Al Smith. Tim Kelly. David Hawpe. Kentucky has lost three journalism giants in 2021

Three stalwarts of Kentucky newspaper history have passed away in 2021. Al Smith passed away March 19. Tim Kelly died May 3. And Monday morning brought news that David Hawpe passed away Sunday evening. Al and David both served as President of the Kentucky Press Association. And while Tim didn’t serve on the board, he did allow several employees to […]

News and Ad contests materials finalized; it’s already posted and ready for you to begin

84 days until entry deadline. Don’t delay. Start today.   Materials for the KPA News Contest and the KPA Ad Contest have been completed and access to the online contest materials is now available. Go to www.newspapercontest.com/kentucky First, READ the basic instructions and please read closely the very first line. It gives you the “Association Code” that you must enter […]

KPA to begin new era in news sharing with Board’s approval of AP StoryShare

Training sessions available in mid-August to introduce StoryShare to all KPA members About 16 months ago, the Kentucky Press Association shuttered one of its most popular services, the Kentucky Press News Service. Just over 10 years old at the time, the expenses to operate this “free” member service put it to the point that the decision was made to stop […]

KPA Past President, former Courier-Journal editor David Hawpe dies at 78

Led newspapers to win 4 Pulitzer Prizes By Andrew Wolfson Former Courier Journal editor David Hawpe, an unapologetic liberal who championed school reform, working people and his beloved Eastern Kentucky in 40 years at the Louisville newspapers, has died. He was 78. His death Sunday night was confirmed on Facebook by his sister-inlaw, Hilda Miller, and his close friend and […]

N.C. family with seven decades of courage, integrity and tenacity honored with Tom and Pat Gish Award

By Al Cross, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues A family that has demonstrated courage, integrity and tenacity at its twice-weekly newspaper in North Carolina over three generations is the winner of the 2021 Tom and Pat Gish Award from the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, based at the University of Kentucky. The Thompson-High family has owned […]

Taylor Hayes selected as Christian County Chamber president

By Jennifer P. Brown, hoptownchronicle.org Reprinted with permission of Jennifer P Brown, hoptownchronicle.org Taylor Wood Hayes, the former publisher of the Kentucky New Era, became the new president and CEO of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce on Friday, July 2. Hayes served as president of KPA in 2008 and remains a member of the KPA Legal Defense Fund committee. […]

Mike Alexieff returns to Kentucky, as a publisher with Paxton Media

From the Madisonville Messenger Paxton Media Group, parent company of the The Messenger, has named longtime journalist and former editor of the paper Mike Alexieff regional publisher. Currently publisher of Paxton’s newspapers in Middle Tennessee, Alexieff’s new responsibilities will include not only The Messenger, but also the Kentucky New Era in Hopkinsville. In announcing the promotion, Paxton Media Group Publisher […]

Cantwell, Kelly, Wyden introduce legislation to revive, sustain trusted local news

Cantwell: “Local news is about holding the powerful accountable.” Pandemic and economic crisis batter newsrooms at a time Americans need them most. A one-pager with details about the bill can be found HERE. Cantwell’s report on local journalism can be found HERE. WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Local Journalism […]

Special projects energize staff, community

By Jim Pumarlo Jim Pumarlo is former editor of the Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle. He writes, speaks and provides training on community newsroom success strategies. He is author of “Journalism Primer: A Guide to Community News Coverage,” “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues […]