News

TPA Revenue Summits set for Oct. 22 (Knoxville) and Oct. 29 (Nashville)

You are invited to the TPA Revenue Summits for member newspapers in Knoxville on Thursday, Oct. 22 and in Nashville on Thursday, Oct. 29.

Note: Sessions for Circulation will be held only at the Knoxville location on Oct. 22.

Note: Ideas Contest Awards 2026 will be presented at the Nashville Revenue Summit

TPA Member cost is $30.00. Lunch provided. Register Today!

Ready for New Revenue Ideas? Join Us at a TPA Revenue Summit!

The Tennessee Press Association is bringing member newspapers together for a TPA Revenue Summitfocused on one thing: helping your newspaper make more money.

Join fellow newspaper publishers, advertising leaders and sales professionals for a practical, idea-packed session designed to give you strategies you can take home and put to work.

We’ll explore:

Sales Tips That Work – Fresh techniques and approaches to help you sell more advertising and build stronger customer relationships.
AI + Revenue – Discover practical ways to use artificial intelligence to improve sales, prospecting, advertising and circulation.
Revenue-Producing Special Sections & Projects – Share successful ideas with other TPA members and discover projects you can bring back to your market.
Growing Digital Revenue – Learn new ways to package, price and sell digital products—whether you’re a small weekly or a larger newspaper operation.
New Revenue Opportunities – Explore products, partnerships and ideas that can create additional revenue beyond traditional advertising.
Ideas from Your Peers – Hear what’s working at other Tennessee newspapers and share your own successes.
Growing Circulation – How can you sell more newspapers and retain your readers, Subscription drives, sampling and more

This isn’t just another meeting. Come prepared to exchange ideas, find new opportunities and leave with revenue-generating strategies you can start using immediately.

Bring your ideas. Bring your questions. Bring your sales team.

Let’s find new ways to grow newspaper revenue—together.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/TPARevenue2026

National Newspaper Week Oct. 4-10

This marks the 86th year of National Newspaper Week (NNW), which observes the importance of newspapers to communities large and small.

The theme for 2026 is “Rooted in Community, Committed to Truth.” National Newspaper Week runs Oct.4-10.

NNW is a project of the Newspaper Association Managers. This year’s kit, prepared by the National Newspaper Association, will be available at www.nationalnewspaperweek.com beginning Sept. 10.

TPA sponsors the kit for all of its members to use. In addition to ads, editorials and editorial cartoons will be available for publication.

UT-TPA Tennessee State Press Contests honor journalism across the state

List of 2026 winners may be found here

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Journalists, editors and designers from across Tennessee gathered June 25, 2026 for the annual Tennessee Press Association awards ceremony, which has been co-sponsored by the University of Tennessee System for 86 years. The ceremony honors newspapers, journalists and media organizations for outstanding work in reporting, photography, writing, design and public service.

Among this year’s winners, the Kingsport Times News received the most first-place awards with eight wins, while the Wilson Post finished second with seven first-place awards.

The General Excellence Award, the contest’s highest honor, recognizes overall excellence among newspapers within their respective divisions. Winners are determined by a point system based on contest placements throughout the competition. The Standard Banner of Jefferson City earned the award for the sixth consecutive year, while the Chattanooga Times Free Press received the honor for the second consecutive year.

Other General Excellence Award winners were:
The Erwin Record
The Nashville Ledger
Kingsport Times News

“Local journalism helps tell the stories of our communities while keeping people informed about the issues that matter most in their daily lives,” said Keith Carver, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the UT Institute of Agriculture. “That purpose aligns closely with our land-grant mission. Whether through local newsrooms or university outreach, we share a responsibility to provide trusted, research-based information that serves Tennesseans and helps communities thrive.”

The ceremony was held during a luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Franklin, which featured 1,088 entries submitted by 68 member newspapers and online publications. Entries were judged by the Maine Press Association through the Tennessee Press Association’s reciprocal judging process.

First-place winners in the editorial, best single editorial and public service categories received $250 prizes funded by UT’s Edward J. Meeman Foundation. Established in 1968, the foundation supports the contest, provides professional critiques and supports journalism education across Tennessee.

About the University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service. The UT System manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through its UT-Battelle partnership; enrolls nearly 65,000 students statewide; produces more than 15,000 new graduates every year; and represents almost 497,000 alumni around the world.

About the Tennessee Press Association

The Tennessee Press Association is the trade association of Tennessee’s daily and non-daily newspapers and online news organizations and it is the parent organization of Tennessee Press Service and Tennessee Press Association Foundation. It was founded in 1870-71 for the purpose of creating a unified voice for the newspaper industry of Tennessee.

Wheeler is winner of CFINR-Tennessee reporting award

June 25, 2026

Drew Wheeler, editor of the McNairy County News of Selmer, Tenn., was awarded the Center for Integrity in News Reporting 2026 Tennessee Award for his story, “Justice for Pauline,” on Thursday, June 25 during the University of Tennessee System—Tennessee Press Association Awards Luncheon in Franklin, Tenn.

Rufus Friday, executive director of the Center for Integrity in News Reporting, presented Wheeler with the $5,000 prize.

Judge’s Comments:

Arguably, Sheriff Buford Pusser became one of the most famous figures of McNairy County after the movie “Walking Tall” in 1976 based loosely on his life. Adamsville hosts an annual Buford Pusser Festival and the Buford Pusser Home and Museum. So when the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the local district attorney announced in August 2025 that they had concluded a revived investigation into the death his wife Pauline and that if Pusser were alive today, he would be charged with her murder 58 years ago, it’s no surprise that the McNairy County News devoted three pages to the story.

The reporting was solid and detailed and struck a tone appropriate for an audience that would surely have mixed feelings about their legendary sheriff. In addition to providing detailed information from the revived cold case investigation, the reporter included comments from family members with conflicting feelings. The reporter interviewed local law enforcement who acknowledged the investigation’s results, but also how films, books and songs about Pusser inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in law enforcement. Local Buford Pusser historians were also interviewed. This was a story that was hard to put down. The reporter did a great job simply by providing so many facts on how the TBI concluded Pusser had killed his wife and being sensitive to what this all meant in Pusser’s hometown.

The reporter’s last two paragraphs were a perfect ending:

“Perhaps answering questions which had not yet been asked, in concluding his statement last Friday, DA Davidson said this case is “not about tearing down a legend. It is about giving dignity and closure to Pauline and her family and ensuring the truth is not buried with time… The truth matters…justice matters, even 58 years later, Pauline deserves both.”

The McNairy County News did a superb job delivering such an important story.

Tennessee Press Association announces inaugural A-Mark Foundation Freedom of Information Reporting Award winners

June 25, 2026

The Tennessee Press Association (TPA), in partnership with the A-Mark Foundation, are proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural A-Mark Foundation Freedom of Information Reporting Award. The new statewide award recognizes outstanding journalism that advances government transparency and protects the public’s right to know.

The award honors investigative reporting that uncovers information through public records, open meetings, and persistent reporting. Entries were judged on depth of research, initiative, obstacles overcome, use of public records and databases, use of multiple sources, and the impact of the reporting on public policy and the public interest.

The A-Mark Foundation awarded a total of $15,000 in prize money, with awards presented both to the winning journalists and their news organizations in recognition of the vital role accountability journalism plays in serving the public.

2026 Award Winners

First Place: Joan McClane, Ellen Gerst, and Siena Duncan of the Chattanooga Times Free Press for ‘Enterprise South Nature Park Land Swap.’ The judges praised the team’s persistent pursuit of public records that revealed a previously undisclosed land swap proposal, ultimately contributing to the cancellation of the plan. The journalists received $5,000, and the Chattanooga Times Free Press received $2,500.

Second Place: Paige Pfleger and researcher Mariam Elba of Nashville Public Radio for ‘Guns in Dangerous Hands.’ The team received $3,000, and Nashville Public Radio, in partnership with ProPublica, received $1,500.

Third Place: Angele Latham of The Tennessean for ‘Banned Books Database.’ Latham received $2,000, and The Tennessean received $1,000.

The competition was open to all journalists employed by Tennessee-based media organizations, including members of the Tennessee Press Association.

“These winning investigations demonstrate why freedom of information laws matter and why determined journalism remains essential to an informed public,” said Ken Paulson, Director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), who presented the awards. “We are grateful to the A-Mark Foundation for supporting this important work and to the journalists across Tennessee who continue to champion transparency, accountability, and the public’s right to know.”

About the A-Mark Foundation Freedom of Information Reporting Award

Established through a partnership between the Tennessee Press Association and the A-Mark Foundation, the award recognizes excellence in investigative reporting that promotes open government and public accountability.

Gould elected TPA president

Dave Gould, president and CEO of Main Street Media of Tennessee, is the new president of the Tennessee Press Association (TPA). Gould succeeds Alison Gerber, editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Gould was formally introduced as the 2026-27 president during the June 25 University of Tennessee System-TPA Tennessee State Press Contests Awards Luncheon in Franklin, Tenn. He will lead the 15-member TPA Board of Directors.

TPA elections took place on June 12 during the concurrent TPA Board of Directors meeting and Business Session. Other officers elected for one-year terms are Darren Haimer, general manager of The Daily Times, Maryville, first vice president; Lindsay Pride, editor of the Herald-Citizen, Cookeville, second vice president; Eric Barnes, CEO of The Daily Memphian, re-elected treasurer; Sandy Dodson, publisher of The Bledsonian-Banner, Pikeville, secretary; and Alison Gerber will continue on the board as immediate past president.

Directors elected for two-year terms representing District Two are Liz Schubauer, city and politics editor of The Tennessean, Nashville, Holly McCall, editor of The Tennessee Lookout, Nashville, and Lora Scripps, editor and general manager of the Elk Valley Times, Fayetteville.

Don Lovelace, vice president of circulation for Lakeway Publishers, Inc., was elected for a one-year term as a director representing District Three.

Continuing their terms on the board are District One directors Brittany Martin, publisher of The McKenzie Banner, Victor Parkins, publisher of The Mirror-Exchange, Milan, and Scott Whaley, Gibson County Publishing, and District Three directors Joel Christopher, executive editor of the Knoxville News Sentinel and Ron Waite, group publisher of Six Rivers Media.

About Dave Gould

Dave Gould has owned Main Street Media of Tennessee since May 2013. The company publishes 16 Nashville-area newspapers along with magazines, websites, e-newsletters, and Main Street Media TV, a streaming TV channel.

Prior to this, Dave spent 20 years with Gannett, including 11 years as vice president of advertising for The Tennessean. He holds a bachelor of science from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the College of William & Mary.

Dave’s board service includes the Tennessee Press Association, Tennessee Press Service, and the Tennessee Press Association Foundation. He also serves, or has served, on the boards of Pope John Paul II High School, the Volunteer State College Foundation, the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, Grace Place, and Trousdale Place.

Dave and his wife Ellen have been married for 36 years and have eight children ranging in age from 19 to 34. They reside in Gallatin.

About TPA

The TPA was founded in 1870-71 for the purpose of creating a unified voice for the newspaper industry in Tennessee. Today, TPA continues to assist its 133 members by monitoring legislative activities, providing training programs, issuing press credentials, and providing regular meetings and forums to foster the exchange of information and ideas.

The TPA presidency rotates among TPA’s three divisions of Tennessee.

A-Mark Prize for Freedom of Information Reporting deadline April 30, 2026

The Tennessee Press Association is partnering with the A-Mark Foundation to offer a new statewide Freedom of Information Reporting prize that will award $15,000 in cash to reporters and newsrooms who exemplify the best in-depth reporting on FOI issues.

Winners in the competition will receive:

First place: $5,000 for the journalist(s) and $2,500 to the news organization
Second place: $3,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,500 to the news organization
Third place: $2,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,000 to the news organization

The entry deadline for this contest is Thursday, April 30, 2026, for work published or aired in calendar year 2025. Winners will be announced June 2026.

Contest Criteria:

The contest criteria will recognize an investigative story or series by a reporter or team on a single topic related to Freedom of Information or coverage of open meetings and public records. Entries should display original reporting that reveals information that is not generally known, and that government bodies or agencies may not want available for public scrutiny.

The contest will be open to all news outlets in Tennessee, including broadcast.

Judges will consider depth of research, initiative, obstacles overcome, use of database and public records, use of multiple sources, and impact on public policy. Entries will be required to include a brief letter of explanation from the newsroom’s top editor. Judging will be conducted by a panel of retired newspaper editors from print and broadcast backgrounds as well as journalism professors in Tennessee.

To enter: send letter of explanation, pdf pages, story links, photos and/or video to: Mark Millsap, Executive Director of Tennessee Press Association at mmillsap@tnpress.com. Questions, email or call Mark Millsap at 865.584.5761 ext. 106.

Center for Integrity in News Reporting Award of Excellence—Tennessee

“To give news impartially, without fear or favor.”
— Adolph Ochs, 1858-1935
Publisher, New York Times 1896-1935

DEADLINE TO ENTER: THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026

Tennessee is one of 14 states to receive a $5,000 award for integrity in news reporting. The Prize will recognize best example of impartial, objective and fair news reporting Funded by the Center for Integrity in News Reporting through a three-year $210,000 grant from the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation, this new award will recognize trustworthy news reporting in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The Center for Integrity in News Reporting Award of Excellence—Tennessee recognizes news reporting based on verifiable facts, balanced perspectives, neutral tone/language, transparency and thoroughness of sourcing, while excluding opinion and emotional appeals.

Entry Requirements/How to Enter

One entry allowed per TPA member newspaper or member online publication. Entries may include one reported news story or a full series by the same reporter or reporting team on a single topic.

Publication Period: Entries must have been published between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2025.

Entries may be emailed to mmillsap@tnpress.com with the subject line CFINR Entry. You may submit PDFs of tearsheets or links to stories. If submitting links, please include login credentials for the judge to access your website. Please include the name of the reporter(s) in your entry email.

Judging Criteria

Accuracy and fact-checking

• All factual claims should be supported by evidence.

• Information has been verified through multiple independent and reliable sources.

Balance and Multiple Perspectives

• On complex issues, the report should present multiple viewpoints without favoring one.

• The amount of attention given to different sides should be proportional to the weight of the issue.

Neutral Language and Tone

• The language used should be objective and informative, not sensationalized, or emotionally charged.

• The report should avoid loaded adjectives, adverbs, or framing that tell the reader how to interpret the facts or feelings.

Sourcing and Transparency

• Reporters should clearly identify their sources, ideally with verifiable details (e.g., name, position, institution) rather than vague references like “leading doctors say.”

Separation of News and Opinion

• The entry must be a straight news report and not an editorial, opinion piece, or column.

Completeness and Context

• The entry should provide enough context and background information for the audience to understand the broader implications of the story.

• It should cover “the whole story,” not just the parts of a story that support a particular narrative.

Prize

The CFINR Award of Excellence, is a $5,000 cash prize. The $5,000 prize will be awarded directly to the reporter(s), not the news organization.

The statewide winner and recipient(s) of the cash prize will be announced by a representative of CFINR at the Tennessee Press Association Awards Luncheon.

About the Center for Integrity in News Reporting (CFINR)

The Center for Integrity in News Reporting was created to address the public’s declining trust in news reporting. Gallup polls show that trust, which was around 70 percent in the 1970s, has now fallen to 28 percent. CFINR aims to improve public trust by encouraging and rewarding impartial, objective, and fair journalism. By recognizing exemplary reporting, CFINR hopes to restore the standards that once earned widespread trust.

CFINR was founded in 2024 by Walter E. Hussman, Jr., chairman of WEHCO Media, Inc., which operates eleven daily newspapers and cable television companies across six states. CFINR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, governed by a Board of Trustees, all of whom have extensive news experience.

About the SNPA Foundation

The SNPA Foundation was established in 1968 to provide educational programs for newspaper members of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association (SNPA). Since its inception, the SNPA Foundation’s seminars, webinars, literacy programs and Traveling Campus have reached more than 100,000 newspaper employees.

CONTACT: Call Mark Millsap at (865) 584-5761 ext. 106 or email mmillsap@tnpress.com with questions.

State Press Contests Deadline extended to Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

(Jan. 26, 2026 at 6:35 p.m. EST)

Because of impacts from the weekend ice storm in much of our state, TPA has extended the 2026 Tennessee State Press Contests (for the Newsroom) deadline to Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. The rules and entry information are available as a PDF click to download the Rules Brochure PDF. The categories remain the same as in 2025.

Contact TPA with questions by emailing rgentile@tnpress.com.

2025 TPA Ideas Contest Winners Announced

The Tennessee Press Association (TPA) announced the 2025 Ideas Contest awards on Friday, Oct. 17, during the TPA Revenue Summit in Chattanooga.

The 2025 Ideas Contest Best of Show was awarded to the Chattanooga Times Free Press for its Best Special Section entry, “Best of the Best.” PDF of entry The entry is a special section of its readers’ choice award winners.

The First Runner-up was awarded to The Bledsonian-Banner of Pikeville for its entry in Best Special Section, “Women in Business.” PDF of entry

The Second Runner-up was awarded to the Farragut Press for its entry in Best Feature Page or Pages (a themed page or pages with multiple advertisers). The entry is a wrap “ Remembering Fallen Heroes” that was published for Memorial Day. PDF of entry

There were 308 entries from 19 newspapers in the 2025 contest, which has three divisions and 41 categories. The divisions are Non-daily newspapers less than 2,300 circulation; Non-daily newspapers with 2,300 total circulation and above; and Daily newspapers.

The entries were for work published in 2024. TPA partnered with the Arkansas Press Association for the judging, which resulted in 127 awards.

The newspaper with the most awards was the Farragut Press with 22 awards, followed by The Bledsonian-Banner and the McNairy County News of Selmer, with 12 awards each.

The awards are for advertising, circulation and marketing.

Link to the PDF slideshow of the winners

Link to the list of winners