Post-Gazette lawsuit questions WVU phone records
Attorneys for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette want to question West Virginia University administrators under oath about why the university has not produced departing President Mike Garrison's telephone records and why it withheld and removed portions of other documents the newspaper requested under the state's open records law.

Attorneys also will ask for the identities of individuals involved in preparing the university's response to the newspaper's Freedom of Information Act requests, including those who determined which documents should be withheld or edited.

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Lebanon Daily News gets newsier looking Web site
Lebanon Daily News' Web site, www.LDNews.com, has gotten a makeover. It's been revamped to give Web surfers more news through a more accessible layout.

One of the major changes was that the Web site was widened to 1,024 pixels from its previous 800-pixel width. This allows for larger ads and more enriched content, such as national stories from The Associated Press, news updates and breaking-news videos.

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AP Business News is realigned around 12 core beats
The Associated Press this week realigned its Business News department around 12 core beats headed by 12 editors who will now lead coverage by the teams of reporters newly assigned to the beats.

“Our goal is to improve everything we do so we can be more successful in an increasingly competitive market for business news,” said Business Editor Hal Ritter. “Building these beats will allow us to deepen our coverage of spot news, break more news and produce more outstanding enterprise.”

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Journal Register investor may cancel $25 mln offer
An investor who offered $25 million to bail out Journal Register Co. said he is can no longer guarantee his offer after the ailing U.S. newspaper publisher failed to follow up.

"Although we met briefly ... I have had no substantive discussions with either you, your investment banker, or the lending institutions and their representatives," Richard Barone, chairman of Ancora Capital, wrote to Journal Register Chief Executive James Hall in a letter sent on July 14, and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchanges Commission on July 15.

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Foundation Update: Fall training is right around the corner
Summer is quickly whittling away, and that means it's time to start planning for the fall. Our fall training calendar truly includes something for everyone in the newspaper industry. Take a look at a few of the highlights.

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From the Legal Hotline:
Stay tuned for a new hotline question next week.

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

[HOTLINE ARCHIVE]

Classroom election materials now available
The PNA Foundation and the state Newspapers in Education (NIE) Committee are proud to provide schools with a quality classroom guide to the election. The Let's Take a Vote 2008 kit is an all-encompassing kit that is ideal for several different grade levels. Teachers can choose from a variety of themes and different modules that can enhance the election experience for kids.

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Attention NIE managers, educators:
2008 Election NIEshop, Act 48 hours provided
Educators and NIE managers are invited to a 2008 Election NIEshop on Wednesday, July 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The professional development session will be of particular interest to NIE managers, middle and high school social studies, economics and government teachers. Act 48 hours are provided.

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LAST CHANCE! Newspaper Carrier of the Year
Deadline to enter: July 18
Attention newspaper carriers! It's time to recognize our newspaper carriers through the Newspaper Carrier of the Year program. This popular statewide contest has helped newspapers recognize exemplary newspaper carriers and emphasize the positive points of the carrier distribution system. Contest materials have been mailed, and you can also download them online:

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Newspaper of the Year Contest
Deadline to enter: July 28
Get your paper's outstanding work recognized! This annual contest is designed to give your newspaper the opportunity to showcase the efforts of your entire staff. Plus, every entry receives written comments from the judges. Critiques are a valuable tool for improving your product, an essential goal in retaining readers and securing new readership. Enter today -- what do you have to lose?

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Reader Initiative Award
Deadline to enter: Aug. 15
This award honors Pennsylvania newspapers that accept the challenge and create a community of readers through innovative initiatives. First awarded in 2006, the Readership Initiative Award was developed by the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association (PNA) Foundation's Youth and New Readership Committee.

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Attention editors: Online mock election - 'Let Students Voice Their Choice'
"Let Students Voice Their Choice" is an excellent opportunity for PNA member newspapers to help teachers educate their students about democracy through a practical application of the election process online. Editors, learn more about what this project can do for your newspapers.

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July 24: How to Get Your Newspaper Noticed & Included in a Media Buy - video teleconference
Pick me, pick me! Join us for a live video teleconference featuring Jane Hungarter, PNA's VP of marketing and communications. Bone up on your media buy decision-making, including learning about the competition's strengths and weaknesses.

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Aug. 7: Online Streetfighter Workshop - Pittsburgh
Mike Blinder, online sales guru for newspapers and media companies worldwide, will give you tips for proven multimedia pricing and packaging strategies. Ad reps, you won't want to miss this learning opportunity for maximizing online advertising revenue.

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Aug. 18-22: New Reporters Boot Camp - Harrisburg
Calling all editorials staffers and staffers-to-be! Enlist for basic training from seasoned journalists and industry experts.

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Sept. 2: Prayer, Politics, Pretzels: Covering Faith in PA - Harrisburg
Calling all reporters, editors and producers who want to learn how to better report on the faith factor. Topics will include religion and politics, religion and popular culture and developing the local story that includes the big picture.

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Sept. 10-12: Fall Circulation Training - Harrisburg
If you're a district sales manager, regional zone supervisor, marketing and promotion manager or circulation manager, this is training designed especially for you. Veteran circulation directors and managers will show you how to improve your performance and give you new perspectives on the circulation profession.

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Sept. 25: PNA On the Road - Wilkes-Barre
Learn everything you ever wanted to know about revenue generation in tough times -- all for only $15!

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Oct. 6: Private Companies: Reporting, Research & Multimedia Coverage - Harrisburg
Need to spruce up your skills on writing effectively about private companies and their financials? Could your multimedia storytelling use some work as well? Also catch a special national research report on private and minority business coverage.

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Oct. 30-31, Nov. 7, 14, 21: Executive Training Network - Harrisburg
Calling all managers! Learn from experienced Pennsylvania newspaper executives, with sessions covering: Executive Decision Making, Changing Media Environment, Leadership, Marketing, Strategic Alliances and Financial Strategies.

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Few print readers use local newspaper Web sites
Web sites are touted as the “great online hope” of print publications, but a recent survey of local newspaper readers shows that this is not the case -- at least not yet.

According to a survey by the Readership Institute at NorthWestern University, newspaper Web sites continue to have limited penetration in most communities.

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Less freedom than expected in 'public' online spaces
Companies in charge of seemingly public spaces online wipe out content that's controversial but otherwise legal. Service providers write their own rules for users worldwide and set foreign policy when they cooperate with regimes like China. They serve as prosecutor, judge and jury in handling disputes behind closed doors.

The governmental role that companies play online is taking on greater importance as their services -- from online hangouts to virtual repositories of photos and video -- become more central to public discourse around the world. It's a fallout of the Internet's market-driven growth, but possible remedies, including government regulation, can be worse than the symptoms.

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