News

Speidel nominated to take leadership of NDNA board
Karen Speidel, editor of the Hankinson News-Monitor, has been nominated for election to the presidency of NDNA.

Newspaper of the Week popular at capitol
Each week a different newspaper is featured, bringing copies of the latest edition that are distributed to all legislators as well as to the governor, attorney general and others. It's a way for NDNA members to stay visible as legislators debate issues that sometimes have direct impact on the work newspapers do week in and week out.

NDNA Media Guide and Data Kit cover contest winners
NDNA members submitted 36 photos in the annual competition to select photos for the covers of the 2019 North Dakota Media Guide and the Newspaper Rate and Data Kit.

Newspaper of the Week: 2019 Legislative Session
Each week of the 2019 Session of the North Dakota Legislature one newspaper will be designated Newspaper of the Week. During the week, copies of that newspaper will be distributed to all members of the Legislature as well as to various state agency offices.

It's another record for Foundation grants
For the first time, the annual grant program of the NDNA Education Foundation will exceed $100,000. The 2019 grant package is mixed with tried and true programs like internships and the State Spelling Bee as well as new programs like a Grand Forks Herald public reporting project and a student news writing competition.

Forum editor appointed to seat on NDNA Board of Directors
Matthew Von Pinnon, editor of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, has been appointed to a seat on the board of directors of NDNA. He replaces Matt McMillan, who resigned after taking a newspaper job in Minnesota. Von Pinnon has worked at The Forum for 24 years, the last 12 as editor.

Learning opps aplenty this fall
This year's Witham Symposium on Excellence in Newspapers has something for anyone and a lot for everyone. The symposium will be held Oct. 18-19 at the Bismarck Public School's Career Academy at Bismarck State College.

Opponents line up against costly tariffs
In North Dakota, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and Rep. Kevin Cramer have signed on as co-sponsors of bills to provide relief to newspapers whose costs have dramatically increased as a result of newsprint tariffs. In addition, 19 members of Congress testified at the International Trade Commission's hearing last month in opposition to the newsprint tariffs. NDNA is a member of the STOPP Coalition, a national group fighting the tariffs.

NDNA hosts debate just as Senate election nears
Just as the election campaign enters its final stages, NDNA will host a debate between U.S.Senate candidates Heidi Heitkamp and Kevin Cramer. The debate is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 at the Bismarck Public School's Career Academy at Bismarck State College.

Committee focusing on transparency
The NDNA Government Relations Committee will focus on transparency issues when it convenes Friday, July 13 in Bismarck. At the top of the committee's agenda is discussion of a bill draft that would give counties the option of publishing their minutes online rather than in newspapers. There also are several other matters that threaten to chip away at government transparency, said Committee Chairman Tom Monilaws, general manager of the Traill County Tribune in Mayville.