By now, you have all probably seen the news that Senators Manchin and Schumer have come to an agreement on a spending package that aims to lower health care costs, combat climate change and reduce the federal deficit. However, the tax credits for newsroom employees that were included in the original bill (Build Back Better) from last year are not part of this package at this time.

Through our lobbying efforts we have had many great discussions with Congressional leaders on the importance of local newspapers to communities across the country. It is encouraging to see that many of our government representatives recognize and appreciate the work local journalists do to support their readers and to support democracy overall.

Also, the connections made by local publishers with their representatives proved to be vital to this process. It’s extremely meaningful for elected officials to hear first-hand of the work being done. Going forward we encourage all our members to continue reaching out to their representatives on a regular basis to let them know about the issues important to you and to the newspaper industry. Your hard work makes a difference.

While assistance for newspapers may not be in this reconciliation bill, the efforts of America’s Newspapers will continue, and we are making directed efforts at a few key legislators to reinsert the tax credits for newsroom employees in the bill. We also will pursue other legislative opportunities that could support our members, including our ongoing support of the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act.

Thank you again for all of your efforts. We appreciate your support of America’s Newspapers.

Georges Media Group, parent company of The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com, The Advocate, The Acadiana Advocate and Gambit is announcing a new division of the company focused on providing sports and sports betting content for both emerging and existing publishers nationwide.

During a free webinar on Aug. 24, the team at Home Field Sports and America's Newspapers will give you an overview of the process and how your organization could benefit from this lucrative business segment.

Natalia Wiita has been named president and publisher of the Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal Star.

Wiita, formerly the company's regional vice president of sales, succeeds Ava Thomas, who has been promoted to a group president position within Lee Enterprises, parent company of the Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald.

The Center for Journalism & Democracy at Howard University has named Kali-Ahset Amen, Ph.D., as its inaugural executive director. Amen will be responsible for operationalizing the vision put forward by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, who is founding the center. The center is set to launch late Fall.