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Your connection to industry & member news | July 23, 2026
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SCPA partners with S.C. Grantmakers Network on Press Forward grant Editor's Note: SCPA is excited to partner with the S.C. Grantmakers Network on this Press Forward public policy grant. SCPA, with the help of three journalism student interns, will assist the SCGMN and Press Forward with training, research and deliverables.
Press Forward recently announced a $1.45 million investment to help states expand access to trusted local news, ensuring more communities have the information they need to make decisions about their lives.
The funding will support state-level coalitions, along with the national organizations that partner with them, to advance public policies that strengthen local news. These coalitions will work with policymakers, civic leaders, and advocates to develop solutions that protect journalistic integrity and the First Amendment.
“We often think of civic infrastructure as roads or schools, but reliable local news is just as essential. It’s what keeps communities informed, connected, and able to act. And like any infrastructure, it doesn’t sustain itself. It requires investment, from philanthropy, from people and communities, and from public policy, to ensure it’s there for everyone,” said Dale Anglin, executive director, Press Forward.
“States are pioneering new models for how we sustain local news in the future,” said Teresa Gorman, Associate Director, Reimagine + Rebuild at Democracy Fund and co-chair of Press Forward’s Public Policy Working Group.“We’re seeing real progress. This investment is about accelerating that work and helping more communities benefit from it.”
The state-based advocates are part of a growing, nationwide coalition receiving technical assistance, sharing insights, and learning from one another as they build and scale policy solutions across states.
This round of funding supports Press Forward chapters and partners in:
- South Carolina (South Carolina Grantmakers Network)
- Arizona (Community Foundation for Southern Arizona)
- Colorado (Colorado Media Project)
- Kansas (Kansas Press Association)
- Kentucky (Press Forward Bluegrass)
- New Jersey (New Jersey Civic Information Consortium)
- New Mexico (New Mexico Local News Fund)
- Pennsylvania (Lenfest Institute for Journalism)
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"School board members and district officials need to try out the idea of transparency; a good place to start would be posting salary and budget data on their website — or even seeing if the Department of Administration will post it there. But this isn't a one-district problem, and a single district's actions won't fix it. The Legislature needs to require that salary information — at the very least — be posted either alongside state employees' salaries or on the websites of all school districts and city and county governments.
It's an easy fix, which could go a long way toward restoring some of the public trust that governments need in order to do the jobs we all need them to do."
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New Free Times editor, writer ready to cover Columbia’s soul
"Covering Columbia’s soul.”
That’s the tagline you’ll find on Free Times’ website, describing the essential task that this irrepressible weekly newspaper continues to chase as its core mission.
It’s a daunting mandate, using the resources we have to present the most comprehensive and interesting coverage possible of the things that make Columbia special. The local arts, music, culture and food scenes, and the local characters who make them what they are.
Ours is a small city that’s always striving to punch above its weight. It often succeeds.
And so it is with Free Times, home to hungry, passionate journalists who care deeply about helping Columbia know itself better.
This week, a new steward takes up the mission. Sydney Dunlap — who has distinguished herself with thoughtful, timely coverage of the local food scene and contributions to arts and entertainment coverage — has been promoted to be the new editor of Free Times. Before she came to the paper, she was editor-in-chief of The Daily Gamecock at the University of South Carolina. She knows Columbia, and she knows newspapers. I’m thrilled to watch her thrive as she moves into her new role.
Joining us soon to take the open staff writer seat is Pat Moran. He comes from Charlotte, where he’s a staff writer at the Queen City Nerve, one of the most resilient and vibrant alternative weeklies in the Southeast.
By Jordan Lawrence, Free Times | Read more
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By Bryn Eddy,
Lexington County Chronicle
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| ‘Thank you for everything, Lexington! I’m leaving you in good hands.’
With gratitude toward each of our readers and everyone I’ve worked with at the Lexington County Chronicle over the past two-plus years, I am sad to tell you that I am leaving my job as editor of this amazing local publication.
Fret not; I am leaving you in good hands, but I’ll let the new editor, Corey Friedman, introduce himself to you when he officially takes the reins from me in the coming week.
It has been an honor getting to know longtime readers, local leaders, Lexington County newcomers and the many people integral to making this area a wonderful place to live and work. As a young journalist with many more years in the industry ahead of me, I will always look back fondly on my time here.
While I am excited to be able to dedicate more time to my graduate studies and position teaching journalism writing at the University of South Carolina, leaving this job was a hard decision for me and one I did not take lightly.
My admiration of local journalism and conviction that it is essential to democracy and local quality of life remain as strong as ever, so I leave you with direction you have surely heard from me before: support local news, not just in Lexington County, but in any community you may call home in the future. Read more
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Charleston City Paper wins national awards
The editorial board of the Charleston City Paper won first place in the 2026 AAN Awards for best editorial commentary in the country.
The City Paper took home the Billy Manes Award for Disinfect Secrecy, Probe Parking Payday and Backroom Billy. Judges said, “Yes! This is the mission of the local alt weekly. Hold those public officials accountable. Cuz no one else is. Hurrah for Charleston City Paper! Keep digging in on Mayor Cogswell.”
Statehouse bureau chief Jack O’Toole also picked up a third place for News Story - Shorter Form for Fisheries face threats. Judges said, “This story was a nice respite from the crime, mayhem and government bickering that dominated this category. This is a well‑sourced examination of an issue that many people probably don’t think about when they’re picking up dinner at the grocery store. The reporter shows strong knowledge of the topic and takes care to present well-grounded assessments, policy options and a variety of stances. You provided an in-depth look at the situation and associated threats without confusing readers. I also appreciate you including experts and data to give the piece additional credence.”
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P&C Greenville marketing director joins America’s Newspapers Executive Development program
The 2026-27 class of the America’s Newspapers Executive Development Program kicked off last week in New Orleans. Now in its fifth year, Cohort V brought together 17 industry executives from across numerous newspaper departments for their initial in-person leadership sessions.
Included in the cohort is Cortney Landrum, marketing director for The Post and Courier Greenville and Spartanburg.
The Executive Development Program is designed to help high-potential leaders step confidently into larger roles. Over the course of the year, participants engage in three in-person sessions and a series of virtual follow-ups focused on building the skills, perspective and relationships needed to lead a modern local news organization.
From America's Newspapers | Read more
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|  Congratulations to Manning Times Editor Melissa McCoy on being named President of the Manning Rotary Club! She takes the gavel from outgoing President Leigh Ann Maynard, who serves as publisher of the newspaper!
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|  Journalist, author and educator Carolyn Click will be speaking at "Voices of Courage" on Aug. 8 in Columbia. This inspiring event is dedicated to exploring the powerful stories of Black South Carolinians who fought against systems of oppression to build a better future. Click is author of "The Cost of the Vote: George Elmore and the Battle for the Ballot." She was Virginia editor for United Press International and a reporter at the Roanoke (Va.) Times before coming to The State in Columbia. After a newspaper career, Click taught in the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications and in USC's Honors College.
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S.C. agency proposed charging man $2.4 million for school pollution records
Worried about chemical pollution that had been found in the soil of a new elementary school, Brady Hill asked South Carolina’s environmental agency for records that would detail the threat children face when they romp on the playground during recess.
But the price tag for seeing those records was something few people could afford. It would cost him $2.4 million for the records, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services said. And he’d have to make a $605,000 deposit for the agency to even process his Freedom of Information Act request.
Hill was stunned.
“What went through my mind was ‘What the hell?’ ‘’ Hill said. “I was surprised. But then I said this is them telling me no, without telling me no.”
The S.C. Department of Environmental Services response is believed to be one of the highest amounts ever proposed to pay for an open records request in South Carolina —- and it drew blistering criticism from an array of sources.
Some said the agency was trying to hide information about a growing problem with forever chemical pollution that it doesn’t want to deal with in eastern South Carolina. Other critics said department staffers were not competent enough to properly respond to a Freedom of Information Act request.
By Sammy Fretwell, The State | Read more
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School board wants to improve public’s understanding of its work
During talk about budgets, academic achievement, strategic plans and priorities at a workshop last week, the Georgetown County School Board kept coming back to another topic: transparency.
“I realized over this past year that transparency is a big deal,” said Chairman Keith Moore. “I know that there is nothing to hide, and understanding can be helpful in these situations right here.”
The board adopted a $128 million operating budget with a 3.1-mill tax increase for the fiscal year that began July 1. It passed 6-3.
Superintendent Bethany Giles and Lisa Johnson, the district’s chief financial officer, had met seven times with small groups of board members since February.
Without a quorum of the nine-member board, those meetings were not subject to the state’s Freedom of Information Act.
By Madison Sharrock, Coastal Observer | Read more
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E&P offers SCPA members free magazine subscription
As a thank-you for members of the South Carolina Press Association, Editor & Publisher is pleased to offer members a complimentary subscription to E&P Magazine.
Each month, you’ll receive this award-winning print edition delivered to your mailbox, featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders, original reporting, practical revenue and audience strategies, technology insights, and in-depth analysis created specifically for news media professionals. Thank you for your continued support of the industry and the vital role you play in protecting and advancing journalism. Here's how to activate your free subscription.
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Poynter offers free Aug. 18 webinar on covering 'teen takeovers'
So-called “teen takeovers” are drawing attention in cities across the country. What’s missing from the coverage and how can journalists tell a more complete story?
In this free, expert-led webinar, explore why these gatherings are happening, how communities are responding and how to report beyond incidents, arrests and official narratives.
Join Poynter online Aug. 18, 2026, from 1 to 2:15 p.m. to:
- Examine research on youth curfews, arrests and crime rates
- Explore law enforcement responses and community-based alternatives
- Add context about youth programs, safe spaces and prevention
- Strengthen trauma-informed interviewing and reporting practices
- Learn from journalists and youth justice experts
This webinar is designed for general assignment reporters, multimedia journalists and editors. It will benefit all journalists covering crime, public safety, youth, education, local government and community issues. This webinar is free thanks to the support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Learn more and register here.
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Partnering to strengthen communities: Donor-advised funds, community foundations and local newsrooms
Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are one of the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicles in the U.S. — and a largely untapped revenue opportunity for local news leaders.
That opportunity was the focus of a recent Lab Link webinar hosted by Local Media Association’s Lab for Journalism Funding, with support from Knight Foundation. The webinar featured Morgan Baum, vice president of local news sustainability at Report for America; Bob Woodward, a former publisher and now director of journalism philanthropy and college student partnerships at Press Forward NE Iowa; Mary Jo Jean-Francois, vice president of impact at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque; Erin Richards, director of development and partnerships for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; and DAF donor and former journalist Barbara Frank.
The consensus: philanthropy is becoming a significant revenue stream for newsroom sustainability, and DAFs — which let donors support journalism through community foundations or fiscal sponsors — can help broaden support.
By Liz White, Local Media Association | Read more
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Copyright Office proposes a lower fee increase for news publishers following News/Media Alliance request
On July 14, the U.S. Copyright Office submitted its revised fee schedule proposal and analysis to Congress. The proposed schedule includes lower increases to the fee for Group Registration of Updates to a News Website (GRNW) option than the original proposal published in March. News/Media Alliance had filed comments with the Office – together with forty-nine press associations – objecting to the Office’s proposal to increase the GRNW fee from $95 to $350, highlighting especially small and local publishers’ difficulty absorbing additional costs while keeping their communities informed and investing in high-quality journalism. The final schedule would increase the fee to $275 per application. The Copyright Office noted that this adjustment comes after a seven year period of static fees, despite inflation and reduced congressionally appropriated revenues. The Office cited NMA’s comments and acknowledged that “[t]he vast majority of publishers simply are not large corporations that can subsidize other registrants and users of Copyright Office services,” noting “the critical role news organizations play in disseminating information to the public.” GRNW was one of the only services adjusted downwards in the final schedule, with the Office proceeding to raise almost all fees as proposed. The fees will become final unless Congress acts within 120 days.
From News/Media Alliance | Read more
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Work smarter, dig deeper: 10 AI tools for investigative journalists
My first introduction to AI was a Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism fellowship presentation by Caitlin Dewey, a writer and occasional essayist based in Buffalo, N.Y. In it, she demonstrated 11 ways journalists could use AI in practical and responsible ways.
After Dewey’s presentation, I was hooked. I went down the AI rabbit hole, expanding her premise that evolved into my own presentation, “How journalists can use AI ethically” — with the key word being ethically.
I started my career on a typewriter in 1985. I saw the rise of computers, the internet, social media and now, AI. Each time, I heard variations of “the machines are taking over.” What I always say is that those were all tools, and AI is another one that can help us do our jobs smarter and better.
Below are 10 tools you may want to try:
Journalist’s Toolbox AI: Mike Reilley, a journalism senior lecturer at the University of Illinois-Chicago, has created what has become the home to all things AI of interest to journalists. It covers myriad topics, including data tools, image creation, investigative reporting, ethics, large-language models, AI and the environment and more. Subscribe to his newsletter and check out his YouTube training videos.
Wondertools: The AI section of Jeremy Caplan’s must-read newsletter is a treasure trove of the latest tools, many with video demonstrations. Topics include Useful Tools to Start 2026, 10 AI Tools I Actually Use and Let AI Interview You.
By Benét J. Wilson, IRE & NICAR | Read more
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Forever a Part of Our Story: Remembering Katrena McCall
The Press and Standard of Walterboro lost a longtime
friend and past co-worker on July 5, 2026. Katrena McCall passed away leaving a journalistic legacy that
will forever be a part of Colleton County.
A member of the Smoak family which owned The Press and Standard since it was acquired by her grandfather, William Wightman Smoak in 1906. Katrena, the daughter of Wightman Smoak and Mildred Smoak, was a graduate of Walterboro High School, attended Clemson University and married to Carl McCall. They
both worked alongside family at The Press and Standard. Katrena became well known throughout the community for her kindness, dedication, and friendly spirit. Katrena Smoak McCall retired from The Press and Standard newspaper with her last official newspaper being the Jan. 21st, 2021 issue.
In a tribute written by Vicki Brown, McCall reminisced about her time growing up at the newspaper, “I remember running on top of four foot-high lead tables used to set type and playing, until one day when I knocked over the entire box of the letter A, and they all fell on the floor,” she said. “There was every size and style of the letter you could imagine. As a 4-year-old, I remember my punishment was that I had to pick up every single piece of lead and put all the letters back in the correct compartment.
“There were hundreds and hundreds of them. It took me all day,” laughed McCall. “But I never
played up there again.”
By Scott Grooms, The Press & Standard | Read more
Read McCall's Obituary
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