Al Dia unveils Spanish-language journalism awards contest
On Oct. 15 the Al Dia Foundation of Philadelphia unveiled the "Felix Varela y Morales" Annual Awards for Excellence in Spanish-Language Journalism.

The Foundation named the award after Father Felix Varela y Morales, a resident of Philadelphia in the 19th Century, because of his intellect as a writer, entrepreneurship as a newspaper editor and publisher in Philadelphia and New York, and his commitment in the defense of poor immigrants, at his time pouring into New York City mostly from Ireland and Italy to escape poverty and hunger in their homeland.

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PASSOPENRECORDS.ORG: Blog for open records!

Times-Tribune: Work on Open Records Law progresses

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Herald-Standard: Senators support open records changes

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Tribune-Review: Lawmakers pledge expanded access to records

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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Bills aim to open public records

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For more open records editorials, visit: passopenrecords.org

From the Legal Hotline:
With hunting season quickly approaching, our newspaper is routinely getting ads for gun sales. Can we run those types of ads?

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Use this link to visit the PNA Legal Department's archive of "From the Legal Hotline" columns.  

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Pocono Business Journal announces Burke as full-time editor
Pocono Business Journal, East Stroudsburg, recently announced the hiring of Debbie Burke as full-time editor for the newspaper.

Burke brings over 15 years of experience in communications, including print production, graphic arts, public affairs, public relations, advertising and publishing. She has also worked as a probation officer for the City of New York and in the education division at the former Hayden Planetarium.

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Bucks County Courier Times sports writer, editor retires
The week of Sept. 15 marked the official end of Raymond DiLissio’s career as long-time sports writer and assistant sports editor of the Bucks County Courier Times, Levittown. He retired at he age of 65.

DiLissio made significant contributions to the newspaper since 1963, working there for 44 years.

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Former Patriot-News copy editor Baden dies at 85
Leon I. Baden, 85, of Hampden Twp., died Oct. 12, at Select Specialty Hospital in Camp Hill, Pa.

He began his career at the Hazleton Standard-Speaker, went on to work at The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News, then four years at the Toledo Blade and later returned to The Patriot-News, where he retired in 2000 as a copy editor at age 78, with 41 years of service.

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Journal Register CEO Jelenic, on medical leave, resigns
Newspaper publisher Journal Register Co. said Oct. 12 that its chairman and chief executive, who had been on medical leave since June, has resigned.

Robert M. Jelenic, 57, will step down effective Nov. 1. He will be replaced by James W. Hall, a director who became acting CEO shortly after Jelenic took a medical leave on June 8 for cancer treatment.

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Close Game. Winning Lineup.
PNA 83rd Annual Convention: Oct. 24-26
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey, Pa.

Niche Publications: Specialty publications are becoming more popular and profitable for newspapers. Peter Vandevanter, vice president of targeted products for Media News Group, is an industry expert on this topic.

It’s the bottom of the ninth, but it’s not too late to register to attend this session and more at next week’s Convention! For more information on convention sessions, events and registration:

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And, don’t forget...a block of spa appointments has been reserved for your spouse or special guest. Phone the Hershey Spa directly at (717) 520-5888 to make your reservation. For more information:

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PNA Annual General Membership Meeting
Oct. 25, 8:30 a.m.
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey, Pa.
Come learn about PNA's latest plans and accomplishments. Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. and the meeting will commence at 8:30 a.m.

Please RSVP to Rae Elise Williard at (717) 703-3062 or raeelisew@pa-news.org if you plan to attend.

PNA would like to make the following announcements:

Dible to be recognized with Lifetime Achievement Award

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Patriot-News staff, Murphy, Staudenmaier earn Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence

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Morning Call to be honored with G. Richard Dew Award

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York Daily Record/Sunday News wins Public Service Award

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PNA Foundation reveals 2007 Newspaper of the Year winners

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2007 Reader Initiative Award honors member newspapers

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Foundation Update: Executive Training Network
PNA's annual Executive Training Network program is scheduled to take place Feb. 3-8, 2008. This time around we are going with a different, more boot camp-like format, offering back to back, consecutive days of valuable sessions and plenty of opportunities for discussion between attendees.

Perhaps you are a rising star in your organization or know of someone who would benefit greatly from this intensive course? Taught by leading experts from papers throughout Pennsylvania, the program is geared at managers from all departments including editorial, advertising and circulation. Please keep an eye out for registration materials coming soon. In the meantime, please contact Lauren Lee at (717) 703-3002 or laurenl@pa-news.org with questions or if you need additional information.

Oct. 24: Power Pricing for Newspapers - Hershey
Internationally-renowned newspaper consultant, Len Kubas, will share successful strategies for adding value to your current advertising packages.

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Oct. 31: Noontime Update - Dollars, Cents and Schools - via audio conference
Dial in to hear David “Chip” Brightbill, former State Senator and Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania State Senate, discusses the issues surrounding school funding and property taxes affecting Pennsylvanians everywhere.

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Nov. 12: PNA on the Road - Lehigh Valley
For $15 per person, you can’t afford to miss this full-day seminar offering something for reporters, editors, advertising staff and circulation professionals. REGISTER TODAY!

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Nov. 14-15: APME/NewsTrain - Hackensack, N.J.
Learn how to become a more effective editor through two days of training in online, editing and management.

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Nov. 28: Sports - Harrisburg
Join an all-star line-up including Naka Nathaniel, multimedia editor for the New York Times, Malcolm Moran, Director of Penn State’s John Curley Center for Sports Journalism and Paul Vigna, sports editor for the Philadelphia Daily News.

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Dec. 7: The No Fear Guide to Embracing Multimedia Techniques - Harrisburg
Mindy McAdams, author of "Flash Journalism: How to Create Multimedia Packages," will walk participants through the process of producing winning audio, video and slideshow packages.

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House passes federal shield law
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 398-21 to pass a federal shield law for the first time ever.

For the first time ever, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation that will protect journalists from being compelled to testify or reveal sources in court.

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Study: Journalism industry recovery beginning to level off
The job market is flattening and benefits packages are declining for journalism and mass communication graduates entering the work force. The downturn ends two years of industry recovery, according to the 2006 Annual Survey of Journalism and Mass Communication Graduates conducted at the James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research at the University of Georgia.

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Gannett and Tribune will publish new 'USA Today Abroad'
Gannett Co. said Oct. 1 it has joined with Tribune Co. to publish and syndicate a weekly edition of USA Today outside the United States.

Gannett, which publishes USA Today, the highest-selling U.S. daily newspaper, will produce the eight-page broadsheet called USA Today Abroad. It will contain primarily feature stories from the previous week's daily version.

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