Archived PNA Foundation Training

Biosolids End Use Success Stories – Oct. 24, 2024 (E1024)

The PNA Foundation is proud to join forces with the Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Association for this webinar. You will hear from three organizations who have developed innovative partnerships and sustainable programs to beneficially use Class A and B, nutrient-rich, biosolids. Class A and B biosolids must meet federal and state requirements for treatment requirements. The use of Class A and B biosolids for agriculture, soil amendments, and mine reclamation provides economic and environmental benefits, such as offsetting disposal costs and restoring natural habitats. The speakers will showcase the challenges and opportunities of avoiding the traditional landfill end use option.

Good Grief: Access to Coroner Records – July 19, 2023 (E0719)

As a reporter or editor, are you finding access to your county coroner records closed as tightly as a casket? Is it difficult to get the cause and manner of suspicious deaths in your community? During this session, media lawyers Melissa Melewsky and Paula Knudsen Burke will explain what information you are entitled to and what to do when the public’s right to know is endangered. Open records access to coroner reports as well as recent challenges will be reviewed. Presented in conjunction with Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

EPA’s Draft Risk Assessment of PFOA/PFOS in Biosolids – April 15, 2025 (E0415)

Risk Assessment Process and Background, Information & Risk Communications – A panel of experts discusses the EPA’s draft risk assessment of PFOA/PFOS in Biosolids; from the risk assessment process, the publication of the draft risk assessment for PFAS in biosolids, and how to communicate and comment on the results. This session is brought to you by the Mid Atlantic Biosolids Association.

Ethics for Today’s Journalist – Feb. 17, 2023 (E0217)

Ethical challenges abound in today’s media world. What should you do? Newsroom veterans as well as inexperienced journalists can face many moral dilemmas. From gun violence to war to political divisions to social media posts and more, violent, unsettling and unprecedented news seems almost constant. How can you make better decisions about what you publish or don’t publish while serving the public good and informing your communities?

Keystone Winners Series: How Best to Tell Your Stories – Aug. 22, 2023 (E0822)

Dive into visual storytelling tools. This session will demonstrate how photos, graphics and sidebars add to your “complete” storytelling as well as what roles each individual in the newsroom plays in the process. Reporters will receive tips on how to incorporate visuals that enhance the readership of their stories (through design) in print and online. This session is in conjunction with the PA News Leaders Association. 

Covering Mental Health Issues – Mar. 23, 2023 (E0323)

Recently, Senator John Fetterman made headlines for seeking treatment for clinical depression. Every day, across the state and country, individuals, families and communities are grappling with the impact of mental health illnesses. Through this webinar you will learn from award-winning journalist Brett Sholtis how to report on this important and powerful topic, covering people as people.

PA’s Right to Know Law: Best Practices for Access – Feb. 11, 2025 (E0211)

During this jam-packed session, we’ll not only review the basics of the Right-to-Know Law but also explain how to minimize delays and maximize access. Topics to be covered include tips for drafting a successful RTKL request, navigating the administrative appeal process, benefits of mediation and how to enforce grants of access. We’ll also review important court decisions and pending cases and discuss pending legislation. Presenter: Melissa Melewsky, Esq., Media Law Counsel, PA NewsMedia Association

Become an All-Star through Your Social Media Profile – Jan. 16, 2024 (E0116)

Learn social media etiquette, original content generation tips and the essentials to build a professional LinkedIn profile. Gabby Pogel, founder of Crescent Moon Media and social media manager with PNA and MANSI Media, will help you discover the tools needed to optimize your LinkedIn profile. You can increase engagements, leads and connections. Presenter: Gabby Pogel, founder of Crescent Moon Media and social media manager with PNA and MANSI Media

Get the Scoop on the SpotlightNews App – Mar. 29, 2023 (E0329)

Looking to reach more readers, especially younger and possible lifelong news consumers? Register for this informational session to learn more about how you can easily draw students and young readers to your news site. SpotlightNews is a next-generation news application built to engage college students while helping digitally transform local papers. Spotlight will help drive incremental revenue and provide you with a young audience at no cost. With over 250 partners, including the Centre Daily Times, Bloomberg News, Reuters, Miami Herald and The Daily Collegian, Spotlight supports publishers of all sizes by offering them national reach on a digital platform. We invite you to learn more and to consider this opportunity. Presented by: Tamer Morsy, CEO and Founder, SpotlightNews

The Sunshine Act: Pennsylvania’s Open Meetings Law – March 19, 2025 (E0319)

This session reviews PA’s Sunshine Act with a focus on frequently asked questions and common issues. Melissa Melewsky, PNA’s Media Law Counsel, explains Pennsylvania’s Open Meetings Law, including reporters’ most common concerns such as remote meetings, agenda requirements, misuse of executive sessions, public comment restrictions, deliberations via email/texts and pursuing penalties for alleged violations. Presenter: Melissa Melewsky, Esq., Media Law Counsel, PA NewsMedia Association

Local News Webinar: Get to Know Your Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) – April 25, 2024 (E0425)

The PNA Foundation is proud to join forces with the Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Association for another interesting and informative webinar. Journalists will learn to better understand the basics of water and wastewater treatment operations and facilities in the commonwealth. Water and wastewater treatment teams from Hermitage, Lancaster Area Sewer Authority, and Mechanicsburg Borough will present and provide both a general overview of the start to finish process, as well as the unique projects and technologies that they use to better serve their communities. Learn more about the innovative processes and projects, from recycling food waste to create energy, to creating biosolids-based fertilizers through drying and composting techniques. The group will also cover challenges and areas of opportunity for greater community knowledge and involvement with the facilities that serve them every day.

Advertising Laws: The Top Ten (and more) Legal Issues You Should Know – Jan. 21, 2025 (E0121)

Melissa Melewsky, PNA’s Media Law Counsel, offers valuable information about laws that govern advertising. She’ll highlight some of the most common questions from the PNA Legal Hotline and offer advice on fair housing and fair employment laws as well as laws governing medical marijuana, CBD, tobacco and vaping products, beer and liquor, contests and gambling, bingo and smalls games of chance, trademark, copyright, and more. Melissa will also be happy to answer questions from attendees on these, and other, issues impacting advertising staff.

Audience Development Webinar:  Segmentation model of print subscribers – April 9, 2024 (E0409)

Discover how Advance Local developed a segmentation model which creates a long-term strategy for the evolution of subscribers from print to digital. This initiative also maximizes retention and revenue of subscribers who are less likely to convert from print to digital. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore digital subscription sales strategies. Brought to you in collaboration with the Inter-State Circulation Managers’ Association. Presenter: David Elder, print consumer revenue senior manager, analytics and reporting, Advance Local.

Multi-Channel Digital Marketing: How to Develop a Cohesive Strategy for Subscription Growth – Feb. 1, 2024 (E0201)

Explore the critical elements in developing, implementing, and monitoring a successful multi-channel campaign, enabling customers to interact seamlessly across their chosen platforms. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn best practices for digital subscription sales. Brought to you in collaboration with the Inter-State Circulation Managers’ Association. Presenter: Sylvia Rodriguez, senior director of digital sales and marketing, Advance Local

The Nuts & Bolts of Exceptional Dispatch – Aug. 31, 2023 (E0831)

More and more newspapers are being delivered to subscribers through the USPS. Converting to postal distribution can be challenging as can maintaining timely mail deliveries in your community. Learn best practices for working with your local post office, with insights from Bob Brown of the USPS. Also hear from Holly Lubart of the News/Media Alliances, who will share a national perspective on postal reform, its effect on local mail and what your advocates in D.C. are doing to help.

Independent Contractors: Recent Legal Developments and How They Affect the Newspaper Industry – June 6, 2024 (E0606)

Brought to you in collaboration with the Inter-State Circulation Managers’ Association. Independent contractor issues and their relationship to tax and other laws have long been studied by newspaper circulation professionals. In this webinar, we will discuss recent legal developments, including the U.S. Department of Labor’s new rule on independent contractors. We also will discuss best practices regarding independent contractors to identify and minimize potential legal risk. Presented by Adam Long, a labor and employment attorney and Member of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 

Revenue Webinar: The Future of Obituaries – Feb. 6, 2024 (E0206)

Discover new insights into this vital obit category. From building better relationships with funeral homes to setting up self-serve platforms, you’ll learn how to navigate the changing landscape. Hosted by veteran media expert Ron Speechley, this 30-minute educational session will use insights from more than 1,500+ newspapers to: explain the obituary’s historical roots as vital community news; address how generational shifts are impacting end-of-life traditions including obit placement and provide practical ideas on how to be the main destination for anyone looking to place or read obituaries. Presenter: Ron Speechley, VP Sales, Legacy.com

Building Revenue: Finding that needle in the billion dollar political golden haystack – Jan. 9, 2024 (E0109)

Every two years it seems that the money spent by candidates and advocacy groups just keeps growing – regardless of what else may be happening. This election will be no exception – in fact, it will set records… again! This webinar will take a look at what’s happening in Pennsylvania, what races are in play, how to take advantage of a database of candidates, issue groups and their buying agencies, why you should call on your state political party chairs, and a couple of ideas from other newspapers across the country that have proved successful in generating new revenue from this multi-billion dollar category. Presenter: John Kimball, Managing General Partner, Founder and CEO of The John Kimball Group

Revenue Webinar: Prospect, Excite & Sell Using Data Customers Want – Feb. 21, 2024 (E0221)

This webinar, featuring renowned Sammy Papert, will introduce you to the power of Pulse Research. Even if you’re familiar with Pulse, take some time to learn more about how its data can be used. Through this session, all PNA members receive one complimentary QR teaser using any category and any geography desired. Presenter: S. W. (Sammy) Papert, III, president and founder, Wormhole

Fundraising Events in 2025 with The Post and Courier (SC) – Jan. 23, 2025 (E0123)

Are you looking to increase your fundraising and philanthropy efforts for 2025? Then this is the webinar for you! The Post and Courier raised over $150,000 at its 4th Annual Preserving Community Journalism Fundraiser on December 3, 2024, held at The Joe stadium in Charleston. Over 100 attendees gathered for an evening of socializing, networking, and supporting local journalism. The event featured small group interactions with reporters, presentations by key leaders, and an excerpt from an upcoming documentary about the newspaper’s growth. Donations, including a successful ‘call to heart’ auction, contributed to the funds raised. This marks the largest amount raised in the event’s history. Key presenter: Claire Linney, director of philanthropy, The Post and Courier.

Lost in the Weeds: An Employer’s Guide to Navigating Medical Marijuana in the Workplace – May 25, 2023 (E0523)

The legalization of medical marijuana has left many employers uncertain about their legal rights and duties regarding on- and off-site use of marijuana. In Pennsylvania particularly, the case law is still developing, and it can be unclear how the medical marijuana laws interact with other employment law requirements in the state. This webinar will explore the current legal landscape for medical marijuana use in the workplace and provide practical advice for areas including workers’ compensation, drug testing, employment discrimination, and best practices for creating a safe work environment.

Reporting Basics: Navigating Local Journalism – April 14, 2025

Explore the core skills every journalist needs, including how to hit the pavement to uncover compelling stories, find and cultivate reliable sources, conduct effective interviews, and navigate the latest copyright laws and ethical considerations. This webinar will provide valuable insights to help you tell impactful, well-researched stories that resonate with your audience.

Writing Primer – Part 1: Mastering Story Structure and AP Style – May 12, 2025

Strong writing is the foundation of great journalism. During this webinar, the key elements of story organization and structure will be broken down to help you craft clear, compelling narratives that engage readers. You will also gain a solid understanding of Associated Press Style, the industry standard for news writing, and hear insider tips from experienced journalists on how to refine your writing for accuracy and impact.

Writing Primer – Part 2: From Lede to Publication – Writing, Vetting and Legal Considerations – June 9, 2025

Impactful journalism goes beyond great storytelling, it requires accuracy, fairness and legal awareness. In this second writing primer, we will cover the essentials of writing compelling ledes, developing strong story ideas and angles, and ensuring your reporting is both engaging and responsible. Learn how to vet your story, conduct a pre-publication review and avoid legal pitfalls, including the risks of defamation.

It is a Balancing Act – Managing Multiple Roles – July 14, 2025

Today’s journalists wear many hats. In this session, we will explore strategies for effectively executing duties that range from writing and editing to capturing compelling visuals and engaging audiences on social media. We will also discuss how to leverage digital platforms for storytelling and best practices for sharing content responsibly.

The Associated Press offers a variety of helpful sessions. Check out their available archived webinars and other training resources at AP Academy.

The Online Media Campus has been providing high-quality webinars for many years, all of which have been recorded and are available for purchase. Visit their website for more information.