Entries invited for editorial writing award

January 11, 2022

Entries invited for Carmage Walls Commentary Prize, honoring editorial page excellence

First-place carries a cash prize of $2,000; second-place winners will receive $1,000 (in each of two circulation brackets)

Honoring excellence in editorial writing is the goal of the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize, which will be presented this fall by America's Newspapers. The prize is underwritten by Southern Newspapers, Inc.

The deadline for entries is May 2.

Join us April 10-12 for the Mega-Conference: the premier event for the news media industry

Conference attendees should register at one of the following links. Sponsorship information is available from Patty Slusher: pslusher@newspapers.org.

Newspaper and Media Executives register here

Industry Vendors and Solutions Partners register here

VIEW the preliminary conference agenda

LEARN MORE at mega-conference.com

Industry people

Eliza Gaines named executive editor of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Eliza Gaines has been promoted to executive editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock. For the past two years, she has served as managing editor of the newspaper.

Jim Falzone named CNHI production vice president

Jim Falzone, an accomplished newspaper executive, has been promoted to vice president of production for CNHI, LLC, the company announced Monday.

The Wichita Eagle names a new managing editor; hires new breaking news reporter

Marcia Werts, who worked in a variety of editing roles for The Wichita (Kansas) Eagle from 1998 to 2019, has returned to The Eagle as managing editor.

Ida Brown named magazine editor

Veteran journalist and Meridian native Ida Brown has been named editor of Meridian Home and Style and Timeless Meridian, both magazines published by The Meridian (Mississippi) Star.

What we're reading

With democracy in peril, Congress needs to support local news by passing the Build Back Better bill

One part of President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better bill would give a real boost to newspapers that focus on local news. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act provides for a payroll tax credit, which would help to keep them viable. Is it important? As Thomas Jefferson said in 1787, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” ...

In a world that wallows daily in rumor and conspiracy, a reliable free press becomes more essential than ever. And its value locally cannot be underestimated. It’s something Eagle readers already know, so, this column is the proverbial preaching to the choir.

What’s needed is to spread the word. Reputable commentators are saying our democracy is threatened. The answer to that threat lies in the success of the paper that Kathy Butler Wells pops into a green tube at the bottom of my driveway as she makes her rounds in the wee hours. If democracy is in jeopardy, it’s not a game.