AP photographer Nick Ut, who retired in 2017 after a 51-year career with The Associated Press, received the National Medal of Arts Jan. 13 at the White House. He is the first journalist to receive the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government. more

Kevin Warren has been named publisher of The Natchez (Mississippi) Democrat, Natchez the Magazine, Brookhaven Daily Leader, Brookhaven Magazine, the Prentiss Headlight and related digital and print products. more

The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Award recognizes outstanding news coverage that promotes transparent, accountable government. Applications are due by Feb. 26 and there is no fee to enter. more

Jim Gouvellis, the former executive editor of the Sun Newspapers in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, has been named publisher of the Clermont News Leader in Lake County. more

Pat Dorsey has been appointed to the Board of Directors of America's Newspapers to fill the unexpired term of Bill Barker, who stepped down from the board after leaving Gannett. In other news, America's Newspapers welcomes two new newspaper members.  more

There have been multiple reports that there may be protests or violent encounters at state capitols this weekend and next week.  Your top priority should be keeping your news staff safe throughout the coverage. Poynter has issued a good set of guidelines, which it published during protests and riots over the summer. Here are the guidelines provided by Al Tompkins with Poynter. more

A trio of Gannett publications tucked into North Carolina’s Piedmont area – The Times-News in Burlington, The Courier-Tribune in Asheboro and The Dispatch in Lexington — recently underwent some leadership changes.  more

In RJI Fellow Melba Newsome’s (a North Carolina editor) latest post, she talks about the importance of tracking the sourcing and how it can help keep newsrooms accountable. Without tracking, it becomes easy to not do it. She shares examples of what a few newsroom partners she’s working with are doing. more

Alan Davis will be retiring at the end of the week after five and a half years in charge of The Daily Tribune News (Cartersville, Georgia) and Chatsworth Times. Group Publisher Jack McNeely will oversee the operations at The Daily Tribune News and its other publications. more

Granite Publications has acquired the assets of three Texas weekly newspaper operations: The Fort Stockton Pioneer, the Madisonville Meteor and the Sealy News. more

John Bridges has announced plans to retire in March from the Austin American-Statesman, and the news organization named a respected industry leader to succeed him. Bridges will leave the Statesman after 32 years; he currently serves as executive editor. more

What happened in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday was anarchy. It was sedition. It was as close to a coup d'etat as we have ever seen in this nation. Make no mistake. President Donald Trump was responsible. (CNHI editorial) READ A COLLECTION OF EDITORIALS from across the country more

Seyfarth Shaw's team of industry-leading employment attorneys has developed Seyfarth's State COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Map, which provides links on state vaccination plans, including executive summaries, full vaccine plans where available, and other updates and sources. more

Ray Rivera is leaving his position as managing editor for The Seattle Times to move to Oklahoma City to become executive editor of The Oklahoman. He also will serve as regional editor for the USA TODAY Network’s Sunbelt region, which includes Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico. more

The Jan. 31 deadline for the $25,000 Collier Prize for State Government Accountability is fast approaching! The prize will honor the best in statehouse reporting during 2020. more

Production operations, including printing of the 151-year-old newspaper, will be split between facilities in Indianapolis and Knoxville, Tennessee. more

In her new role, Colleen McCain Nelson will lead McClatchy's newsroom in Sacramento and oversee all California newsrooms, including The Fresno Bee, The Modesto Bee, The Tribune in San Luis Obispo and the Merced Sun-Star. McCain Nelson was previously McClatchy opinion editor and editorial page editor for The Kansas City Star. more

The Final Rule published Thursday, Jan. 7, in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Labor with regard to "Employee or Independent Contractor Classification" uses an "economic reality" test to determine a worker's status. It is currrently scheduled to become effective March 8, 2021. The Final Rule considers whether a worker is in business for himself or herself (independent contractor) or is instead economically dependent on an employer for work (employee). more

Times Publishing will eliminate 150 jobs and sell its St. Petersburg production center. Most remaining employees will see temporary pay cuts of 10 percent for up to six months. more

This position will fill the unfulfilled term of a publication member, with a term of service through October 2022.  There may also be additional board openings this October. more