Arkansas Pro Chapter SPJ, Chapter Business, Uncategorized

Arkansas SPJ Seeks Candidates for 2025–26 Board of Directors

June 5, 2025June 19, 2025by arkansasspjLeave a Comment

Check out the following duties and responsibilities of Arkansas SPJ board members and consider running for the board or an officer position. Send a photo and a brief bio that tells why you want to serve as an SPJ leader, your history with SPJ and what you will bring to the group, including any ideas you have for the coming year, to Arkansas SPJ president Wendy Miller at wendymillerjournalist@gmail.com or ArkansasSPJ@gmail.com by Sunday, June 15.

A list of candidates and their bios will be posted at least 10 days before the election and emailed to our membership. Voting will take place via online ballot Friday, June 27, through Sunday, June 29.

Don’t want to be a board member? Get involved in one of our committees.

ARKANSAS PRO CHAPTER BOARD
Duties and Responsibilities
To ensure the health of the Society of Professional Journalists Arkansas Pro Chapter, the members of the Board of Directors must be current on national dues and be accountable for the following duties and responsibilities:

Attendance
The Board of Directors meets monthly and sometimes calls special meetings via phone or email. Board members must attend a minimum of nine monthly meetings during their July-to-June term of office, but strive to make it to all meetings in-person or by Zoom. Absence from three consecutive meetings, or four or more monthly meetings during their term, will result in the appointment of a new director to the position.

Participation
Board members must actively participate in at least one of the following chapter committees: Freedom of Information Act, Programing, Contests, Membership and Marketing, or other special committees designated by the president. Active participation may include planning at least one event in a year, advancement of the FOIA through lobbying, contributions to the chapter’s website, newsletter or social media campaigns, or other efforts determined by the board.

Diamond Awards, Diamond Journalism Awards, Uncategorized

2025 Diamond Journalism Awards Finalists Announced

May 26, 2025June 5, 2026by arkansasspjLeave a Comment

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Wendy Miller Jordan, President
arkspjcontest@gmail.com | 469.338.7062

2025 Diamond Journalism Awards Finalists Announced

A-Mark Award for Investigative Journalism prizes to be presented at banquet

LITTLE ROCK—The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 Diamond Journalism Awards and the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting.

The Diamond Awards are a regional competition that attracts entries from Arkansas and six bordering states. The A-Mark Prize, sponsored by the A-Mark Foundation, was added this year to recognize exceptional investigative reporting in Arkansas. The A-Mark Foundation will present $15,000 divided among first, second, and third place, recognizing both the reporters and their newsrooms who have been named as finalists.

This year’s contest drew 704 entries in more than 80 categories, including divisions that recognize professional journalism, student journalism, and communications. SPJ members from Connecticut judged the competitions.

The winners will be announced on Saturday, July 26, at an awards ceremony at Next Level Events, 1400 W. Markham St. in Little Rock. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m., and the program will begin immediately following. This year’s emcee will be FOX 16 Good Day Morning Anchor, Ashlei King. Tickets to the event are $35 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available. To purchase tickets, go here.

Here are the finalists listed in alphabetical order by first name in each division. If multiple entries are finalists but are credited in the same manner, the entry credit is only listed once per division.

A-MARK PRIZE FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING IN ARKANSAS

Chris Fulton, Mountain Home Observer

Jessica Ranck, KARK and FOX16

Matt Campbell, Arkansas Times

PRINT/ONLINE

Adam Friedman, Tennessee Lookout

Alex Golden, Axios Northwest Arkansas

Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press

Anita Wadhwani, Adam Friedman, Tennessee Lookout

Anthony Mariani, Fort Worth Weekly

Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate

Antoinette Grajeda, Tess Vrbin, Mary Hennigan, Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas Times Staff

Benjamin Hardy, Matt Campbell, David Ramsey, Austin Gelder, Griffin Coop, Arkansas Times

Benjamin Leger, 225 Magazine

Bobby Ross Jr., Cheryl Mann Bacon, Calvin Cockrell, The Christian Chronicle

Chad Hunter, Cherokee Phoenix

Daniel Grear, Arkansas Times

David Barham, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

David Ramsey, Jeannie Roberts, Austin Gelder, Benjamin Hardy, Arkansas Times

Donna Ladd, Mississippi Free Press

Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for AY Magazine

Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Wheelhouse Publications

Ellen Kreth, Shannon Hahn, Madison County Record

Erik Tryggestad, The Christian Chronicle

Frank Lockwood, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Holly McCall, Tennessee Lookout

Jacob Steimer, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism

Jason Brimmer, Fort Worth Weekly

Jeffrey Roedel, Hoa Vu, Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois, inRegister Magazine

Jonathan Feldman, Leader newspaper

Katherine Burgess, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism

Mark Carter, Arkansas Money & Politics

Matt Campbell, Arkansas Times

Matt Campbell, David Ramsey, Austin Gelder, Benjamin Hardy, Mary Hennigan, Phillip Powell, Arkansas Times

Mike Wickline, Josh Snyder, Neal Earley, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Milo Strain, Arkansas Times

Nick Judin, Mississippi Free Press

Nick Judin, Stacey Spiehler, Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press

Olivia Deffes, 225 Magazine

Philip Martin, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rebecca Cadenhead, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism

Richard Davenport, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Sam Stockard, Tennessee Lookout

Stephanie Maxwell Newton, PLATED: The Arkansas Dining Guide

Stephanie Smittle, Arkansas Times

Tommy Foltz, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Worth Sparkman, Axios Northwest Arkansas

Zandria F. Robinson, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism

TELEVISION

40/29 News Staff

Anna Darling, Brad Horn, KNWA/FOX24

Brittany Tarwater, WVLT News

Caitrin Assaf, KARK 4 News

Caroline Derby, Kwasi Harshaw, FOX 16 News

Chad Mira, Lauren Motley, KNWA/FOX24

Darby Bybee, 40/29 News Staff

Donna Terrell, Fox16 News

Gabe Evans, NewsWatch Ole Miss

Hannah Baker, NewsWatch Ole Miss

Kayla Davis, KFSM 5News

Kevin Kelly, Julian Jones, FOX 16 News

Kevin Kelly, FOX 16 News

Kimberely Blackburn, Bob Clausen, Donna Terrell, Laura Monteverdi, Ashlei King, Ronni Romero, Fox16 & KARK 4 News

Kimberely Blackburn, Fox 16 News

Kimberly Rusley, Steven Bui, KFDM 6

Laura Monteverdi, Alexis Burch, KARK 4 News

Laura Monteverdi, John Matthews, KARK 4 News

Lauren Motley, KNWA/FOX24 Fayetteville

Maddi Phipps, UATV

Mattison Gafner, Stephen Goodale, KARK 4 News

Micah Fletcher, Cherokee Phoenix

Michael Aaron, Mike Nielsen, KFSM

Samantha Boyd, Stephen Goodale, KARK 4 News

Seth Parenteau, NewsWatch Ole Miss

Skot Covert, KFSM

Stacie Boston, Cherokee Phoenix

KARK 4 News – Staff

Tylisa Hampton, John Matthews, KARK 4 News

Tylisa Hampton, Stephen Goodale, KARK 4 News

UATV Staff

Whitney Thomas, Stephen Goodale, KARK 4 News

WVLT Staff , WVLT News

RADIO/AUDIO

Alex Thomas, Nick Popowitch, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Daniel Breen, Josie Lenora, Little Rock Public Radio

Daniel Breen, Little Rock Public Radio

Daniel Breen, National Public Radio

Danny Wicentowski, St. Louis Public Radio

Emma Rasmussen, UATV

Josie Lenora, Little Rock Public Radio

Josie Lenora, National Public Radio

Laura Kebede-Twumasi, Christopher Blank, Marc Perrusquia, Institute for Public Service Reporting

Maggie Ryan, Little Rock Public Radio

Maggie Ryan, National Public Radio

Nathan Treece, Little Rock Public Radio

Paul Ladd, World Christian Broadcasting’s New Life station & worldchristian.org

SPECIAL TOPICS

Antoinette Grajeda, Mary Hennigan, Tess Vrbin, Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Staff

Ashli Blow, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism

Audrey Jackson, The Christian Chronicle

Cristina LaRue, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for AY Magazine

Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Mental Health Guide (AY Magazine)

Erik Tryggestad, Ted Parks, Bobby Ross Jr., The Christian Chronicle

Heather Harrison, Illan Ireland, Torsheta Jackson, Ashton Pittman, William Pittman, Nick Judin, Mississippi Free Press

Illan Ireland, Mississippi Free Press

Katti Gray, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Health in Memphis

Phillip Powell, Illan Ireland, Cassie Stephenson, Arkansas Times, Tennessee Lookout, Mississippi Free Press

Remington Miller, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Sarah DeClerk, Arkansas Money & Politics

COMMUNICATIONS

Angelita Faller, Carrie Phillips, Muriel Schrepfer, Meaghan Milliorn, Angela Parker, Benjamin Krain, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Angelita Faller, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Aprille Spivey, Arkansas Children’s Health System

Benjamin Krain, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Brittany Goff, Crafton Tull

Donnie Sewell, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts Public Information Office

Jessica Ford, APR, Arkansas Community Foundation

Maggie Butler, Crafton Tull

Staci Miller, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Community Journalism Project

Trevor Hensley, Crafton Tull

Trevor Hensley, Lindsay Young, Crafton Tull

Wendy Jordan, Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XL Team 2

VISUAL JOURNALISM

Adam Vogler, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Alison Fulton, Chris Fulton, Mountain Home Observer

Audrey Jackson, The Christian Chronicle

Chad Hunter, Cherokee Phoenix

Colin Murphey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Colin Murphey, Staci Vandagriff, Staton Breidenthal, Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Collin Richie, 225 Magazine

Donnie Sewell, Mike Kemp, Corey Alderdice, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts Public Information Office

Heather Kersten , Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Mandy Keener, Kasten Searles, Annika Shunn, Arkansas Times

Mandy Keener, Sara Reeves, Kasten Searles, Arkansas Times

Mark Dreadfulwater, Cherokee Phoenix

Melinda Gonzalez Galjour, 225 Magazine

Michael Hoge, Liz Atkinson, Heather Kersten, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois, Hoa Vu, Melinda Gonzales, Jackie Haxthausen, Stephania Campos, inRegister Magazine

Sarah Campbell-Miller, Nick Popowitch, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Web Team

Staci Vandagriff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Wendy Jordan, Diamond Roundup, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Wendy Jordan, Where We Live, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

STUDENT JOURNALISM

Ablaze Magazine Staff

Addie Jones, The Arkansas Traveler

Amelia Bridges, KLSU 91.1 FM

Ashlynn Payne, Erin Foley, Daily Mississippian

Cade Savoy, LSU Reveille

Caleb Jarreau, The Daily Beacon

Chequoia Adderley, Daily Mississippian

Drew Brent, Mary Stratton, Madison Estep, Ava Brock, Izzy Ohnmacht, Noah Carter, Cyclone Broadcasting

Editorial Board, LSU Reveille

Ethan Doan, The Arkansas Traveler

Gabriella Guillory, Jayden Slaughter, LSU Reveille

Gabriella Guillory, Payton Prichard, Kaitlyn Hoang, LSU Reveille

Ibuki Hinohara, The Herald

John Buzbee, LSU Reveille

Kyla Clark, The Poke Press

Marty Sullivan, LSU Reveille

MJ Ferguson, The Arkansas Traveler

Mohammad Tantawi, LSU Reveille

Morgan Carter, LSU Reveille

Nicole Marino, LSU Tiger TV

Patricia Caputo, LSU Tiger TV

Pierce Gentry, WUOT

Ryan Beatty, University of Tennessee for USA TODAY

Taylor Hamilton, LSU Reveille

Torie Bovie, Cate Emma Warren, LSU Reveille

TVC Staff , The Daily Beacon Staff , WUOT Staff , WUTK Staff, The Volunteer Channel, The Daily Beacon, WUOT, WUTK

CRAFT ACHIEVEMENT

Aimee Fowler, WVLT News

Caitrin Assaf, KARK 4 News

Casey Wheeless, WVLT

Colin Murphey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Katie Parker, UATV

Kevin Kelly, KLRT

Lauren Motley, KNWA/FOX24 Fayetteville

Nick Popowitch, Sarah Campbell-Miller, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Skot Covert, KTHV & KFSM

Stephanie Maxwell Newton, At Home in Arkansas

Stephen Goodale, KARK/KLRT

Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

SPECIAL AWARDS

Audrey Jackson, The Christian Chronicle

Bobby Ross Jr., The Christian Chronicle

Caleb Jarreau, The Daily Beacon

Chris Fulton, Mountain Home Observer

Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths

Ellen Kreth, Shannon Hahn, The Madison County Record

Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Jacob Steimer, Mikhaila Markham, Andrea Morales, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism

Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Shaunicy Muhammad, Mississippi Free Press

WVLT Staff

Arkansas Pro Chapter SPJ, Contest, Events, journalism, Scholarship

Arkansas SPJ awards $3,500 in scholarships at 2025 Arkansas College Media Association conference

April 13, 2025June 5, 2026by arkansasspjLeave a Comment

The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists awarded $3,500 in scholarships to eight students at the Arkansas College Media Association conference, which was hosted on April 11 at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville.

Scholarship checks were presented to the ACMA General Excellence award winners or a fellow student accepting on their behalf.

Newspaper Editor of the Year
Torrie Herrington – The Echo
University of Central Arkansas

Reporter of the Year
Chelsea Castillo – Eagle View
NorthWest Arkansas Community College

TV Anchor of the Year
Haley Shourd, – Ouachita News, OBUTV
Ouachita Baptist University

Photographer of the Year
Meghann Bledsoe
Ouachita Baptist University

TV Producer/Director of the Year
Joshua Engle, OBUTV
Ouachita Baptist University

Designer of the Year
Addie Chumley, Ouachitonian
Ouachita Baptist University

Website Editor of the Year
Sydni Worley, The Signal
Ouachita Baptist University

Yearbook Editor of the Year
Erin Key, Ouachitonian
Ouachita Baptist University

Arkansas Pro Chapter SPJ, Events, Uncategorized

UCA students to discuss Faulkner County FOIA project during March 18 webinar

March 10, 2025June 5, 2026by arkansasspjLeave a Comment

UCA students to discuss Faulkner County FOIA project during March 18 webinar

Panel to include academic, legal FOIA experts

FAULKNER COUNTY, Ark. — Arkansas SPJ partnered with the University of Central Arkansas journalism department to conduct a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) audit in Faulkner County in late 2024.

The project was inspired by a statewide FOIA audit the Log Cabin Democrat and other media outlets conducted in 1999 and a similar project at Arkansas State University in 2009. The audit aimed to test the FOIA understanding of the custodians of public records throughout the county by simply seeking some of the most common documents covered under FOIA.

On Nov. 15, 2024, students in UCA journalism classes set out to request public records from 16 agencies throughout Faulkner County. These agencies included police departments, the sheriff’s office, the health department, the school district and the city/county government. By and large, most agencies complied with FOIA without a hitch, but a couple of students ran into issues.

“We are incredibly proud of the UCA students and professors who dedicated their time to this project,” Wendy Jordan, Arkansas SPJ president, said. “FOIA is so important, and we applaud the efforts of UCA faculty and the leadership at the Log Cabin Democrat for organizing this event to ensure students gained this first-hand experience.”

The Log Cabin Democrat helped to plan the event and assisted with educating the students on the basics of FOIA before sending them into the field. Jeanette Stewart, Log Cabin Democrat editor and a board member for Arkansas SPJ, said this type of project provides valuable experience for students looking to enter the Arkansas journalism landscape.

“Learning the importance of FOIA and effectively understanding the guidelines are paramount to any journalist,” Stewart said. “These students handled themselves expertly. I can’t wait to hear them discuss it.”

Coverage of the event from the Log Cabin Democrat can be read here and coverage from the UCA’s student newspaper, The Echo can be found here. Arkansas SPJ will also host a webinar on March 18 where Torrie Herrington, Ethan Grannis and Mary LeSieur, who participated in the event, will present their findings from the project.

Additional panelists will include UCA Assistant Professor of Journalism Rich Shumate, who incorporated the audit into his advanced reporting class; and David Keith, UCA journalism lecturer, who led the statewide audit in 1999 and whose students were a part of the current project; and Fort Smith FOIA attorney Joey McCutcheon.

Arkansas SPJ treasurer and the UCA professor who spearheaded the project, Rob Moritz, will moderate the panel discussion. Moritz also serves as the Chairman of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Task Force.

“These students were eager to learn and did a fantastic job executing this audit,” Moritz. “They helped to not only test the custodians of the records’ knowledge, but help to educate those who seemed hesitant to comply. We are incredibly proud of these student volunteers.”

The webinar will be from 1:40-2:30 p.m. on Zoom. Registration is required for the event and can be completed here.

ABOUT ARKANSAS SPJ: The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is an association of journalists and journalism supporters based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The group hosts several professional development, First Amendment and journalism education events each year in addition to the annual Diamond Journalism Awards. The group also co-sponsors with the Arkansas College Media Association competitive scholarships for Arkansas journalism students. For more information, visit arkansasspj.org.

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Arkansas Pro Chapter SPJ, Contest, Diamond Awards, Diamond Journalism Awards, Events

2025 Diamond Journalism Awards Contest now accepting entries

January 20, 2025June 5, 2026by arkansasspjLeave a Comment

DEALINE EXTENDED! ENTRIES DUE BY 5 P.M. FRIDAY, MARCH 7

2025 Diamond Journalism Awards Contest now accepting entries

New A-Mark Prize offers $15K in cash for Arkansas investigative reporting

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas SPJ is proud to announce the opening of the 2025 Diamond Journalism Awards. The annual contest is open to professional and student journalists, freelancers and communications professionals.

The contest is open to Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas residents, and entries can be made through March 3.

New this year is the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting, which Arkansas SPJ has partnered with the A-Mark Foundation to present. It distributes $15,000 in cash to reporters and their newsrooms.

A-Mark winners will receive:

First place: $5,000 for the writer(s), plus $2,500 for the newsroom
Second place: $3,000 for the writer(s), $1,500 for the newsroom
Third place: $2,000 for the writer(s), $1,000 for the newsroom

The A-Mark Prize is the only Diamond Journalism Awards category limited to entries with an Arkansas connection, which means one or more of the following: (1) The winning reporter is based in Arkansas; (2) The newspaper or media outlet is based in Arkansas; or (3) The work covers Arkansas.

“We are incredibly proud to offer the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting in Arkansas through the A-Mark Foundation,” said Wendy Jordan, Arkansas SPJ president. “This is a wonderful opportunity for journalists covering Arkansas issues to be recognized and monetarily rewarded for their efforts to uncover the truth.”

All Diamond Journalism Awards entries must be published or broadcast in 2024. There are nearly 100 categories in 10 divisions ranging from traditional print and broadcast content to podcasts, communications campaigns and more. Find all of the contest categories here.

Although entrants do not have to be members of SPJ, joining the organization offers more benefits than contest entry fee discounts. If you’re interested in joining, click here.

Entry fees for Diamond Award entries are:

General Competition (Divisions 1-7)

SPJ members: $15 per entry.
Nonmembers: $25 per entry.
Student SPJ members: $10 per entry.
Student nonmembers: $15 per entry.

Craft Achievement & Diamond Awards (Divisions 8 & 9)

SPJ members: $25 per entry.
Nonmembers: $35 per entry.

A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting (Division 10)

SPJ Members and Nonmembers: $40

The Diamond Journalism Awards uses the Better BNC contest management platform for entries and judging and fees are submitted through PayPal. All finalists will be recognized at the Diamond Awards event in July in central Arkansas. A listing of finalists will be announced prior to the event.

Click here to get started. Good luck!

Chapter Business, Contest, Diamond Awards, Diamond Journalism Awards, Freedom of Information, journalism, Uncategorized

Arkansas SPJ partners with A-Mark Foundation to offer 15K in cash prizes for investigative journalism

November 19, 2024June 5, 2026by arkansasspj1 Comment

Searching for the truth is expensive. It takes time, resources and money, things a lot of newsrooms don’t have much of. But where there’s passion, there’s perseverance.

That’s why Arkansas SPJ and the A-Mark Foundation want to recognize investigative reporting and help to fund the continued effort. The A-Mark Prize will provide $15,000 each year for reporters and their newsrooms.

Beginning in 2025, the Arkansas SPJ Diamond Journalism Awards features the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting in Arkansas. Winners will receive:

First place: $5,000 for the writer(s), plus $2,500 for the newsroom
Second place: $3,000 for the writer(s), $1,500 for the newsroom
Third place: $2,000 for the writer(s), $1,000 for the newsroom

Arkansas SPJ is one of only a few chapters hosting these investigative awards this year, and we are proud to partner with the A-Mark Foundation to continue the investigative efforts of hard-working reporters.

“The A-Mark Foundation hopes that our grants will lead to increased recognition and support for investigative journalists across the United States,” said A-Mark senior VP Tracey DeFrancesco. “We noticed that most state-level journalism awards did not have a cash prize, and we hope that providing a monetary award to both reporters and their publishing outlets will enable more important articles to be written.”

What you need to know

The A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Arkansas is described as an award for remarkable investigative reporting in any medium. *This prize is only open to entries with an Arkansas connection. The entry must include investigative reporting by an individual or team in a single report or a series – up to five items including coverage and other supporting elements. Stories should expose a wrong or promote understanding of a problem, issue or subject in the public interest.

The entry must have an Arkansas connection meaning one or more of the following applies: (1) The winning reporter is based in Arkansas; (2) The newspaper or media outlet is based in Arkansas; or (3) The work covers Arkansas. The entry must include investigative reporting by an individual or team in a single report or a series – up to five items including coverage and other supporting elements. Stories should expose a wrong or promote understanding of a problem, issue or subject in the public interest. A supporting statement (400 words max) is required.

The winners will be recognized, and the prizes will be distributed at the Arkansas Diamond Awards ceremony during Summer 2025. All entrants should plan to attend the ceremony in Little Rock in July if they are named a finalist.

If you have questions, email us anytime. The 2025 Diamond Journalism Awards contest is now open. To learn more, click here.

Arkansas Pro Chapter SPJ, Causes, Events, journalism, Uncategorized

Tidings & Transparency Holiday Party set for Saturday, Dec. 7

November 19, 2024June 5, 2026by arkansasspjLeave a Comment

Kick off the evening with us and get your exclusive SPJ “Seek Truth and Report It” glass ornament. Then stroll over to the Capitol steps for the 86th Capitol Lighting Ceremony & Fireworks Show — the perfect holiday finale!

Date & Time:
Saturday, Dec. 7, 4–5:15 p.m.
The Capitol Lighting Ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m.

Hot Cocoa Bar
Spiked Eggnog
Festive Food
Great Company

Special Reading:
“The Cajun Night Before Christmas” by Sonny Albarado

Tickets & Details:

$12 per ticket or two for $20 (includes SPJ ornament)
Kids’ tickets: $5 (ornament not included)

Reserve your tickets today to secure parking! Purchase Tickets Here

Proceeds benefit the printing of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Handbook.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
https://www.facebook.com/events/577049371518643

Arkansas Pro Chapter SPJ, Events, journalism, Uncategorized

Join us for Breaking (bad) News at 6 p.m. on Sept. 25!

September 22, 2024September 22, 2024by arkansasspjLeave a Comment

In the world of journalism, sometimes “Breaking News” can feel as intense and unpredictable as a “Breaking Bad” episode — both reveal the raw and often unsettling truths of our times, and can push reporters to the limits of deciding between being the first to the story or doing their due diligence. Join Arkansas SPJ at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack in downtown Little Rock for a game of “What Would You Do” as we discuss the best practices of breaking news in a digital age. The event will be emceed by Caitrin Assaf of KARK 4 and judges are Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior online editor, Arkansas Advocate Editor-in-Chief Sonny Albarado and Log Cabin Democrat Editor Jeanette Stewart. Winner(s) will take home up to $100 in cash!

Arkansas Pro Chapter SPJ, Events, journalism, Uncategorized

From Stigma to Understanding: Best Practices for Suicide Reporting

August 29, 2024November 19, 2024by arkansasspjLeave a Comment

Ahead of National Suicide Prevention Month in September, Arkansas SPJ presented the webinar From Stigma to Understanding: Best Practices for Suicide Reporting, a program highlighting the importance of responsible reporting on mental health and suicide, including safe reporting guidelines and resources for journalists.

Arkansas SPJ vice president and FOX16 evening anchor Kevin Kelly, who launched an anti-bullying campaign called Step-Up, Stop Bullying, moderated the program with Jacqueline Sharp, area director for the Arkansas chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Aneri Pattani, a senior correspondent at KFF Health News, a national nonprofit outlet covering U.S. health care and health policy.

Additional resources:

Here is a link to the free online course Aneri Pattani helped create with Johns Hopkins University to teach journalists how to report on suicide responsibly.

Find the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s safe reporting guidelines for media here.

“Reporting on suicide? Consider these common problems and their solutions,” a Poynter article by Al Tompkins.

“Best practices for covering suicide responsibly,” a Poynter article by Kelly McBride.

The Carter Center Journalism Resource Guide on Behavioral Health

The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma: Tip Sheet for Reporting on Suicide

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Suicide Contagion and the Reporting of Suicide: Recommendations from a National Workshop

Board Meeting Minutes, Chapter Business

Board Meeting Minutes

August 27, 2024July 2, 2025by arkansasspjLeave a Comment

Reminder: All members are encouraged to attend board meetings and to serve on committees! Available committees and the board member to contact about joining them are as follows: Marketing (Wendy Jordan); Programming (Wendy Jordan), Contest (Kevin Kelly) and Freedom of Information (Rob Moritz). Contact information for board members can be found here.

Feb. 26, 2025 meeting minutes

Jan. 30, 2025 meeting minutes

Dec. 18, 2024 meeting minutes

Oct. 31, 2024 meeting minutes

Aug. 14, 2024 meeting minutes

NEXT MEETING: TBD

Link not working? The Zoom meeting ID is also TBD.