For nearly five decades, Jim Slusher has been one of the Midwest’s most thoughtful voices on what journalism owes its readers — and how it earns their trust. As managing editor for opinion at the Daily Herald, he’s spent his career pulling back the curtain on newsroom decisions and defending the value of open, honest dialogue. Now, with his new book To Nudge the World, Slusher is challenging both journalists and audiences to rethink how truth and trust are built in an era of noise and doubt. His message is clear: transparency isn’t a luxury for journalism — it’s the lifeline that keeps democracy alive.
This weekly, video and audio podcast dedicated to bringing depth, nuance and respect to conversations about today’s most complex topics launches on Nov. 13.
In a world overwhelmed by AI-generated imagery and shrinking newsroom budgets, the value of authentic photojournalism has never been more at risk — or more essential. The National Press Photographers Association is sounding the alarm: visuals aren’t just decoration, they’re the backbone of truth, trust, and emotional connection in journalism. In this exclusive interview, NPPA Vice President Lauren Steinbrecher and Grady College’s Mark E. Johnson break down why local publishers, students, and reporters must fight for the future of visual storytelling. Because if we lose the image, we may just lose the story itself.
Producing 15 local newspapers every week with just four paginators sounds impossible — but for Hometown News Florida, it’s the daily grind. Each edition must hit the press on time, packed with community coverage that reaches more than 200,000 readers along the state’s east coast. Yet what once took an entire workday now happens in a fraction of the time, thanks to automation tools from Software Consulting Services (SCS). By integrating SCS’s Scoop and Automated News Pagination systems, the team slashed production hours, streamlined workflows, and proved that technology can actually give local journalism more breathing room — not less.
In the race to build sustainable news businesses, the most successful publishers aren’t chasing clicks—they’re building relationships. That’s the key insight from Daniel Williams, founder and CEO of BlueLena, who shared new findings from more than 220 independent news sites and 6 million reader interactions. From reader motivations to revenue strategies, Williams pulled back the curtain on what’s actually working in local media heading into 2026. “We’re not guessing anymore,” he said. “We’ve got the data, and it’s changing the game.”
