The news media industry is often focused on the people in the spotlight, but the contributions of those behind the scenes are immeasurable. In newsrooms across the country, editors carry heavy responsibilities. They lead the newsroom, determine what stories should be told and challenge assertions with unwavering commitment to the public’s interest. Their insight, experience and leadership are indispensable and elevate journalism to new heights. Despite not being as celebrated as bylined reporters or columnists, their invaluable contributions cannot be overlooked. We hope you enjoy meeting this exemplary group of E&P’s 2025 Editors Extraordinaire. more

With legislative threats mounting at the state level, America’s Newspapers (AN) has launched a new coalition to unite press associations and publishers in defense of local journalism. In a recent E&P Reports episode, CEO Dean Ridings was joined by Alan Fisco, president of The Seattle Times and AN board member, and Debbie Anselm, the new executive director of the Iowa Newspaper Association, to unpack the coalition’s goals. Together, they made the case for why statehouse advocacy is no longer optional — and how a collective voice can drive meaningful policy change. more

Four publishers from diverse markets—jazz, lifestyle, weekly, and community news—shared how outsourcing their design work to Design2Pro transformed their operations. What began as a solution to staffing challenges or production bottlenecks became a strategic advantage: faster turnaround times, higher-quality layouts, and cost savings without creative compromise. With flat-rate pricing, dedicated designers, and a user-friendly ad portal, they each found new efficiencies while maintaining full editorial control. Their unanimous takeaway: outsourcing design isn’t a step back—it’s a smarter way forward. more

American democracy is under siege. Most of us, including journalists and newsroom leaders, have been slow to fully acknowledge it. But those who have experienced authoritarianism, such as Masha Gessen and Maria Ressa, recognize it. The press has a vital role and duty to accurately and urgently alert the public to what is happening. more

In sales (as in life), things will happen to catch you off guard. In this month's column, E&P columnist Jeff Sleete relays a story about the time he grabbed the wrong week's music at the church where he serves as a cantor ... and the lesson he took from that about preparation being central to success. more

After six years of operating behind the scenes, the News Futures collective opened its doors to the public in February — inviting others to join its mission. It's focused on building a clearer picture of how journalism can serve as civic infrastructure, rooted in mutual respect and responsive to community needs. more

A new task force aims to bridge 12 newsrooms that focus on climate journalism. Not all the entities involved in the task force exclusively cover climate content. Some branch out into other areas of journalism, but all of them produce and share climate content. more

Billionaire Warren Buffett will remain with Berkshire Hathaway as chairman of the board when vice chairman Greg Abel takes over as CEO to begin 2026. more

After helping hundreds of publishers navigate digital transformation, Charity Huff decided to walk the walk — by acquiring Denver’s 5280 Magazine. Just four months in, she’s proving legacy brands can thrive with a modern strategy rooted in audience, authenticity and innovation. From rethinking revenue to doubling down on events and email, Huff is blending bold ideas with respect for tradition. Her mission: to build a community-first, future-ready media company — and show others it can be done. more

Children throw colored powder on each other during the annual American Canyon Holi celebration on Sunday, April 6, 2025. —Nick Otto, Photographer, Napa Valley Register, Napa, California more

Forget the perfect pitch — what you need is the perfect proposal. One that either gets you a “yes” or a fast “no” — not a dead-end “maybe.” That’s the approach Shannon Kinney shared with broadcasters in Tulsa, and it’s transforming how media sales pros close deals. At the heart of it? Focus less on selling and more on showing how you’ll solve the client’s problems. more

How do you save local journalism? How do you take a legacy newspaper and ensure it continues for the next 140 years? These are questions that Rob Curley — executive editor at The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington — has been pondering for more than a decade. Curley may have found the answer with the help of some news industry veterans, a local entrepreneur with a passion for nonprofits, and the counsel of one of the largest business consultancies in the nation. more

The Associated Press is expanding its support for local newsrooms to produce in-depth reporting. In March, the nonprofit cooperative launched the Local Investigative Reporting Program, providing member newsrooms with resources to strengthen accountability journalism through data analysis and advanced reporting techniques.  more

When we experience success, it’s easy to say that it’s because we’re outperforming others in key areas. Conversely, when someone in our peer group isn’t doing well, we’re quick to attribute their circumstances to personal failings or a lack of ability on their part. However, E&P columnist Doug Phares says the truth is that every person and business does some things right and others wrong. more

By placing public-interest stories behind paywalls, news organizations have built a kind of “border wall.” This restricts access to reliable information, pushing those without access toward “pink slime” news sites filled with disinformation. However, dismantling this border wall doesn’t mean sacrificing subscription revenue. more

At a time when trust in journalism continues to erode, the future of opinion content is under intense scrutiny. Should newspapers continue publishing unsigned editorials and political endorsements, or is it time to rethink the role of opinion altogether? That was the focus of a live panel at the 2025 America’s Newspapers’ Mega-Conference, where hundreds of news executives gathered for this live panel discussion, to share strategies, struggles and shifting audience expectations. A candid, sometimes surprising conversation emerged about how opinion journalism must evolve — or risk becoming irrelevant. more

Big tech has overpromised and underdelivered for local media. Now, E&P’s tech expert Guy Tasaka argues the real future lies in micro-SaaS, no-code tools, and affordable “good enough” solutions. After decades of enterprise complexity, small, scrappy platforms are finally solving the problems big vendors ignored — and doing it faster and cheaper. If you’re still waiting for the perfect system, you may already be falling behind. more

E&P columnist Doug Phares firmly believes that wisdom can be found anywhere, and he recently made a discovery while walking his dog. His dog can recognize patterns and knows that two paths that they sometimes take on their walks are comfortable, and one path pushes him. There's a lesson in this for managers, too. more

As local newsrooms shutter and rural stories go untold, KFF Health News is stepping into the gap — not with headlines from afar, but with reporters on the ground. Its Rural Health Desk is one of the few national initiatives committed to covering the health care challenges facing America’s smallest communities. Since its launch in 2022, the desk has produced hundreds of deeply reported stories, helping local outlets reach their audiences and policymakers understand what’s at stake. In a time when your ZIP code can determine your health outcome, this journalism could not be more essential. more

The biggest threat to public media isn’t the looming cut to federal funding — it’s that we’re losing our audience. While headlines scream about Congress gutting $535 million in support, the real crisis is quieter and far more dangerous: disconnection. Viewers are drifting, engagement is flatlining, and too many of us still act like it’s 1978. If we don’t start earning our place in people’s lives, no funding fight will save us. more