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Your connection to industry & member news | Aug. 21, 2025
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 | SCPA Foundation intern Colin Elam takes a selfie with The State's sign after leaving the newsroom on his last day.
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| SCPA Foundation intern gains practical experience at The State
Editor's Note: As the summer comes to a close, so does the SCPA Foundation's internship program.
By Colin Elam
Senior Journalism major, USC
I had the privilege to work at The State this summer as an SCPA Foundation Intern. In the 10 weeks I spent there, I built up a diverse portfolio of reporting work and learned from some of the best journalists in South Carolina.
My interest is in growth, development and business reporting, and I got to write a popular story about a new southern buffet and a piece about three restaurants operating within other businesses. I was far from limited to that beat, and I spent a great deal of time covering breaking news. Included in this was my coverage of the case of Naegleria fowleri from Lake Murray, from which I wrote four stories.
I had not written many arts-oriented stories as a student reporter, but with The State, I wrote a profile of two Dreher High School graduates that went on to work on this year’s “Superman” film, a story about the loss of public art in Columbia and a look into two local music businesses that moved in together.
Besides getting to write some cool stories, I was able to spend time in a great newsroom. The editors and other reporters were eager to pass down their experience to the summer interns. Hannah Wade gave a great presentation to us, full of tips for finding story ideas, and John Monk took me on a field trip to federal court. That trip ended up giving me a photo credit. It was great to meet both younger reporters with an early career perspective as well as industry veterans with decades of experience to share.
I was already interested in a career in local journalism, and my time at The State solidified that. I felt like a trusted member of the team while receiving quality mentorship from my supervisors and coworkers.
Invest in the future of our industry
How to apply
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SCPA hires USC J-school intern to help with member services, communications SCPA has hired USC student Maya Ambuehl as a communications and membership intern.
You may recognize Maya from the 2025 Annual Meeting as she began working with SCPA last winter putting together the News Contest and Collegiate Contest awards presentations.
A Landrum native, Maya is a first-generation sophomore sports media major with a double minor in Sports & Entertainment Management and Entrepreneurship.
Aspiring to have a job in the sports industry, she is a part of Upstate Prep Cast as a broadcaster and is a sports writer for The Daily Gamecock. “While at SCPA, I hope to learn about being in a professional work space,” she said. “I am looking forward to interacting more with the members and learning a thing or two from them!”
In her free time, Maya enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching all things sports and reading.
She will work part time Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Her email is maya@scpress.org.
SCPA’s other intern, McKenzie Bargeron, will continue to work this semester. She will be in the office Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
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Order 'Free Press, Free People' yard signs by Aug. 31Several members have reached out to SCPA recently about the "Free People, Free Press" yard signs SCPA Attorney Jay Bender offered in 2018.
Bender plans to place an order for additional signs next month.
Signs are $20 each, with proceeds benefitting the William C. Rogers Freedom of Information Fund. Signs must be picked up at SCPA Offices. Pre-sale orders are required.
Email us to place your order by Aug. 31.
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|  Only 10 seats remain for our Sept. 19 ad sales training featuring Ryan Dohrn. Don't wait to sign up... this event will likely sell out soon!
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 | Kay Thompson has purchased The Twin-City News from Trey Bruner. The newspaper is celebrating its 100th year serving the Batesburg-Leesville community. (Photo by Tonya Rodgers/The Twin-City News)
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| Twin-City News announces change of ownership 100-year legacy of community newspaper to continue
2025 has been a big year for The Twin-City News.
In May, the newspaper celebrated the 100th anniversary of a business that has remained in the Bruner Family throughout its history.
Beginning in 1925, William W. Bruner would serve as publisher until his death in 1940, at which time son Douglas Bruner Sr. took control. His wife, Sara, would assume the mantle from 1973 until her death in 2013.
In 2014, their grandson, Douglas Nease Bruner III, known as “Trey,” and his wife, Leah, continued the Bruner family’s ownership to provide the town and surrounding areas with local news.
Now, the Bruner publishing legacy is being extended to Kay Thompson, who in early June purchased The Twin-City News.
Thompson, of Batesburg-Leesville, is not new to the area or to The Twin-City News family. She grew up in the Chapin area, the daughter of Henry and Doris Meetze.
She and her late husband, Mark, moved to the Batesburg-Leesville area to retire after Mark sold Florida Sun Printing Company in Callaham, Florida, in 2021. As then-owner and operator, Mark and Florida Sun began printing The Twin-City News in October 2014. Thompson is eager to continue that relationship and build new ones locally as publisher.
“I am excited to be a part of The Twin-City News and of this community,” Thompson said. “The people here are wonderful and everyone has welcomed me with open arms.”
Bruner said he and his wife, Leah, are proud to have carried on the family business for so many years, however he found that now was a suitable time to let someone else build upon what has been accomplished.
“My feelings about Kay purchasing the paper are truly positive and calming,” Bruner said. “The way the transition all unfolded was special and divine. Her exposure to and involvement in the printing industry throughout her life uniquely position her to take over the business and attempt to take it to new heights.”
By Tonya Rodgers, The Twin-City News
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Brubaker joins The Lancaster News
She is new to The Lancaster News but Haley Brubaker is not new to writing.
Brubaker, a Lancaster resident, joined the newspaper Monday as a general assignment reporter. Born in Franklin Park, Illinois, she has loved reading and writing since she was a kid.
“I was a strong reader with a particular love for fantasy and general fiction novels,” Brubaker said.
She first got involved in journalism as a teenager, as a reviewer for her high school newspaper. It was there that her interest for fast-paced, timely writing was piqued.
After one semester at College of Lake County, she and her family moved to Indian Land. She continued her education at USC-Lancaster. While there, her love of English and journalism grew. She ultimately transferred to Clemson.
"I fell in love with the campus at Clemson as soon as I arrived,” she said. “I had great professors who I liked working with and a lively student body. While I did not join the school newspaper, I did get more interest in writing and reporting from my classes. I decided to focus on finishing my education at Clemson before moving on to professional work in journalism.”
From The Lancaster News | Read more
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The Press & Standard welcomes new sports contributor
Vernon Gilbert, Jr. will be joining The Press and Standard as a new sports contributor and video producer.
Gilbert is originally from Ruffin and attended Ruffin High School, graduating from Colleton County High School in 2004. His sports journey began with middle and high school football, transitioned to basketball, and culminated in track, where he participated in discus and shot put. ...
Gilbert will be following the local sports teams and bringing his expertise to the readers and subscribers through written and video contributions to The Press and Standard. He will bring in-depth stories on the players and coaches as they compete in various sports in the community. Through video he can tell the stories in the players and coaches’ own words and take you on the sidelines from practice to the games.
By Scott Grooms, The Press & Standard | Read more
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News & Press to host 150th anniversary celebration on Sept. 9
The News & Press is proud to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding newspaper, The Darlington News, which was established in 1875. While the “News & Press” name itself is not 150 years old, the publication is honoring the milestone birthday of the newspaper that started it all.
The Darlington News was founded in 1875 by J. W. Hammond as a weekly Thursday publication. Meanwhile, The Darlington Press began its journey in 1903 as the NEW ERA before being rebranded on July 4, 1906, under editor A. J. Bethea.
On April 20, 1909, these two vital community newspapers officially merged to form The News & Press. The unification was led by prominent local figures including J. Monroe Spears, Thomas H. Coker, Jr., S. C. King, T. E. Stokes, and founding publisher J. W. Hammond.
Under J. Monroe Spears’ leadership from 1909, the newspaper became integral to Darlington County’s history, chronicling significant community events and developments.
In 1956, owner Sarah Coffee sold the publication to Morrell L. Thomas Jr., who served as owner and publisher until health issues forced his retirement in 2002. His daughter Ann Boyd Thomas succeeded him until her death in March 2008, followed by his son Morrell “Morrey” Thomas III, who continued the family legacy until selling during the COVID pandemic in mid-2020.
By Stephan Drew, The News & Press | Read more
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 | Vashti Smith, staff intern at The Link (right), finished her summer internship on Aug. 8. (Photo by Jane Pigg)
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| Internship helps to figure out goal for future
Thank you, WCRE and The Link!
I am blessed to have had my first internship at my favorite newspaper and radio station in
the whole world, The Link and WCRE Radio.
From the moment I walked in, I felt like family. I’ve gained more experience and confidence
in my journalism skills during my internship. Every week seemed like a new adventure.
I have gone on a ride-along with the Cheraw Police Department, earned my press pass
and written interesting stories.
I’ve also learned many great things and met so many talented people. If I could fit everyone from WCRE and The Link in my suitcase, I would.
Everyone is so nice and encouraging.
When I first started my internship,
I only wanted to be a news reporter, but now I also want to own a newspaper and
radio station like Mrs. Jane Pigg.
I want to be able to connect people and help my community through journalism. I know this is just the beginning for me, but I think this will always be the best internship ever.
Thank you to everyone at The Link and WCRE for inspiring me to be great. I hope I make you all proud with my future endeavors.
By Vashti Smith, Intern for The Link
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|  | Employees of The Gaffney Ledger celebrated the retirement of Andy Clary last week. Andy, seated, has been an advertising sales representative at the newspaper for 25 years. His wife Rainee and sons Zach and Drew helped celebrate occasion along with two grandchildren. Shown here are (l-r) Gina Poole, Allyson Shytle, Phyllis Wilson, Scott Powell, Mary Jo Martin, Larry Hilliard, Cody Sossamon, Josh Jefferies, Frankie Martin, Drew Towery, Larry Littlejohn and Abbie Sossamon.
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SC weeklies invited to join ISWNE
The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) is offering free memberships to South Carolina weeklies who are locally or family owned.
Founded in 1955, ISWNE has 250 members in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and a handful of other countries. The majority still publish editorials and editorial pages and believe in holding public officials accountable.
ISWNE publishes a newsletter 10 times per year and a biannual journal called Grassroots Editor. The greatest membership benefit is the ISWNE Hotline, a listserv where members can post questions by email related to newspaper policy or journalism ethics.
ISWNE also sponsors the Golden Quill editorial writing contest and a summer internship program. Its annual conference will be in Cardiff, Wales, July 14-19, 2026.
ISWNE is based at the Missouri Press Association, with Chad Stebbins serving as the executive director of both organizations. To sign up for the free membership, which is good through Dec. 31, 2026, email him at cstebbins@mopress.com.
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