May Mid Month Update

Stories can walk the line of pity and praise

As I was browsing some of the other publications produced by press associations across the country, I ran across an intriguing column.

The premise of the column was that local newspapers sometimes throw around simple human endeavors as triumphs of the spirit.

Being a veteran of the community journalism battles, I was always searching for the elusive, heart-warming story. People overcoming physical limitations are usually fair game. But this columnist raised the idea that perhaps we, as community journalists, are bringing too much glory to people simply doing what they are supposed to be doing. This columnist raises the idea that a person battling cancer isn’t necessarily a hero but is simply a person undertaking in the most primal drive in a human being — fighting to stay alive.

Click Here for FULL story

Economic development conference held

Smaller towns used to attract jobs — particularly manufacturing jobs — with their lower land prices and tax rates. These workers were skilled enough to get the job done but could be offered less than big-city folks.

Al Cross, the director of the University of Kentucky based Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, said the scenario ha changed: Globalization has erased the need for a cheaper local workforce. Plus broadband technology can be harder to come by in the country.

Click Here for FULL story

Tax Situation With Newspaper Inserts

Several Kentucky newspapers as well advertising agencies and printing firms in other states have inquired recently to KPA about newspaper inserts -- when the Kentucky use tax is required and who is required to pay the use tax to the state.

I have been in contact with Ricky Haven, director, Division of Sales and Use Tax for the Kentucky Department of Revenue. I gave him some possible scenarios involving printing plants, newspapers and newspaper inserts and asked him to respond to each scenario about the responsibility of reporting and paying the use tax.

Click Here for FULL story

Save $$$ on Sales Tax on Circulation

It never hurts to remind you, and to inform new newspaper folks about Kentucky's sales tax on circulation and more specifically, a way to save money on that sales tax due.

Kentucky charges a 6 percent sales tax on circulation of newspapers. There are two responsible parties for paying the sales tax:

Click Here for FULL story

Quad-state Nie Conference Scheduled

For the past few years, KPA has been encouraging Kentucky newspapers to participate in the three-state Newspapers in Education Conference at Brown County (IN) State Park. The conference brings together NIE coordinators or interested newspaper staff members from Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio and this year, NIE coordinators from Illinois will be joining us to make this a Quad-State NIE Conference.

This year’s conference is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, June 22 and 23.

Click Here for FULL story

Special Election In District 13

Don White, general manager of the Anderson News and the elected KPA/KPS Board of Directors member for District 13, has announced his retirement and will be leaving the newspaper at the end of the month.

Click Here for FULL story