Supporting local news media organizations in the commonwealth for over 100 years | | |
CELEBRATE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER WEEK
WITH PNA IN HARRISBURG
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This National Newspaper Week, join colleagues from across Pennsylvania for three days dedicated to the power, purpose and future of journalism
PNA’s 2026 Journalism Excellence Convention, Wednesday, Oct. 7, through Friday, Oct. 9, in Harrisburg, offers opportunities to advocate for our industry, learn from leading experts, connect with colleagues, recognize outstanding journalism and celebrate the people and organizations helping lead Pennsylvania news media into the future.
Reserve your overnight room today – hotel reservation deadline is September 8. A small block of discounted overnight rooms are available at The Central Hotel & Conference Center. Reserve in the block by using this special link, or secure your reservation by contacting the hotel directly at 717-561-2800 and ask for the “Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association” block.
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Oct. 7: Day of the Hill | Get an insider’s look at state government and the issues affecting Pennsylvania’s news media industry
National Newspaper Week begins with PNA’s Day on the Hill, bringing together publishers and other news media executives at the Pennsylvania Capitol to discuss policy issues affecting the industry, gain insight into the legislative process and hear how the upcoming election could shape the 2027-28 legislative session.
Attendees will also enjoy special access to some fascinating corners of the Capitol Complex, including a tour of the historic Senate Library, a visit to the Treasury Department’s Unclaimed Property vault and a Capitol historian’s look at the history and significance of the Ryan Office Building, the oldest building in the Capitol Complex. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet directly with state lawmakers and legislative leaders.
Attendance is limited, but a few spots remain. If you or a member of your executive team would like to attend, contact Jan Murphy at janm@pa-news.org by Aug. 31.
| | John M. Humenik is the chief strategy and operations officer of the Local Media Association/Local Media Foundation. | | |
Oct. 8: Journalism training | Start the day with timely conversations about AI, journalism and the law
Thursday’s programming begins with “What News Consumers Value Most (and Least) About How Newsrooms Use AI,” featuring John M. Humenik, who will share new research from the Local Media Association and Local Media Foundation, conducted in collaboration with Trusting News, on local news consumers’ perceptions of artificial intelligence. The findings reveal an openness to AI for routine journalism tasks, but also a strong desire for human involvement and appropriate guardrails. The session will offer practical insights to help news leaders bring audiences along as they explore AI, frame internal and external conversations about its use, and ethically advance the human + AI partnership.
The afternoon continues with two timely legal sessions addressing challenges facing Pennsylvania newsrooms. “Data Centers and Defamation Risk,” back by popular demand, will examine the legal considerations journalists face as proposed data center projects generate increasing public interest and controversy across the commonwealth. The session will cover Pennsylvania defamation law, the state’s new anti-SLAPP statute and practical ways journalists can minimize legal risk while continuing to report aggressively on matters of public concern.
“Protecting Intellectual Property” will turn to the growing challenge of protecting news content in the age of AI. The session will examine federal efforts, including the recently introduced Stealth Bot Prohibition Act, as well as the real-world reporting and intellectual property challenges AI is creating for news organizations, and how the industry is responding.
| | Isaac Elster, digital news editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, takes home a first-place award at the Professional Keystone Media Awards Luncheon. | | |
Oct. 8: Professional Keystone Media Awards Luncheon | Celebrate the best of Pennsylvania journalism
At the heart of Thursday’s events is the 2026 Professional Keystone Media Awards Luncheon, where we’ll recognize outstanding journalism produced by news media professionals across Pennsylvania. The Professional Keystone Media Awards honor work that demonstrates relevance, integrity and initiative in serving readers and audiences while fulfilling journalism’s vital First Amendment responsibilities.
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Oct. 8: Evening of Excellence | Celebrate the people and organizations helping shape the future of Pennsylvania journalism
The evening begins with the Celebrating Pennsylvania Journalism Reception, an opportunity to connect with colleagues and industry leaders from across the commonwealth before gathering for the Evening of Excellence dinner and awards program, PNA’s signature celebration honoring outstanding leadership, innovation, service and commitment to Pennsylvania journalism.
During the dinner, PNA will recognize four distinguished industry leaders: James McClure, Lifetime Achievement Award; John Finnerty, Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence; Lisa Hughes, News Media Industry Executive of the Year; and Joseph H. Zerbey IV, PNA Hall of Fame. We’ll also celebrate four News Organizations of the Year: PennLive/The Patriot-News (Harrisburg); Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; TheBurg (Harrisburg); and Chestnut Hill Local.
The program will also feature “A Transformative Year in Pennsylvania,” a timely conversation exploring significant changes taking place in Pennsylvania journalism and what they may mean for the future of local news.
Join us for an evening to connect with colleagues, recognize extraordinary achievement and celebrate the people and organizations whose work strengthens journalism and the communities it serves across Pennsylvania.
Explore the 2026 Journalism Excellence Convention and register here. Registration deadline is Sept. 18.
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Put your organization in the spotlight
Show your support for Pennsylvania journalism by becoming a sponsor of the Evening of Excellence. Sponsorship opportunities offer organizations meaningful visibility while helping PNA recognize the people and news organizations whose work strengthens journalism and the communities it serves. Opportunities are available at several levels, including exclusive sponsorships. Learn more here.
| | Rep. Ryan Bizzarro receives a Hall of Fame Award, presented by PNA Director of Government Affairs Jan Murphy. | | |
Celebrate honorees with a congratulatory ad
Help make the Evening of Excellence even more special by recognizing one of this year’s distinguished honorees.
News organizations, colleagues, friends and industry partners are invited to purchase a congratulatory ad in the Evening of Excellence dinner program celebrating an individual or news organization being recognized. Whether it’s a simple “Congratulations!” or a more personalized tribute, your message is a meaningful way to recognize their achievements and contributions to Pennsylvania journalism.
Dinner program advertising opportunities:
- Full page — $595
- Half page — $395
- Quarter page — $195
- Eighth page — $125
Ready to celebrate an honoree? Contact Bill Cotter at bcotter@pa-news.org to reserve your ad.
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Former Observer-Reporter Business Editor Mario Mullig dies at 91
Mario Mullig, a longtime Pennsylvania journalist who spent more than three decades with the Washington Observer-Reporter and served as the newspaper’s business editor and business writer, died Aug. 22 at age 91. Mullig’s career spanned radio broadcasting, newspaper journalism and corporate communications before he retired from the Observer-Reporter in 2009. He also worked professionally under the name Bob Coleman during his years in radio.
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Grist and Spotlight PA launch climate collaboration
Grist
The two organizations will co-fund a reporting position to examine how climate intersects with energy, land use, water and other issues in Pennsylvania, as well as the impact of public policy on climate and the environment. “As I’ve learned more about Spotlight PA and seen their innovative and in-depth approach to journalism, I became convinced that when we were able to expand to Pennsylvania, it had to be with them,” said Grist CEO Nikhil Swaminathan.
| | Shady Side Academy players celebrate during the 2026 WPIAL Class 3A boys lacrosse championship game. (Andrew Palla/TribLive) | | |
TribLIVE High School Sports Network enhances coverage
TribLIVE
With an updated website and expanded correspondent network, fans can expect even more of the high school sports coverage they have come to expect from TribLIVE HSSN. “We’re expanding our network of correspondents to cover more games each week and tell more stories from schools throughout Western Pennsylvania,” said Bill Hartlep, TribLIVE HSSN managing editor.
| | Carter Walker is a senior reporter at Votebeat Pennsylvania. | | |
CJE MEET THE MOMENT TRAINING
Sept. 14: Data Journalism in Election Integrity - virtual
Join Carter Walker of Votebeat and Mike Wereschagin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for a free webinar from the Center for Journalism Excellence and the PNA Foundation. Learn how journalists can use data acquisition, verification and analysis to investigate election integrity, identify misinformation and strengthen public confidence in election coverage.
| | Conference speakers include David Wells, publisher of Pennsylvania Business Central, Marcellus Business Central and State College Magazine. | | |
Sept. 16-18: 2026 PNA Advertising Conference - The Graduate by Hilton | State College
The clock is ticking for the 2026 PNA Advertising Conference. The deadline for overnight reservations at the special conference rate has been extended to Monday, Aug. 31, with only a few rooms remaining. Conference registration closes Sept. 2.
Join fellow media and advertising professionals for interactive, hands-on learning and seminars designed to sharpen your sales strategy and strengthen client relationships. Featured session “Field of Dreams: Build Relationships...and the Business Will Come” brings a baseball-themed approach to purposeful prospecting, authentic relationship-building and consistent follow-up, with David Wells sharing practical, real-world strategies you can put to work immediately. Download the conference brochure and register today.
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Oct. 9: PNA Annual General Membership Meeting - The Central Hotel & Conference Center | Harrisburg, Zoom option available
All PNA members are encouraged to attend and participate in the Annual General Membership Meeting, either in-person or via Zoom.
Please register by Friday, October 2.
| | The House and Senate are on summer recess. | | | | |
Lawmaker calls for stiffer penalties for campaign violations
Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) plans to introduce legislation that would increase the penalties for civil and criminal violations involving failure to register as a political action committee, late campaign finance report filing and failure to file reports. In his cosponsorship memo, he described the current penalties as “shockingly small.” He wrote, “We cannot stand idly by, waiting for criminals to receive a slap on the wrist for flouting laws and attempting to corrupt our elections.”
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“It’s an opportunity for me to engage here and to look you in the eye and yes, honor and reflect and make sure that you too, regardless of your age, never forget that incredibly distressful day.”
— Former Gov. Mark Schweiker, speaking Monday to the Pennsylvania Press Club audience about his invitation to reflect on the events that transpired particularly in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001
Thank you for reading,
Bill Cotter
President and CEO
Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association
Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation
MANSI Media
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