Also in this issue: Baton Rouge's newspaper fights floods to deliver the news; GateHouse Newroom offers resources for education reporters; Upcoming Webinars and more.
Issue: #395
September 2, 2016
New York Newspapers Foundation underwrites book giveaway 

Kids with Books 
From timeunion.com -The Schenectady Inner City Ministry wrapped up its summer children's book giveaway Tuesday at Steinmetz Homes during its Summer Meals program.

New books were given to children ranging in age from toddlers on up, underwritten by a $5,000 grant from the New York Newspapers Foundation.

Studies show that summer learning opportunities improve academic outcomes for youth and that early and sustained summer learning opportunities lead to higher graduation rates and better preparation for college. Summer programs have also been shown to positively affect children's self-esteem, confidence and motivation.

SICM Summer Interns Greg Diebold and Kate Sears traveled daily to two to three Summer Meals sites this summer to read to children and give them new books to take home. SICM has received and distributed used children's books for many summers, but this year the children are treated to brand new books. SICM used the grant to purchase hundreds of children's books from The Open Door on Jay Street, which offered a discount for the bulk order. More  
 
From LPA -  The Denham Springs News was severely impacted and has opened in temporary offices.  It soldiers on.  The homes of owners/publishers Nancy David and Jeff McHugh David were flooded as well.

Water lapped at the door of the Gonzales Weekly News but it did not flood.  However, two staffers there had homes that flooded.

The Advocate (Baton Rouge) had 62 employees flooded. The newspaper has set up a fund to receive donations or donations can be made through the LPA Foundation.
LPA staffers Kenny and Shannon Shutt had flood damage to their home.

You may earmark how you wish your donation to be disbursed.  You will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation. Checks will be issued to the recipients weekly to assist them with managing unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.

The address is: LPA Foundation, 404 Europe St., Baton Rouge, or a donation can be made by credit card by calling Mike Rood at 225.344.9309, ext. 106 or Mitch at225.344.9309, ext. 107

If you have any questions, contact Pamela Mitchell, Executive Director of the
Louisiana Press Association at [email protected] of by phone at 225.344.9309, ext. 108.
 
The Advocate, Baton Rouge's newspaper, fought floods to get the news out

 
From Poynter.org
- The night the storm hit, before the water poured in and left her home destroyed and her two cats missing, Vicki Ferstel emailed a friend who lived close to the Mississippi River. If you need shelter, she said, come on over.
 
"That's how unprepared we all were for it," said Ferstel, night metro editor at The Advocate in Baton Rouge.

In the dark the next morning, Aug. 13, Glenn Bordelon left his home an hour and a half from Baton Rouge and headed for the newspaper. Bordelon, an electronic technician at The Advocate, got on the highway at about 4:30 a.m. In the distance, he could see an 18-wheeler pulled over, but he didn't think much of it.  More 

From GateHouse Newsroom - It's September and school is back in session, which means that education reporters across the country are ramping up their school coverage and kicking their story planning into high gear.
 
We took a look at some of our favorite sources for education-related data and story ideas in  "Databases for education reporting and back-to-school coverage," published on GateHouseNewsroom.com.

The information in the blog post provides some great sources for education reporters looking for both raw data and published reports on education-related topics, including test scores, financial aid numbers and assisted lunch program participation, and we'd love it if you could include information about this blog post in any of your upcoming newsletters or on your social media accounts.
 
That said, we are always on the hunt for fresh resources to share with our readers, so please don't hesitate to send us any content you'd like to see promoted.
 

About GateHouse Newsroom: GateHouseNewsroom.com is an editorial resource written by GateHouse Media journalism industry professionals, for journalism industry professionals. Our site is a one-stop resource for enterprising, engaging, entertaining and enlightening journalism.
  
Happy & Safe Labor Day Weekend to All!          

The New York News Publishers Association offices will be closed on Monday, September 5 for the Labor Day holiday.  We will reopen on Tuesday, September 6.
UPCOMING WEBINARS AND EVENTS
9/8 - The Power of Word Choice - Poynter NewsU - $29.95

9/9 - The need for speed: Is your website's load time hurting your bottom line? - Inland Press - $25 

9/15 - The Web's Best Editing Resources - Poynter NewsU - $29.95

9/21 - How to Cover Big News As It Breaks - Poynter NewsU - $29.95

9/22 - Endorsements: Why Do News Organizations Even Bother? - Poynter NewsU - FREE - thanks to the generous support of ASNE.

9/30 - InDesign Efficiencies - Online Media Campus - $35

10/6 - Election Coverage: Are You Ready? - Online Media Campus - $35

10/19 - The Power and Persuasion of the Spoken Word - Poynter NewsU -  $29.95 
 
In a New York Minute is the weekly electronic newsletter of  NYNPA, providing you with member news, money-saving and money-generating ideas, and upcoming events. If you would like to contribute to this newsletter please reply to this e-mail or contact [email protected]. For more on NYNPA please visit us on the web at www.nynpa.com.
 
Mary Miller
Education Services Director 
New York News Publishers Association
New York News Publishers Association | 518-449-1667 | www.nynpa.com