PA state police clamp down on release of juvenile names in accidents. 
State police are tightening a regulation that bars troopers from identifying most juvenile victims of traffic accidents, saying "it's the right thing to do" rather than something required by the law.

A department-wide ban on releasing the identities of youths 17 and younger in car accidents, unless they are killed or are charged as adults with a criminal offense, has been in effect for years, said Trooper Linette Quinn, a state police spokeswoman.

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Times Leader change of management
Times Leader Senior Vice President/Editor Allison Walzer left the newspaper's employ Jan. 12. The Times Leader is conducting a search for Walzer's replacement, according to President and Publisher Patrick McHugh.

Walzer had been with the Times Leader since 1980, joining the staff as a reporter after working for the San Francisco Chronicle and New York Daily News.

From The Times Leader, Jan. 13

Scaife makes $1 million donation  
The billionaire owner of a newspaper chain and his wife have donated $1 million to Catholic Relief Services for the organization's tsunami rescue and rehabilitation effort, the charity said.

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Tsunami Roundup
In the aftermath of the Asian tsunami disaster, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association will be collecting and publishing the following items from member papers:

Tsunami coverage. Send your front pages!

Special relief efforts. We're interested in what your paper has done to support tsunami victims. 

These items will be published on the PNA Web site so that members can be recognized.

To ensure that the PNA includes your coverage and/or relief efforts, send items to ericas@pa-news.org with the subject line "Tsunami Roundup."

FINAL CALL: Newspaper Excellence in Cyberspace competition
Calling all last minute entries for the Newspaper Excellence in Cyberspace competition! Here's your chance to get your paper's Web site the recognition it deserves. No site is too small. Awards will be presented at New Media World in Hershey, Pa.
Deadline is right now: Jan. 15, 2005.

[CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS]

Former U.S. Congressman, James Greenwood, set to speak at 2005 Government Affairs Conference.
PNA’s 18th Annual Government Affairs Conference has been attracting an impressive list of speakers and panelists. Keynote speaker for the dinner on Feb. 1 will be James Greenwood, president, Biotechnology Industry Organization and former PA congressman.

[CLICK HERE FOR GREENWOOD BIO]

Catch Greenwood and others, such as Gov. Ed Rendell, Feb. 1-2 at The Harrisburg Hilton and Towers for the PNA Government Affairs Conference. The full schedule is now posted, along with details on hotel reservations and directions.

[CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS]

Display Advertising Contest under way.
Attention display advertising managers and Staff!
See where you rank. Enter the 2005 PNA/IAMA Display Advertising Contest. Deadline is Feb. 7, 2005. 

Don't miss this opportunity to find out how your display ads compare to other entries. For rules and information: [CLICK HERE]

World Affairs Journalism Fellowship
Calling all editors, senior reporters, commentary writers and other newspaper "gatekeepers" from U.S. community-based daily newspapers. The International Center for Journalists announces the World Affairs Journalism Fellowship program. The program gives newspaper professionals the opportunity to travel abroad to report on stories that impact their local communities. 

Here's your opportunity to get the best of both worlds: travel abroad and report on stories that matter in your community. For full details, visit:  http://www.icfj.org/worldaffairs.html

Islamic roundtable discussion Feb. 11
The PNA Foundation is offering a free roundtable discussion with reporters, editors, editorial writers and a Fulbright scholar with expertise in Islamic issues and the Middle East. This is the perfect chance to get some background on covering the Islamic community in your circulation area.

[CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON PRE-REGISTRATION]

Keystone Press Awards deadline approaching.
Now accepting entries for the 2005 Keystone Press Awards Contest. Rules and information regarding the contest are being mailed but can also be downloaded at http://www.pa-newspaper.org/foundation/Contest/keystone/keystones.htm. 

Deadline is right around the corner: Jan. 28, 2005.

From the Hotline: 
The Pennsylvania State Police are refusing to release the identities of any juveniles who are involved in or witnesses to car accidents. Can they do that?

Teri Henning, PNA's media law counsel, discusses whether or not this is consistent with the Public's Right to Know.

Use this link to visit the Headlines & Deadlines page which groups and archives Teri Henning's weekly 'From the Hotline' columns. 

Pennsylvania editors asked to contribute to Sunshine Sunday and Sunshine Week  
Editors in Pennsylvania are being asked to publish articles, cartoons and editorials about the public’s right to government information as part of national Sunshine Sunday, March 13, and Sunshine Week.

The goal is to explain why open government is important to everyone, not just to journalists.

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Newspapers Reach Opinion Leaders  
Randy Hines, professor at Susquehanna University, emphasizes the importance of newspapers in providing information to opinion leaders. He highlights five relationship rules that editors can follow to be better leaders in the newsroom as well as a better members of society.

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