The last several days, journalists have been risking their lives to report on the ground at the scenes of protests across the country in response to the death of George Floyd. We call on local law enforcement and government officials to recognize the importance of their role and ensure their safety during these dangerous and unpredictable events.

Also view guidance from Seyfarth Shaw for newspapers that plan to provide PPE (such as hard hats and glasses) to journalists covering protests, as well as a guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press that is designed to help journalists understand their rights at protests and avoid arrest when reporting on these events. more

Yesterday, McClatchy began offering a weekly livestream series, "COVID-19-Bending the Curve."  Every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. EDT, the series will bring together top medical professionals, industry experts, patient advocates and policymakers who will update audiences throughout the country on the latest advancements to combat the virus.  more

This ambitious project involving USA TODAY and Gannett’s 260 daily local news sites will give a coast-to-coast view of the country’s “new economic normal,” as told through the industries powering the national, regional and local economies. Stories are now running on Gannett-owned digital sites and will appear in print editions on May 31 with a nationwide narrative of what consumers, companies and taxpayers can expect as the American economy begins to accelerate again. more

News Nirvana, a new service from TownNews, identifies news deserts, partners with capable local publishers and editors, and provides them with the tools, resources and consulting to make their new digital news initiatives successful. Qualifying news start-ups will be equipped with a mobile-friendly website that includes robust editorial tools, subscription/membership support, detailed site analytics and more. more

Sharing election coverage online can feel like a huge task, especially after spending all the time before the election writing voter guides and figuring out what you’re going to focus on as a newsroom. That doesn’t mean digital strategy should go by the wayside. To reach a potentially untapped audience for election coverage, you have to strategize. more

In a first-person account in yesterday's newspaper, Tricia Dunne, publisher of the Fort Payne (Alabama) Times-Journal, wrote about her family's experience with COVID-19, emphasizing the need for everyone to learn to "live smart and to protect ourselves, our family and everyone around us." Both she and her husband tested positive, but COVID-19 affected them both very differently. more

Julie Bechtel, formerly executive vice president of BH Media Group, has been named publisher of the Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald, while Todd Sears, who previously held that position, becomes World-Herald general manager. Bechtel’s previous role included oversight of The World-Herald. more

In this article by Kat Duncan, interim director of innovation with the Reynolds Journalism Institute, find five tips to get newsrooms started with voice-activated devices for storytelling. more

Second Street, an audience engagement software platform used by more than 4,000 media companies, is moving its 7th annual Summit from a two-day conference to a free, month-long virtual series starting June 2. more

Rana Cash has been named news director of the Savannah (Georgia) Morning News, becoming the first African American to lead the Savannah newsroom in the publication’s 170-year history. more

With over three decades of experience in print and digital journalism, Anne Brennan, the former editorial leader at the MetroWest Daily News, has been named executive editor of the Cape Cod Times in Hyannis, Massachusetts. more

This year's awards spotlighted high-impact, investigative and accountability journalism that revealed local government corruption, the failure of the nation's foster care system, overcrowding and violence in a local jail and the injustice of an underfunded and understaffed public defenders system in Missouri.  more

The Meridian (Mississippi) Star reported this week that its publisher, Bill Atkinson, has departed the newspaper to devote more of his time to sister newspapers in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. more

Brian Colligan, an award-winning journalist with more than two decades of newspaper experience, has been named the opinion editor of The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) and Daily Press in Newport News. more

McClatchy has announced the promotion of Stephanie Pedersen to president and editor of The (Tacoma) News Tribune and Washington State regional editor of McClatchy's four newsrooms comprising The News Tribune, The Olympian, The Bellingham Herald and the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick. Pedersen will also serve as president of The Olympian, and begin in her new role at the end of June when she relocates to Tacoma. more

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated has announced that Wynn Christian has been named president and director of local sales and marketing for the company’s Alabama region. more

The Gazette in Colorado Springs is generating added revenue, while allowing families to recognize their soon-to-to-be graduates with personalized messages. Inspired by what the paper is doing in the community, a local business also has stepped forward and offered to sponsor 75 graduates. more

With the help of Creative Circle Media Solutions, two small, rural towns in South Dakota have avoided becoming a news desert. The weekly Kingsbury Journal published its first issue this week, staffed by volunteers who are learning what it takes to publish a weekly newspaper. more

In addition to its earlier announcement that it is expanding into Greenville, South Carolina, The Post and Courier in Charleston has announced plans to launch a modern news operation in Myrtle Beach, later this summer. At a time when newspapers across the country are scaling back, The Post and Courier will hire reporters and editors to provide the kind of quality news and information the Myrtle Beach community deserves. more

Shane Fitzgerald, executive editor of the Bucks County Courier Times and The Intelligencer in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and sub-regional editor for the former GateHouse Atlantic Region, will take on a broader role for the USA Today Network, serving as Gannett’s Pennsylvania editor. more