Legislative leaders, informative speakers and engaging topics -- that's what we have planned for the Government Affairs Conference next week. Now we need you -- Pennsylvania's newspaper editors and publishers and your legislators -- to sign up!

Plan to attend the annual Government Affairs Banquet with your legislators, attend sessions and lunch with Col. David Hackworth Jan. 27. The following day, more sessions are planned, including the lively debates between party leaders as they discuss their plans for the year.

Bruce Katz, vice-president, The Brookings Institution, and director, Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, will now be speaking at the Government Affairs Banquet Jan. 27. Katz will discuss a recent report contending that the economic future of PA depends upon revitalizing our demographic mix and curbing sprawl while embracing a dynamic new plan of economic competitiveness.

Registrations are still being accepted, but you must pre-register to attend.

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PNA's top senior carrier, two years running, takes top national honors from NAA

Brittany Selman was chosen as one of three Newspaper Association of America Carriers of the Year and honored during the NAA's Marketing Conference Jan. 18-20 in San Diego, Calif. Selman, a carrier for Calkins Media's Bucks County Courier Times,  took top honors in the NAA's youth category.

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Former Pennsylvania newspaper publishers die

Hamilton B. Allen, 95, once the publisher of a eastern Pennsylvania daily, died Jan. 1, 2004, in Rochester, N.Y. 

Allen spent 28 years with the Times-Union in Rochester, a daily that folded in 1997, as a reporter, editor and movie and drama critic. In the 1930s, Allen and his wife, Mary, moved to Pennsylvania, where he was co-publisher and editor of the Easton Plain Dealer. 

H. Robert Jacobs Sr., 78, of Mays Landing, died Jan. 4, 2004, in Philadelphia. Jacobs was the publisher of the former Guide Newspapers of Philadelphia, which ceased publication in 2001. The company's Kensington Guide, Bridesburg Guide, Penn Treaty Guide, Port Richmond Guide and Harrowgate/Juniata Guide had a combined weekly circulation of more than 40,000.

Patriot-News announces changes in features department 
The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News announced this week that Arthi Subramaniam, formerly a copy editor with the paper, has been named arts and entertainment editor. Subramaniam spent the past four years with the Boston Globe. Her experience also includes a stint with the Centre Daily Times in State College in the 1990s.

Francesca Chapman, a Philadelphia Daily News veteran, was named film and theater critic for The Patriot-News. She replaces Sharon Johnson , who died in October.

Editor opines on Supreme Court ruling 
Bob Charlanza of the Eastern Pocono Community News related how citizens -- not just the media -- were victims of the Supreme Court decision against Philadelphia reporters Mark Bowden and Linn Washington in regard to the Pennsylvania Shield Law.

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Just the FAQs: Questions about youth newspaper carriers
Teri Henning, PNA's Media Law Counsel, addresses common concerns regarding the use of youth carriers.

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The deadline is Jan. 30 for the Keystone Press Awards Contest

Entries are due Jan. 30 for the annual Keystone Press Awards. Contest rules were sent out in December and are posted here and here. New for this year, series and special projects are separate categories for dailies.

Lee's Pennsylvania newspaper is The Sentinel in Carlisle.
 

Ohio paper's future uncertain as Gannett won't extend JOA 
Gannett notified The Cincinnati Post on Jan. 16 that it won't extend their joint operating agreement beyond 2007, leaving the afternoon newspaper with an uncertain future. 

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British publisher announces deal to take control of Hollinger Inc. 
A British newspaper company announced a deal Jan. 18 with embattled press baron Conrad Black to take over his controlling interest in Hollinger Inc., the Toronto-based parent company of newspaper publisher Hollinger International Inc. 

News of the deal came just a day after Hollinger International said it was removing Black as chairman and suing him to recover more than $200 million the company claims was improperly diverted to him, an associate and entities he controls. 

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Slight ad revenue increase contributes to 2 percent earnings gain by Knight Ridder 
Knight Ridder, the nation's second-largest newspaper publisher, reported a 2 percent increase in fourth quarter earnings Jan. 20 as advertising revenues edged up 0.3 percent.

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