Kentucky Press Association

Kentucky Press Association Expand, advance and promote the future of Kentucky's newspapers.

09/02/2026

“What a newspaper needs in its news, in its headlines, and on its editorial page is terseness, humor, descriptive power, satire, originality, good literary style, clever condensation, and accuracy, accuracy, accuracy!”
— Joseph Pulitzer

BEFORE WE FORGET . . .

Yeah, yeah, yeah — you know the basics . . . Our September KPA Zoom Call features Peter Baniak talking about AI and some of the things it means for all of us in the newspaper world. It’s set for Friday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. This promises to be our biggest Zoom call yet, so be sure to register by emailing Tim at [email protected].

In addition to that, don’t forget to register for the 2026 Excellence In Kentucky Newspapers Contest. Here’s the link: Advanced Contest Entry System > Contests > Kentucky Press Association Once you get there, be sure to click on “Basic Instructions” for this year’s contest code.

Need $50 bucks? Who doesn't! Then create an ad promoting your newspaper to run during National Newspaper Week (Oct. 4-10). The best ad gets $50, a KPA coffee cup and a warm and hearty handshake! We’ve already got some great entries. Be sure to add yours to it! Send it to [email protected]. And we were asked if you could enter more than once? Heck yeah! This is like Chicago politics — Vote (or enter early) and vote (or enter) often 😂!

And now for the really big news, KPA is planning an event on Nov. 12 at the University of Louisville’s Conference Center that is GUARANTEED to help your bottom line. Details will be coming soon, but the attendance fee will be less than $100 and only 50 people will be able to attend. Did we mention that this event – which will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. is GUARANTEED to help your bottom line? What is it? Like our friends in TVLand say, stay tuned!

09/01/2026

AI – The Beginning of the End,or a Beautiful New Beginning?

We’ve all heard the good, the bad and the downright ugly when it comes to Artificial Intelligence and what it means for the future of the newspaper industry. And let’s face it, we’re not exactly sailing along on smooth seas right now anyways.

Is AI going to hasten our doom? Or could it be the key we’ve been looking for to unlock our industry’s revival? Could it be both? Neither?

No one knows for sure, but one guy who knows a lot more than most of us about AI and what it COULD mean for newspapers is Peter Baniak. The former newspaper executive, KPA President and now faculty member at UK will share his thoughts on KPA’s monthly Zoom call Sept. 18.

Space is limited, so be sure to sign up asap. Just email KPA Director Tim Timmons and tell him to save you a spot. You’ll get a confirmation email and link.

This is sure to be a fascinating topic for all KPA members. It has the potential to save your paper money, help with revenues and more. But don’t take it from us. Hear from Peter himself on Sept. 18.
Our spots are limited to the first 100 who sign up. We’ve already had more interest in this topic than anticipated, so be sure to reserve your space asap!

• Sept. 18
• 11 a.m.
• Limited to KPA members (first 100 participants)
Sign up today by calling KPA (502) 223-8821 or emailing [email protected] (you will get an email confirming your spot or letting you know the session is already full).

09/01/2026

This may be the best quote ever about our industry . . .

“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”
Thomas Jefferson, Founding Father and third president of the United States

BEFORE WE FORGET . . .
• KPA is planning an event on Nov. 12 at the University of Louisville’s Conference Center that is GUARANTEED to help your bottom line. Details will be coming soon, but the attendance fee will be less than $100 and only 50 people will be able to attend. Did we mention that this event – which will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. is GUARANTEED to help your bottom line? What is it? Like our friends in TVLand say, stay tuned!

• National Newspaper Week is Oct. 4-10. What’s your newspaper doing to take advantage of the opportunity to sell some subscriptions and ads? And don’t forget, KPA is having a contest for the best house ad about your enterprise and National Newspaper Week. The winner gets $50, a KPA coffee cup and a warm and hearty handshake! We’ve already got some great entries, so the competition is shaping up! Send yours today to [email protected]

• The September KPA Zoom Call will feature Peter Baniak to talk about AI and some of the things it means for Kentucky newspapers. It’s scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. This promises to be our biggest Zoom call yet, so be sure to register by emailing Tim at [email protected].

• Don’t forget to register for the 2026 Excellence In Kentucky Newspapers Contest. Here’s the link: Advanced Contest Entry System > Contests > Kentucky Press Association Once you get there, be sure to click on “Basic Instructions” for this year’s contest code.

08/31/2026

From Your Friends at KPA . . .

E&P shared a quote this morning that brightens the day.
"I don’t think that anything is showing us that the need and the desire and the audience for local information is going away."
Sara April, president, Dirks, Van Essen & April

It brightens our day because much of the world bemoans the death of newspapers . . . and yet as Sara so accurately points out, the need, desire (and particularly) the audience for local information is alive and well. It’s on us to find ways to reach them. That’s good news, no matter how you cut it!

BEFORE WE FORGET . . .
• Don’t forget to register for the 2026 Excellence In Kentucky Newspapers Contest. Here’s the link: Advanced Contest Entry System > Contests > Kentucky Press Association Once you get there, be sure to click on “Basic Instructions” for this year’s contest code.

• The September KPA Zoom Call will feature Peter Baniak to talk about AI and some of the things it means for Kentucky newspapers. It’s scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. This promises to be our biggest Zoom call yet, so be sure to register by emailing Tim at [email protected].

• National Newspaper Week is Oct. 4-10. What’s your newspaper doing to take advantage of the opportunity to sell some subscriptions and ads? And don’t forget, KPA is having a contest for the best house ad about your enterprise and National Newspaper Week. The winner gets $50, a KPA coffee cup and a warm and hearty handshake! We’ve already got some great entries, so the competition is shaping up! Send yours today to [email protected]

08/28/2026

Share Your News With Us So We Can Share All Across Kentucky

Who doesn't like a little recognition? This space is for anyone and everyone connected to Kentucky newspapers. Birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, you name it . . . if someone at your paper or school has something of note. Email [email protected] and we'll get it in.

08/28/2026

Zoom Call on Recruiting Was Worth Time

This past Tuesday a bunch of us got on a Zoom call and solved the problem on how to find, hire and retain great sales reps.
Sorry you didn't take part? I'll bet!
And if you swallowed the part about us figuring this out, I've got a bridge and some land I'd like to sell you.
Truth to tell, there is no one definitive answer. But the collective power and wisdom of the group was evident in the examples shared and the brainstorming that went on -- well brainstorming on their part, it was more of a drizzle on my end.
But that's the idea of the Zoom calls -- share some knowledge and insights and find answers that work. Plus, what works in one place may not work somewhere else, but at least by talking with our peers it is very conducive to figuring things out.
We're going a step farther by creating a ListServ (which we hope to roll out in the next month or so). If you're not familiar, this will enable KPA members to email an entire group and ask a question, share a thought and -- in general -- have a panel of experts within reach.
And our next Zoom call will feature Peter Baniak who will be talking about artificial intelligence and its impact on newspapers. We have it scheduled for Sept. 18, a Friday. Our first call was on a Wednesday and the next a Tuesday. We're trying to spread them around because everyone has different deadlines.

08/28/2026

IMPORTANT DATES

NOW: KPA Annual News and Advertising Contest Entries and Registration (register, even before you work on entries)

Sept. 18: Next KPA Zoom call -- featuring Peter Baniak to discuss about AI's impact on newspapers. Register by emailing [email protected]

Oct. 4-11: National Newspaper Week (Enter your house ads promoting your paper in the KPA contest -- contact Timmons for more info.)

08/28/2026

Happy Birthday to Clinton County News Editor Brett Gibson

We have been asking for your birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations and such for this space, so hats off to the good folks in Albany who sent us the following. Not sure if Brett knew it was coming, so if not . . . SURPRISE!

Brett Gibson, who has been Editor of the Clinton County News since July 2023, will celebrate his birthday Tuesday, Sept. 1. Brett assumed the Editor’s role at Clinton County from his Dad, Alan B. Gibson, making him the third generation Gibson Editor of the Clinton County News.
A.B. Gibson founded the newspaper with his wife, Nell Bertram Gibson, in 1949.
In addition to his role as Editor, Brett is an assistant girls’ softball coach for the Clinton County High School Lady Bat Dawgs. He began his newspaper career with the Clinton County News in 2004, after returning to Albany following his graduation from Eastern Kentucky University where he earned a a B.S. degree in Journalism, with a minor in Print Management. During his time at EKU, Brett worked on the staff of the student newspaper, the Eastern Progress, serving in several roles including reporter, photographer, assistant sports editor, sports editor and advertising designer.
During his tenure with the EKU Progress, the student publication earned the prestigious honor of the Pacemaker Award, one of the highest accolades a college publication can win.
Brett is the son of Clinton County News co-publishers, Alan and Janie Upchurch Gibson.

Happy Birthday to retired KPA Executive Director David Thompson. At the time of his retirement earlier this year, David ...
08/28/2026

Happy Birthday to retired KPA Executive Director David Thompson. At the time of his retirement earlier this year, David was the longest-serving press association director in the United States! Please join us in wishing David a most happy birthday and many more to come!

08/28/2026

What’s Plan For Getting it Done?

We all know too well the definition of insanity -- do the same thing and expect a different outcome. If you sell advertising for a living then, and if you're not exactly setting sales records each month, what is the plan?
It's kind of the issue with our entire industry, right? Former USA Today Editor Ken Paulson was speaking the other day and said just imagine if all the large newspaper companies got together and launched a full-fledged effort to turn this industry around. The results might be incredible!
That's a big part of our problem. We're accepting (or worse, have accepted) defeat. It's tough to make sales that way.
So what say we put together a plan? How can we sell enough to bring in a good commission? How can we hit goals? (If you are waiting on a miracle answer, you'll find it with the Easter Bunny, Santa and the Tooth Fairy). There is no one answer. It depends on each paper, each market and everyone's skillsets. But there are a few things that all of us can do to help.
First off, be opportunistic. Be ready to capitalize on any situation. Got a high school team going to a tournament? Sell a sig page to wish them good luck. (Of course this can depend on whether or not you have staff -- see column about our Zoom call on this page.)
Along those opportunistic lines, check out upcoming Hallmark and other calendar holidays. To be sure, they won't all be a fit but there's usually something in there for every paper. Here's what a quick check found:
Sept. 7: Labor Day. LOTS of possibilities!
9-11: This marks 25 years since that awful day. Would honoring your local first responders make sense for your paper?
Sept.13: National Grandparents Day. Work with a school. What do kiddos love about their grandparents? Get a sponsor. After all, do we have a bigger demographic reading our products?
From Sept. 10 to Oct. 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. For many communities, this is a large demographic and offers papers a great chance to connect.
Looking ahead to October, the entire month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: For some papers, this can mean thousands and thousands of dollars -- as well as raising community awareness on a critically important issue.
Oct. 4 kicks off National Newspaper Week. Great opportunity for dollars. Use it to tell your story. Tell why you are still important in your community. (And don't forget, KPA is having a contest to see who can make the best house ad promoting our industry. Win $50, a coffee cup and a warm and hearty handshake!)
What else? Oct. 2 is World Smile Day: A sig ad full of local dentists? Still have a comics page? Why not have "These Smiles presented by . . . " a dentist all year long? Oct. 5 is World Teachers' Day. Sell a page? A section? The next day is National Coaches Day. Another sig page thanking coaches? The 10th is World Mental Health Day. It's another opportunity to highlight a vital community issue. And Oct. 11 is the International Day of the Girl. Forget which side of the political coin anyone is on. This is a hot topic, and hot topics sell.
The point is, if what we have always done is slumping, try something different. What ideas do you have? Please consider sharing with KPA. Get going, have some fun and make some money!

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