Midyear is an excellent time to evaluate 2026 goals and strategies. Navigate priorities on the editorial calendar, especially as election season picks up. Track revenues and explore additional advertising and circulation opportunities.

A city council approves tax incentives for a shopping center after a months-long process that generates intense emotions from proponents and opponents alike.

The months-long election season is taxing enough as newsrooms stretch resources to monitor candidates and campaigns in addition to delivering everyday reports. All aspects of election coverage are put under the microscope. Fairness and consistency are paramount in today’s supercharged political environment.

Election season is under way. Many would say the cycle never ends. No sooner are votes tallied than strategists eye the next election. Make no mistake, many lawmakers routinely cast votes with one eye on policy and one eye on politics, especially if they are in swing districts.

Editors are regularly solicited to publish news that puts merchants in good standing. In small communities, grip-and-grin photos of check presentations often dominate the requests. The topic generated a healthy conversation in an editors’ hotline during the holiday season of charitable giving.

Local governments are putting the finishing touches on 2026 operations as this year nears a close. Budgets and tax levies have been presented to citizens, debated and adopted.

Any examination of local public affairs coverage typically focuses on meetings of government bodies. And for good reason. That’s where votes are taken and policies enacted that affect citizens’ everyday lives.

The Trump Administration continues its assault on free speech. Among the latest examples is the Defense Department’s edict that journalists who cover the Pentagon can no longer gather or report information, even if unclassified, unless authorized for release by the government. Reporters who don’t sign a statement agreeing to the new rules will have press credentials revoked.

Interviewing reporter applicants was among my most tedious tasks when sitting behind the editor’s desk. It also was a most important responsibility. Selecting the strongest individuals would save headaches down the line.

The Hallmark Channel has just wrapped up its movie lineup for those who love to celebrate Christmas in July. It serves as an excellent reminder to start planning keepsake year-end editions. Seize the opportunity to produce solid content and generate revenue.

Anyone who has edited or published a community newspaper knows the most challenging and, often, agonizing part of the job is dealing with sensitive issues. I dealt with many issues like this during my career as an editor, and wished there was some type of guidance...

I would like to thank Jim for contributing to the success of our first virtual convention. He delivered an engaging, well presented, and valuable online workshop for our membership! We had great attendance and I think that everyone took away a vast amount of...