newspaper for 30 years. Scott learned all of his considerable journalistic skills on the job after nurturing a desire to become a journalist for many years. In addition to his work as the local editor and reporter for more than three decades, he has long been active in community work and served as the president of the local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. Today, Scott is the sole reporter at his paper, which serves thousands of residents in five towns and still can be regularly found on the sidelines at sports events and at local meetings of councils and
I would love to share stories about what is working with your newspapers. Send me an email at detchey@dailyrecordnews.com. boards. Clearly, in his 30 years at the helm of the Grand Coulee Star, he has worked hard, thought soundly, influenced unselfishly, lived honorably and is entitled to the highest honors and respect of our profession. Kevin Slimp, a nationally recognized and in-demand convention speaker, was one of our presenters. During one of his workshops, I was reminded of how important it is to do focus groups in our communities. They are our chance to hear from our readers and community members on how we are doing and how we can improve ourselves. Bill Ostendorf with Creative Circle Media did a workshop on photos in print and on the web, and he also led a workshop on designing your newspaper. There were several workshops, and I was hoping to bounce from one to another to hear from them all, but once I got wrapped up in one workshop it was hard to break away. The weekend wrapped up with live and silent auctions that raised money for our foundation, which hires interns dur-
ing the legislative season and for summer internships at WNPA member newspapers. Finally, there was the dinner and the much-anticipated awards ceremony. Congratulations to all the winners! In the months ahead, I hope you will let your communities know about your tremendous accomplishments. Have fun covering the holiday events and good luck in getting all those holiday advertisements. Remember, it is not just about making the sale. We educate people to shop locally and support local businesses. Again, I would love to share stories about what is working with your newspapers. Send me an email at detchey@dailyrecordnews.com. Also, remember your association is a source for you. The WNPA staff and the rest of the board are here to assist you and answer any questions you might have. Happy Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all the wonderful and supportive people I have around me. Donna Etchey is the General Manager of the Daily Record in Ellensburg and this year’s WNPA president.
PANEL: Looking for ways to have impact Continued from Page 1
their findings to House and Senate committees before each session. They also will ask for funding to pay for staff to research and prepare analyses on exemptions. Currently, the committee unlike other legislative panels, does not have a staff that helps research and prepare suggestions for action. That task falls to the unpaid comittee members, who all have other responsibilities. Sen. Jeff Wilson, RLongview, a committee member, said he thinks the work of the group is too valuable to abandon. “I am not ready to surrender the ship,” he said. “We want to be heard. The best way to be heard is to get in front of those committees.” Wilson said he’ll draft legislation concerning meeting dates and
Political ad records must be available
Newspapers are required to keep records of published political ads and make those records available for inspection if someone asks to see them. Unlike the requirements for governments under the Public Records Act, you are not required to copy and send people records. You are required only keep records open for public inspection “during normal business hours during the campaign and for a period of no less than five years after the date of the applicable election.”
presentations, and request funding for the panel in next year’s supplemental state budget. The committee also approved a draft of its 2023 report due to lawmakers next month. It contains recommendations on exemptions reviewed this year plus restates suggestions from reports filed the past three years. Linda Krese, the outgoing chair and a former Snohomish County Superior Court judge, said getting the chance to present their ideas directly to lawmakers would be valuable. “I don’t think a lot of people are reading our (annual) report when it goes out,” she said.
WNPA is gearing up for coverage of the state Legislature in January. It’s not too late to support this program with a donation to the WNPA Foundation. You can do that online at wastatejournal.org.
Washington State Archives, Washington State Library, and Legacy Washington
Recording, preserving, and sharing Washington history. • Digitized government records
• Genealogy and history research support • Community digital archives online
• Historic Washington newspapers online • Traveling exhibits and publications
Visit sos.wa.gov for more info.
The Washington Newspaper November 2023 3
MAKE AN
IMPACT IN WASHINGTON STATE
Washington
IMPACTADS
• ImpactAds are small ads placed in community newspapers throughout the state. • You can buy the whole state or target Western or Eastern Washington. • Choose either small display ads or classified word ads. • Deadline is 5 p.m. the Tuesday prior to the week you want the ad to run.
Call today! 360-344-2938 WNPA PO Box 389, Port Townsend, WA 98368 ads@wnpa.com • www.wnpa.com 4 The Washington Newspaper November 2023
READERS 660,000
CIRCULATION 264,000
IDEAL FOR: Festivals Car shows Concerts Recruitment Wineries Resorts
Counties, cities have cash for tourism
Go get your share to bring visitors When you are looking for ways to bring in new revenue, spend a few minutes learning how your WNPA co-op ad network can help your bottom line. People are itching to get out and mingle and community events are filling the streets. But extra effort is necessary these days to let people know your town is open for business and welcoming tourists. Many just trust in online notices, but with ad blocking software and distrust of social media growing, 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 be used 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 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 region-
Continued on Page 7
Ad network: Fairs & fests, golf courses, wineries, resorts all can benefit
STANDARD SIZE
Continued from Page 6 ally 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. • 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 WNPA by emailing ads@wnpa.com or by calling 360-344-2938.
STATEWIDE..................$1,600 WESTERN......................$1,300 EASTERN..........................$700
SUPER SIZE NOTE
Produce ads in two sizes,‘Version A & Version B,’ to accommodate different page sizes.
STATEWIDE..................$3,200 WESTERN......................$2,600 EASTERN.......................$1,400
CLASSIFIEDS
STATEWIDE......................$325
The Washington Newspaper November 2023 5
Hunter: Just glad to have a front row seat
By Scott Hunter Editor & Publisher Grand Coulee Star I was honored and ambivalent at the same time earlier this month to accept the highest honor awarded by the Hunter 136-yearold Washington Newspaper Publishers Association (WNPA) at a time when, more than ever, I’m still trying to figure this business out. Because it’s much more than a business; community newspapering is an
institution and a calling that from the early days of America has been recognized as a big part of what makes this country work. Newspapers were “the power which impels the circulation of political life,” philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in 1835 of the press in America where “there is scarcely a hamlet which has not its own newspaper.” Tocqueville visited the United States back then as a French aristocrat and scholar trying to better understand the revolution called democracy that was sweeping through Europe, where society seemed to be dealing with it less well than we were.
Newspapers, he observed, were central to America’s success not because of its journalists but because of the power they created for their communities simply by their very existence. The press, he wrote, “affords a means of intercourse between parties which hear, and which address each other without ever having been in immediate contact.” In other words, the press has always acted as a kind of sounding board in the middle of the town square, even for those who don’t attend the rally, making “the power of the periodical press … only second to that of the people.”
That power is now challenged by social media in all its evolving forms, which I hope in the long run will be a good thing even if currently it somewhat falsely gives the impression that anyone can tell the world anything instantly. It certainly can feel that way if you post something online and your friends acknowledge it, but even if a newspaper’s role leans more at times toward aggregator than creator of news, the role is still relevant. You know without ever giving it much thought that if information makes it into print, someone thought it was important enough. Not
so much with sharing over social media. Whether that’s enough to allow the continued survival of the remaining three-fourths of the nation’s newspapers that have not gone out of business since 2005 remains to be seen. I said as much in accepting the Miles Turnbull Master Editor/Publisher Award at the WNPA annual convention in Kennewick Oct. 7. Miles used to run the Leavenworth Echo when I started in this business 35 years ago. As Miles would have said, I’m just honored to have had a job that let a regular guy have a front row seat at the community’s stage.
Legals site protects newspapers WNPA, in partnership with Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington, operate a statewide legals website to give easy access to legal advertisements across the state. The site also protects against governments pressing to pull legals from printed newspapers. to this statewide site. This effort will protect legal advertisements in newspapers, but only if newspapers statewide consistently upload their legal advertisements to the site. Questions? Contact WNPA at ads@wnpa. com.
Building Healthier Communities Local newspapers are working to provide access to high quality news coverage. Local dentists are working to provide access to high quality oral health care. We’re both working to build a stronger community. Thank you for everything you do.
wsda.org 6 The Washington Newspaper November 2023
The Washington Newspaper November 2023 7
JOB BOARD AD MANAGER Due to a future retirement, Free Press Publishing is looking for an advertising manager to lead sales operations after the first of the year. The hands-on position requires strong sales, computer and management skills, time management, project planning and the ability to multi-task. The successful candidate will personally handle a local client list, manage preprints and oversee advertising in multiple newspapers and websites in northeast Washington. The position is based at the Cheney Free Press in Cheney, home of Eastern Washington University. Close to Spokane, the area offers the best of nearby city life as well as abundant rural and outdoor opportunities.
Salary is negotiable and includes a base plus commission. We offer six paid holidays per year, sick leave and vacation after a year. Interested sales professionals should submit a cover letter, resume and references to Owner/Publisher Roger Harnack at roger@cheneyfreepress. com. DIGITAL AD DIRECTOR Sound Publishing, Inc. is currently looking for an experienced Digital Advertising Director based daily out of Federal Way Mirror office, in Federal Way, WA. Applicants must have at least four years of relevant sales management experience and excellent marketing skills. The position pays $75,000 base yearly salary with ample bonus oppor-
tunities and a full benefits package. This position is during the day, approximately 40 hrs per week. Start times will be around 8-9 am. The schedule varies and requires flexibility based on vacation coverage and business needs. To apply, please email your application to: careers@soundpublishing. comand be sure to include ATTN:DIGIADDIRECT in the subject line. REPORTER The Okanogan Valley Gazette Tribune, a division of Sound Publishing Inc. is seeking a general assignment reporter with writing experience and photography skills. This position is based out of the Oroville, WA office. This position is part-time (28 hrs/wk) and the schedule may include
some evening and/or weekend work. A minimum of one year of previous newspaper experience is required. Position also requires use of personal vehicle, possession of valid WA State Driver’s License and proof of active vehicle insurance. We offer an hourly wage of $16.50, paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays), and 401K (currently with an employer match.) Email us your cover letter, resume and include five examples of your best work to: careers@ soundpublishing. Be sure to include ATTN: OVGT in the subject line. REPORTER Sound Publishing Inc. is looking for a general assignment reporter to join our award-winning team at
the Whidbey News-Times. This position is based out of our Oak Harbor, WA office. The schedule may require evening and/or weekend work. We are looking for a team player willing to get involved in the local community through the publication of the twice-weekly newspaper. Candidates must have a degree in journalism or a related field and be proficient with AP style. We offer an hourly wage of $18.50 per hour, and a benefits package including health insurance, paid time off (vacation, sick and holidays), and 401K (currently with an employer match.) If you would like to apply, email us your cover letter, resume, and include three examples of your best work showcasing your reporting skills and writing chops with your resume
submission to careers@ soundpublishing.com with a subject line of “Oak Harbor Reporter”. PHOTOGRAPHER The Wenatchee World is seeking a photo editor/ photographer. The newspaper has a history of quality, awardwinning news photography it wishes to continue into the increasingly digital future. Responsibilities include providing interesting, thoughtful photographs that highlight the lives of the people of North Central Washington. The successful applicant will work with reporters to develop ideas to supply photographic content for two news and one sports display page along with special sections and oversee a part-time, weekend Continued on Page 9
With over 60 years of experience, we know journalism. From public records to protecting journalists, from defamation claims to business needs, large and small publishers turn to us. DWT.COM • Anchorage • Bellevue • Los Angeles • New York • Portland • San Francisco • Seattle • Shanghai • Washington D.C.
8 The Washington Newspaper November 2023
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
Continued from Page 8 shift photographer who also helps with special sections. Professional Canon photographic equipment is supplied. Some evening shifts are required depending on assignments. Experience and qualifications include: a Bachelor’s degree in some form of photojournalism or communication, a minimum of two years of experience in news photography, proficiency in Photo Mechanic, Adobe Photoshop and content management systems. The Wenatchee World is owned by Wick Communications, which offers a competitive salary, paid vacations, health benefits, and a 401K. Mileage is reimbursed. Those interested should send a cover letter, resume, and link to portfolio to Managing Editor Nancy Niles: niles@wenatcheeworld.com REPORTER The Leavenworth Echo, a Ward Media publication, is seeking a talented and dedicated reporter to join our team! As a reporter for The Leavenworth Echo, you will cover local events, interviews, and breaking news and become an essential part of the vibrant North Central Washington community. Requirements include strong writing skill, a passion for local news and the ability to meet deadlines and work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Experience in journalism or related fields is a plus. To apply, please send your resume, writing samples, and a brief cover letter explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role to info@ ward.media.
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