Registration is Open for Fall Classes at the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications

The Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications is offering a lineup of free and low-cost classes on topics such as writing about personal milestones, making sense of Substack, learning how to make use of AI, and First Amendment rights around protest and assembly.

Classes begin September 17.

Pre-registration is required, and class sizes are limited

FREE IN-PERSON CLASSES 

Turning Points: Writing about milestones and how they shape our lives
Four Wednesdays: September 17 and 24, October 1 and 8 | 6-7:30 p.m.| Free
Explore and write about defining life moments through essays, fiction, or poetry.  Great for new and experienced writers alike with instructor Kimberly Marlowe Hartnett.

Getting Started With Substack
Two Wednesdays: September 17 and 24 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Free
Learn how to use Substack to share your writing, grow an audience, and create interactive blog posts using simple, free tools with Instructor Zac Little.

New Hampshire Politics: The State Sport
Wednesday, September 17 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Free
Explore NH’s special role in presidential elections, polling trends, and grassroots politics and why civic engagement matters with Instructors Andrew Smith and Josh McElveen. 

AI Essentials for Small Biz & Nonprofits: Work Smarter, Connect Better
Four Thursdays: September 18 and 25, October 2 and 9 | 5:30-7 p.m.| Free
Use AI like ChatGPT to write faster, boost outreach, save time and streamline tasks. No tech skills needed. Ideal for nonprofits and small businesses with Instructor Gail Zona.

FREE ONLINE CLASSES

How to Become a Local Government Watchdog
Two Thursdays: September 18 and 25 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Free
Learn to track issues you care about, access information, get involved locally, build networks, and learn how to influence change through civic engagement with Instructor Miranda Spivack.

Marches and Media: First Amendment Freedoms in Action
Thursday, October 9 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Free
Understand your First Amendment rights at protests, what you can record, and how laws impact speech, press, and assembly in real-life events with Attorney Kathleen Sullivan. 

PRO SERIES

For those looking to deepen their professional skills, the Loeb School offers the following Pro Series options providing in-depth, in-person training at an affordable price.

Lights, Camera, Scroll: Creating Video Content That Connects
In person | Four Wednesdays: September 17 and 24, October 1 and 8 | 6-7:30 p.m.| $39
Learn to create short- and long-form video that boosts engagement, builds trust, and works with your brand across YouTube, Instagram & more with Instructor Victoria Carrington Chavez.

Public Relations Workshop, sponsored by the Yankee Chapter of PRSA
In person |Friday, November 14 | 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon | $59 (includes light breakfast)
Build PR skills in this half-day workshop covering strategy, crisis communications, media relations, and internal/external best practices in this half-day workshop with Instructor Robin Schell. 

In-person classes are at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College, 5 St. Anselm Drive, Manchester (GPS address). Email loebschool@loebschool.org with any questions. 

The Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications, Inc. is a nonprofit with a mission to promote and defend the First Amendment and fosters interest, integrity and excellence in journalism and other forms of communication by educating students of various backgrounds and providing them with the tools and knowledge to improve their skills. Learn more about the School and register for classes at loebschool.org.

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Connect, Collaborate, Celebrate: Summer Journalist Meetup Schedule Announced

The summer 2025 journalist meetup series is in full swing, bringing together media professionals from across the region for fun, connection, and camaraderie.

Next up:
📍 Wednesday, August 20 – Dani’s Queer Bar
Meetup with media professionals at Dani’s Queer Bar, 909 Boylston St., Boston from 6–8 p.m. This event is open to all — everyone is welcome!

Upcoming Meetup Schedule:

  • 📍 Tuesday, September 9 – Trivia at The Dubliner
    Gather with fellow journalists at The Dubliner pub (by the Government Center MBTA stop) from 6–8 p.m. for a night of friendly trivia competition and networking.

  • 📍 Tuesday, October 14 – Tiki Tuesday at Tiki Rock
    Join fellow media pros from 6–8 p.m. at Tiki Rock on Broad Street, Boston for a tropical-themed evening of conversation and cocktails.

These events are open to all journalists and media professionals in the region and are hosted by a coalition of journalism organizations:
New England Society of News Editors, Boston Association of Black Journalists, AAJA-New England, NAHJ-New England, and NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, with support from the New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA).

Whether you’re a veteran reporter or just launching your career, these meetups offer a welcoming space to connect, collaborate, and build community.

📩 RSVP or questions? Contact Emily Sweeney at emily.sweeney@globe.com

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On Constitution Day Sept. 17, NENPA Mobilizes Region-Wide Press Freedom Education Effort

The NENPA Press Freedom and Local News Committee is taking its next major step in protecting press freedom and strengthening local journalism: launching a region-wide public education campaign on Constitution Day, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

The campaign — Know Your News: Understanding Press Freedom and the Value of Local News — will roll out a series of in-depth, reader-friendly stories and ready-to-use social media content designed to inform the public about their rights, the role of the press, and the essential role local news plays in civic life.

The effort is aimed at giving newspapers across New England the tools to educate their audiences on topics ranging from “What the First Amendment Really Says About the Press” and “How You Can Request Public Records” to “How to Spot Trustworthy News” and “What If Your Town Lost Its Local News?”

A Month-Long, Four-Week Series
 The campaign will unfold over four themed weeks:

  • Week 1 – Press Freedom and Why We Should Care
    Stories explaining First Amendment protections, open meetings and records laws, and what’s at stake when press access is denied.
  • Week 2 – Building News Literacy and Trust
    Coverage on identifying credible sources, understanding bias, and how schools and parents can teach media literacy.
  • Week 3 – Understanding Local News
    Insight into how local newsrooms work, how editorial decisions are made, how AI is used, and why local journalism matters.
  • Week 4 – Solutions for the Future
    Reporting on communities rebuilding news coverage, innovative funding models, and ways readers can support their local outlets.

How to Participate

Editors, publishers, and marketing managers are invited to join the NENPA Press Freedom and Local News Collaborative, which will serve as the distribution hub for the full series of stories and social media assets. Participants will receive:

  • Weekly story packages with art and social media posts ready for print and digital publication
  • Coordinated launch timing to maximize regional impact
  • Opportunities to share your own local reporting connected to press freedom and local news

Please complete this short sign-up form for interested publications to join the Collaborative and be ready to start publishing content on Constitution Day.

By working together, we can make this campaign a powerful, unified call to protect press freedom and support the local news organizations that keep our communities informed, engaged, and strong.

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NEFAC Launches Legal Fund with Support From John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

The New England First Amendment Coalition is launching a legal fund to provide support for journalism and open government cases.

The fund is being established with a new investment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

“For nearly 20 years, our coalition has been the region’s leading advocate for First Amendment freedoms and open government. We educate New Englanders about the vital roles journalism and government transparency play across the nation,” NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan said. “With the help of Knight Foundation, we can now expand our litigation efforts and better serve democracy in the region.”

The need for a regional legal fund is growing. Journalists are encountering more obstacles in their pursuit of essential public-interest reporting. Accessing public records or court documents, protecting confidential sources and obtaining information from public officials are all growing more complex, time-consuming and expensive. In many cases, legal action becomes the only viable option. For local newsrooms and individual journalists, however, the costs are often prohibitive.

Read more

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Register Now for the Fall Leadership Conference in Northampton, MA on September 25-26

We’re excited to invite you to the 2025 Fall Leadership Conference, hosted jointly by NENPA and the New York Press Association, happening September 25–26 at the beautiful Hotel Northampton in Northampton, Massachusetts.

This event offers invaluable networking opportunities for news leaders from across the North East. It is designed for publishers, editors, and senior staff, and will feature:

• Integrating AI tools into newsroom workflows
• Elevate audience interaction and improve subscription renewals
• Leveraging AI assistance tools to boost your news organization’s human intelligence
• Going beyond email – gaining audience engagement and revenue with newsletters
• Tech stacks and how they can enable success and not be a hindrance
• Publishers’ Roundtable for candid idea sharing and collaboration

Now is the time to register and secure your hotel room before space fills up. Rooms are limited!

All awards from our recent Newspaper Awards program—including New England Newspaper of the Year, Publick Occurrences, and the new A-Mark Prizes—will be presented at a special luncheon on September 26 during the conference.

Visit the conference page for full details and to register today:

https://www.nenpa.com/new-england-newspaper-conference/

We can’t wait to see you in Northampton this fall!

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Fellowship Applications Now Available for Gloria L. Negri First Amendment Institute

The New England First Amendment Coalition will host its 15th annual investigative journalism institute from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26 at Boston University’s College of Communication.

Named after the late trail-blazing Boston Globe journalist, the Gloria L. Negri First Amendment Institute (formerly the New England First Amendment Institute) is an intensive training program on freedom of information law and investigative reporting techniques.

The Institute is offered each year tuition-free and exclusively to 25 working New England journalists. It is open to New England Reporters, Editors, and Producers. More than 350 journalists from 100 local news organizations have benefited from the program since it began in 2011.

The deadline to apply is August 29. Application materials can be obtained here.

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Fight Night July 30 at City Winery Boston: featuring author and former Boston Herald reporter Dave Wedge and author/Boston Globe reporter Emily Sweeney

Immersive multi-media show WEDNESDAY, JULY 30th to feature never-before-told Herald v. Globe war stories, shocking true crime tales and thrilling details of their books on world champion boxer Marvelous Marvin Hagler and wrestler Dropkick Murphy.

The storied rivalry between the Boston Herald and Boston Globe will take center stage at City Winery Boston on Wednesday, July 30, when former Herald reporter Dave Wedge and Globe reporter Emily Sweeney delve deep into the newspaper rivalry, share shocking true crime tales and reveal thrilling details of their books on Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Dropkick Murphy. 

The hard-nosed Boston street reporters will swap behind-the-scenes tales of some of Boston’s most iconic news stories and how the newspapers battled it out to get the big scoop. Along the way, they’ll give a rare and unfiltered glimpse into the wild cast of characters at each paper and reveal the inner workings of the Herald’s former headquarters on Wingo Way and the Globe’s longtime bunker on Morrissey Boulevard. 

“This will be an historic and irreverent night of storytelling about some of the city’s most memorable news events and wildest newspaper moments,” Wedge said. “From literal murders in the newsroom to getting chased out of crime scenes by cops and gangsters, we’ll reveal the truth behind the country’s fiercest newspaper rivalry – and it truly is stranger than fiction.” 

Wedge and Sweeney will also be bringing the audience into their books about Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Dropkick Murphy in a multi-media experience produced by MediaBoss, an award-winning creative agency known for delivering unforgettable events and original storytelling. There will also be a meet-and-greet and book signing following the show. Books provided by Boston’s Parkside Bookshop. 

WHAT: Fight Night: featuring Dave Wedge and Emily Sweeney 

WHEN: Wednesday, July 30 at 7:30 PM / 5:30 PM Doors 

WHERE: City Winery Boston, 80 Beverly St, Boston, MA 02114 

INFO: Tickets are on sale now at citywinery.com/boston 

ABOUT DAVE WEDGE 

Dave Wedge is a New York Times bestselling author who was an award-winning investigative journalist for the Boston Herald for 14 years. His book about the 2013 Boston Marathon attacks, ‘Boston Strong: A City’s Triumph Over Tragedy,’ was adapted for the 2017 movie Patriots Day. He has written bestsellers about Tom Brady and “Deflategate,” Whitey Bulger and John Lennon. His 2022 book Riding with Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagans Motorcycle Gang is in development as a feature film. His latest, “Blood & Hate: The Untold Story of Marvelous Marvin Hagler’s Battle for Glory,” is in development as a feature film with Academy Award-winning actor/producer Sam Rockwell and actress/producer Rosie Perez. He is currently working on “Cop Town,” a true crime thriller about the Karen Read murder case in Canton, Massachusetts. 

ABOUT EMILY SWEENEY 

Emily Sweeney is a staff reporter at The Boston Globe. Her “Blotter Tales” column appears in the Metro section of the paper every Sunday and she recently launched “The Cold Case Files,” a new series and newsletter about unsolved murders. She’s the author of several nonfiction books, including “Boston Organized Crime,” “Gangland Boston,” and “Dropkick Murphy: A Legendary Life.” She has been featured on many TV and radio programs, making appearances on BBC Radio, Court TV, the Travel Channel, History Channel and has been in many documentaries, including the Netflix series, “How to Become a Mob Boss.” 

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The clock is ticking – final New England Newspaper Awards deadline this Friday!

We know many of you asked for more time to complete your entries for the New England Newspaper Awards. Good news: you have it—but not for long! The final deadline is this Friday, July 18, 2025.

This is your last chance to enter before judging begins in August. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your work recognized at the 2025 Fall Leadership Conference in Northampton, MA.

Below you’ll find the full list of prestigious award categories, with links to past winners and detailed entry information.

Don’t forget to check out our exciting new A-Mark Prizes, with up to $15,000 per state in monetary awards open to all New England journalists – including freelancers and non-members! All entries for the Publick Occurrences Award and the New England First Amendment Award will automatically be considered for the A-Mark Prizes.

Need help? Have questions? Don’t hesitate to ask! We’re here to help make sure your entry is complete. Reach out anytime to Linda Conway at l.conway@nenpa.com or Tara Cleary at t.cleary@nenpa.com.

Learn more about the Newspaper of the Year Awards

Not a NENPA member? It is not too late to join this year and participate in any of the New England Newspaper Awards. Check out our membership options and application form for more information about joining.

Entries are being accepted for these prestigious awards and prizes:

New England Newspaper of the Year

This is a one-of-a-kind competition – it is the only distinction of its kind in the newspaper industry that audience members judge. New England newspaper readers will be appointed to evaluate the entries from a news consumer point of view and decide which deserves the honor of being named Newspaper of the Year.

NENPA member publications are invited to enter five categories: Weekday newspapers, Sunday newspapers, Weekly community newspapers, Specialty Publications, and Online News Sites.

Publications will be assigned to a competitive division within their category after all entries are received (i.e., small, medium, and large weeklies, small, medium, and large dailies, small, medium, and large Sunday/weekend publications, local and regional news sites.)

Publick Occurrences Awards

This award recognizes the best work that New England newspapers produce each year— whether it’s individual or team stories, series, spot news coverage, columns, or photojournalism published in print or online during the contest period, echoing the spirit of America’s first newspaper.

Allan B. Rogers Editorial Award

Recognizes editorial writing that makes a compelling, reasoned argument and contributes to the editorial voice of a publication. The competition is open to local subject editorials from a wide variety of newspapers in New England, regardless of circulation size and frequency of publication.

New England First Amendment Award

Presented to individuals or organizations that champion freedom of the press and the public’s right to know, often at great personal or institutional risk. This award will recognize a New England newspaper for its exceptional work in upholding the First Amendment and/or educating the public about it. Entrants will be judged for the quality of reporting, editorials, commentary, and/or legal challenges that illuminate or uphold the First Amendment.

AP Sevellon Brown New England Journalist of the Year

The New England Society of News Editors bestows an annual award to an individual who produces outstanding journalism in New England. Awarded to a journalist for outstanding reporting, ethics, and leadership in news coverage over the past year.

Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award

This special award, which is named in honor of longtime New England journalist and former New England Press Association Executive Director Bob Wallack, recognizes an individual who has an exceptional record of commitment to community journalism.

The Cornerstone Award

Designed to recognize and honor unsung heroes in our news organizations who meaningfully and significantly contribute to the accomplishments of our publications without recognition. These individuals are the lifeblood of our operations, consistently providing the support and commitment needed to keep our departments and publications thriving.

New England Journalism Educator of the Year Award

Recognizes a professor at a university or college in the six-state region who is doing outstanding work to prepare journalists to lead our newspaper organizations into the future. Entries are free for this award, and NENPA membership is not required to enter. Each college in New England is entitled to submit one nomination for the award.

A-Mark Prizes

Recognizes and honors outstanding investigative journalism that reveals hidden truths, holds power to account, or drives public awareness or reform. The awards will reward ambitious, well-researched reporting that may expose a wrong, hold powerful individuals accountable, or explore a complex problem, issue, or subject. We will award up to $15,000 in each New England state. This contest is open to journalists based in New England whose primary medium is the written word, including reporters, columnists, and investigative journalists working in newspapers and online news sites. Entries are free for the A-Mark Prizes, and NENPA membership is not required to enter. All Publick Occurrences and First Amendment entries will automatically be entered for consideration in the A-Mark Prizes.

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2025 Journalism Educator of the Year nominations now being accepted!

Nominations are now being accepted for the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s “New England Journalism Educator of the Year” award.

The award recognizes a professor at a university or college in our six-state region who is doing outstanding work in preparing aspiring journalists who will lead our newspaper organizations into the future. Each college in New England is entitled to submit one nomination for the award.

We’d be very pleased to include a professor from your school in this year’s competition. Simply write a letter in support of someone on your staff who is doing extraordinary work with journalism students. To see the previous recipients, please click here. Please explain why you think your nominee merits special recognition, and feel free to provide examples or supporting material if appropriate. Also, please provide contact information for your nominee, so that we can follow up with questions and notify them if they are selected.

Entries are free; please fill out the entry form to enter your nominee for the award and upload a PDF of your nomination letter and supporting materials.

Don’t hesitate to let us know if questions come up or if you need further information to submit your nomination. If there is someone else in your department who should be notified about this, please forward us the appropriate person’s contact information or simply pass along this note.

Thanks very much, we’re looking forward to reading the nomination letters and learning about the wonderful work that journalism professors in New England are doing. Until we’re back in touch, very best regards!

Judging will take place in August. Winners will be notified in September.

All awards will be presented at the 2025 Fall Leadership Conference in Northampton, MA, on September 25-26, 2025, at the Hotel Northampton.

This event also recognizes the very best editorial work produced in New England, including New England Newspaper of the Year, New England First Amendment Award, Journalist of the Year, Allan B. Rogers Editorial Award, Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award, Publick Occurrences Awards, A-Mark Prizes and The Cornerstone Award.

For further information or questions, contact students@nenpa.com.

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Deadline Extended – New England Newspaper Awards Program!

We have heard the news from the messages in our inbox that you need more time to enter the NENPA New England Newspaper Awards Program. No worries, we have you! The deadline has been extended one week to Friday, July 18, 2025. Please note this will be the final deadline to ensure enough time to judge all the award categories.

Check out the list below of prestigious awards and prizes open for entries, with links to each award page on our website, listing previous award winners, and more information.

Spread the word to all editors and journalists at your publication to know about our exciting new series of awards, the A-Mark Prizes, which will provide up to $90,000 in monetary awards to journalists and newsrooms. The A-Mark Prizes are free to enter and open to all New England journalists, including freelancers, regardless of NENPA member status.

All entries for the Publick Occurrences Award and New England First Amendment Award will automatically be entered into the A-Mark Prizes.

To be considered, fill out the online entry form and upload the required documents for each award from the contest year (June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025).

Judging will take place in August. Winners will be notified in September, and all awards will be presented at the 2025 Fall Leadership Conference in Northampton, MA, on September 25-26, at the Hotel Northampton.

AWARDS INCLUDE:

New England Newspaper of the Year

Publick Occurrences Awards

Allan B. Rogers Editorial Award

New England First Amendment Award

AP Sevellon Brown New England Journalist of the Year

Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award

The Cornerstone Award

New England Journalism Educator of the Year Award

A-Mark Prizes

Questions? Please contact Linda Conway at l.conway@nenpa.com.

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