SPJ's national convention just 4 hours' drive from us ...

The 2008 SPJ national convention is in Atlanta. It's coming up Sept. 4-7 at the Hyatt Regency on Peachtree Street. Sign up now!

Leaf-Chronicle, Tennessean, Southern Standard take top newspaper awards from TPA

From the TPA press release:

The Leaf-Chronicle also earned the most first-place honors with eight. It won for make-up and appearance, local features, best personal humor column, best spot news story, best education reporting, investigative reporting, public service and best sports photograph.

Channel 5 sold to New York media company

Landmark is selling the station to Bonten Media Group. No price disclosed.

Governor signs into law changes in public records statutes

They include a seven-day deadline for records custodians to respond to records requests.

Cleveland alt-weekly chief to lead 'Scene'

Pete Kotz will take the helm on July 1, outgoing Scene editor Liz Garrigan writes:

I know Pete from editors' meetings and conventions and can say unequivocally that he's a wonderful guy, a talented journalist and a good soul, if not the "dangerously handsome man" he claims to be. He has five kids, loves to "bust a phrase," holds dear the value of a great story, and prefers to chase his whiskey with beer. He's a rabble-rouser of the best sort whose wardrobe is even worse than Jeff Woods'.

Painting pictures and asking their questions

Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle publisher Gene Washer recalls a blind friend who gave him some good advice as a young reporter: "You’ve got a paint a picture of what the game was like for them and answer all the questions they may have asked.”

Scene's Pulle to swim Cumberland on Thursday

He's taking part in the en masse river crossing being organized by Metro Councilwoman Emily Evans. "Good luck, Matt," Scene editor Liz Garrigan writes. "We'll be at Brandon's."