News Archive

Gannett announced layoffs today.  Details from Poynter.

Some of the shortcomings in local news coverage can come from the lack of know-how in regards to economic reporting.   You might find this column from the Northwestern Local News Initiative motivating.

“Today, as always, the typical journalist is a verbal person,  More  

ProPublica Illinois has produced some good reporting on video gambling in Illinois, in a report  The Bad Bet: How Illinois Best on Video Gambling and Lost. 

It shows how lobbyists wrote the law (A common occurance in Illinois & many other states) and how the law isn’t living up to its promise in helping the state budget (not counting social costs etc).  More  

The Better Government Association reports that government agencies continue to violate public records laws at a high frequency.

The analysis sites the top five offenders:

1. Chicago Police Department
2. Illinois Department Of Corrections
3. Illinois State Police
4. Chicago Public Schools
5. Cook County State’s Attorney

The BGA’s full report is here.  More  

The material below is a press release from the Illinois Press Foundation.

SPRINGFIELD – Capitol News Illinois, the Illinois Press Foundation’s news service providing state government coverage to Illinois newspapers, has hired three full-time reporters for its launch Jan. 28.

Rebecca Anzel, Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki have been hired as reporters for Capitol News Service Illinois.  More  

A new study shows that when it comes to disseminating false news stories on social media, the over 65’s are the ones who do it the most.     One key point in the research:  There isn’t all that much fake news re-distribution.   Here is an article in Verge.  More  

A 46 year network veteran will take the reins of CBS.  Here’s the report from USA Today.

Here’s some food for thought.  This article from Journalist’s Resource looks at what reporters get right and what they get wrong when covering rural America.  Not only is it good for those in cities who have to step out into the field  (literally) now and then, it can also help you examine your own reporting if you are in a mostly rural market.  More  

Research from the BBC gives reporters a chance to know what younger adults (those under 30) want from their news.   While aimed at British reporters, there is a lot there that’s easily transferable here across the pond.   Take a look.

This might help you find a story as you head into the weekend before the holidays. Hint: A lot come from sledding.   The study is summarized in Journalist’s Resource