At 3 pm EST, this Friday, Nov. 20, AAN will continue its live chat series with winners from the AAN 2009 journalism contest with Anne Schindler, editor of Folio Weekly, who won first place in the column writing category in the 50,000 and under circulation category. She will be interviewed by Santa Fe Reporter editor Julia Goldberg in a chat that will happen right here on the AAN.org home page.

Continue ReadingNext ‘How I Got That Story’ Slated for This Friday

AAN is pleased to offer its members another opportunity for online professional development through a recently-created partnership with News University. "Newswriting for the Web," a one-hour webinar, is available to the first 20 AAN members who register at the special rate of $15.00 (the webinar regularly costs $29.95). To access the AAN-member only code, click here

Continue ReadingAnother Discounted NewsU Webinar Scheduled for Next Week

Last month it was revealed that the Cook County state's attorney subpoenaed emails, grades, and notes and recordings of witness interviews from students at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism who were investigating a 1978 homicide case for the school's Innocence Project. Today, AAN sent a letter to the state's attorney citing "grave concerns" about her actions and urging her to reconsider the subpoenas. "Our members are concerned whenever the values of a free press are threatened," reads the letter, written by AAN First Amendment chair Tim Redmond, "and we believe the actions by your office do just that."

Continue ReadingAAN Urges State’s Attorney to Reconsider Medill Subpoenas

AAN's second annual Publishers Conference is taking place Nov. 13 and 14 in Charleston, S.C., and will feature a couple of big-picture presentations and many informal discussions about the state of the industry. In addition, conference attendees will toast departing AAN executive director Richard Karpel at a going away party. For a full schedule or to register, click here.

Continue ReadingPublishers Conference Programming All Set

As we announced on Monday, AAN's longtime executive director, Richard Karpel, is stepping down to take the same position at the American Society of News Editors. AAN has placed ads to find his successor on four websites and has received more than 20 applications thus far. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors will do an initial screening of the candidates later this month; after this is complete, President Mark Zusman will appoint a separate committee that will likely meet and interview the finalists and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors.

Continue ReadingAAN Begins Search for New Executive Director

Washington City Paper editor Erik Wemple will discuss his award-winning media reporting with Tucson Weekly editor Jimmy Boegle on AAN.org this Friday, Oct. 30. Wemple took home first place for "One Mission, Two Newsrooms," his examination of the divide between the digital and print staffs at the Washington Post. Friday's chat will begin at 3 pm EDT.

Continue ReadingNext ‘How I Got That Story’ Live Chat: Friday Afternoon

Richard Karpel, who joined the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies as its executive director in July 1995, is leaving AAN for the same position at the American Society of News Editors. His last day will be Nov. 25, although he has agreed to help the association in an unofficial capacity after that date to assist in the transition to a new staff chief executive. "I have been at AAN for the better part of my adult life, and it has been an incredible ride," he says. "I want to thank all of the AAN members past and present who have made my time here such a rich and rewarding experience." MORE: Here's ASNE's announcement.

Continue ReadingAAN’s Executive Director Stepping Down