Here is my brief speech on “The State of Region 7,” delivered at the regional conference in St. Louis.

Region 7 consists of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.  We have student and Pro chapters in all four states, except Nebraska.  While we do have one student chapter going there, one of my goals as regional director is to jump-start a conversation with a visit to Omaha to see if we can drum up some interest in a chapter for professionals.

Like journalism in general, Region 7 is in flux.  Our pro chapters are losing members –and even leaders– through lay-offs, as people leave journalism for other careers or jobs in other parts of the country.  The Southwest Missouri chapter has all but folded now that employers in that area no longer pay membership fees for SPJ.  Dave Burton, who has long been the driving force behind that chapter, is working hard to keep a core group of SPJ members interested with an eye to reviving the chapter.

On the plus side, journalists in Southeastern Missouri are talking about starting a Professional chapter in Cape Girardeau.  Also our chapters at University of Kansas and Southeast Missouri State are active once again, after short periods of dormancy.

So the big question is:  How does SPJ remain strong by providing its members with value they can see?  Our core mission of perpetuating a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty remains.  But it’s hard to have a free press when the population of journalists is decimated and demoralized.   Right now, many journalists are in crisis, fighting for their job and challenged to keep up with changing technology, dynamic and diverse audiences and new media prerogatives.

So, how can SPJ help you?

We offer a wide variety of training opportunities, online and around the country.  The SPJ Board recently voted to give laid off journalists a break on membership fees. These are a good start.  But what else can we do?  One member told me yesterday she’d like to see SPJ “go public,” with a campaign to let our viewers, listeners and readers know that media owners are cutting and slashing. And doing so to such a degree that the work we do — the work the public relies on–  is threatened.  Another idea she had was that SPJ leaders might sit face to face with the ladies and gents at the heads of media companies large and small to make a case for keeping journalists employed and finding efficiencies through new technologies, not by cutting people.

So, I’d like to ask again… How can SPJ help you?  Please talk to me today, tonight or via e-mail…  I’d like to take your ideas to the full board in Indianapolis this summer.

The Mark of Excellence Awards luncheon just wrapped up here in St. Louis.  We filled about 70 seats and had representatives from all but two of the schools with students who won awards.  Here are the schools…

Baker University
Creighton University
Drake University
Grand View University
Iowa State University
University of Kansas
University of Missouri
St. Louis Community College – Meranec
Truman State University

I wanted to give major props to Iowa State University’s students who raked in 22 awards, the most of any other school in the region.  They were pretty dominant in the newspaper and photography categories.  Drake dominated the magazine category, but did not send anyone to the conference.  Mizzou won the lion’s share of awards in the radio and television categories.

We had a great speaker in Brant Houston, Knight Chair for Investigative and Enterprise Reporting at the University of Illinois.  He talked about coming trends and opportunities in this tough job environment, managing to give the straight story and maintaining a sense of humor that connected with the luncheon attendees.

And the winners are…

ONLINE NEWS REPORTING
3rd Place ~ Jenna Nikkel, Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily online

2nd Place ~ Jenna Nikkel, Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily online

1st Place ~ Holly Jackson, University of Missouri
CNETNews.com “Hands-free Law Drives Big Marketing Opportunities”

ONLINE FEATURE REPORTING
3rd Place ~ Rob Wormley, Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily online

2nd Place ~ Samantha Carlson, Alissa Atkinson & Karla Walsh, Iowa State University
Ethos Magazine online

1st Place ~ Holly Jackson, University of Missouri
CNETNews.com “Photographer without legs tells life story from ground up”

ONLINE IN-DEPTH REPORTING
2nd Place ~ Emily Keats… Iowa State University
Ethos Magazine online

1st Place ~ Alex Parker… University of Kansas
Lawrence Journal-World online “Readying for War”

ONLINE SPORTS REPORTING
3rd Place ~ Blake Toppmeyer… Truman State University
The Index online

2nd Place ~ Maddie Crawford… Iowa State University
Ethos Magazine online

1st Place ~ Courtney Servaes, Zack Rockey & Chelsea Twietmeyer… Baker University
The Baker Orange online “65-27 Morningside”

NEWSPAPERS — BREAKING NEWS REPORTING
3rd Place ~ Dylan Boyle & Bethany Pint… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily

2nd Place ~ Kim Norvell, Bethany Piht & Dylan Boyle… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily

1st Place ~ Molly Hottle, Grand View University
Des Moines Register “Husband accused of murder in I-235 shooting”

NEWSPAPERS — GENERAL NEWS REPORTING
3rd Place ~ Alex Parker… University of Kansas
Lawrence Journal-World

2nd Place ~ Haley Jones… University of Kansas
University Daily Kansan

1st Place ~ Kim Norvell… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily “Amethyst initiative shines…”

NEWSPAPERS — IN-DEPTH
3rd Place ~ Rashah McChesney… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily

2nd Place ~ Ryan McGeeney… University of Kansas
University Daily Kansan

1st Place ~ Brenna Hawley… University of Kansas
University Daily Kansan “Parched Future of the plains”

NEWSPAPERS — FEATURE WRITING
3rd Place ~ Andrew Astleford … University of Missouri
The Washington Post

2nd Place ~ Molly Hottle… Grand View University
Des Moines Register

1st Place ~ Thor Nystrom… University of Kansas
University Daily Kansan “To Hell and Back”

NEWSPAPERS — EDITORIAL WRITING
3rd Place ~ Josh Hillman… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily

2nd Place ~ Staff, The Baker Orange
Baker University

1st Place ~ Mike Gibilisco & Jordan Mapes… Creighton University
The Creightonian Editorials

NEWPSPAPERS — SPORTS WRITING
3rd Place ~ Andrew Astleford … University of Missouri
The Washington Post

2nd Place ~ David Ubben… University of Missouri
Columbia Missourian

1st Place ~ Thor Nystrom… University of Kansas
University Daily Kansan “Both Sides of the Scalp”

NEWSPAPERS — SPORTS COLUMN WRITING
2nd Place ~ Blake Toppmeyer… Truman State University
The Index

1st Place ~ Chris Smith… Baker University
The Baker Orange Sports Columns

MAGAZINES — NON-FICTION ARTICLE
3rd Place ~ Jessica Vong… Iowa State University
Uhuru Magazine

2nd Place ~ Rachel Vogel… Drake University
Drake Magazine

1st Place ~ Evan Jurkovich… Drake University
Think Magazine “Lost No More”

BEST STUDENT MAGAZINE
3rd Place ~ Staff, Think Magazine
Drake University

2nd Place ~ Staff, 515 Magazine
Drake University

1st Place ~ Drake Magazine
Drake University

PHOTOGRAPHY — BREAKING NEWS
2nd Place ~ Joshua Harrell… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily

1st Place ~ Jon Lemons… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily “NIU Embrace”

PHOTOGRAPHY — GENERAL NEWS
2nd Place ~ Jon Lemons… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily

1st Place ~ Joshua Harrell… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily “Kerry Speaks”

PHOTOGRAPHY — FEATURE
3rd Place ~ Kai Chan… Iowa State University
Ethos Magazine

2nd place ~ Emilee Richardson… Drake University
Drake Magazine

1st place ~ Nick Gallo… Creighton University
The Creightonian “Let the cards fly”

PHOTOGRAPHY — PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
3rd Place ~ Nick Schnelle, Brett Lohmeyer & Amanda Keefe … St. Louis Community College-Meranec, The Montage

2nd place ~ Staff, The Creightonian
Creighton University

1st place ~ Dan McClanahan…Iowa State University
Ethos Magazine “Logging out for good”

PHOTOGRAPHY — SPORTS
3rd Place ~ Joshua Harrell… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily

2nd place ~ Jon Lemons… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily

1st place Joshua Harrell… Iowa State University
Iowa State Daily “ISU pwnd”

RADIO NEWS REPORTING
3rd Place ~ Sean Powers… University of Missouri
KBIA 91.3 FM

2nd place ~ Bonnie Thomas… University of Missouri
KBIA 91.3 FM

1st place ~ Robby Berlin… University of Missouri
KBIA 91.3 FM “Fulton Treatment Facility”

RADIO NEWS FEATURE
3rd Place ~ Austin Coates… University of Missouri
KBIA 91.3 FM

2nd place ~ Sean Powers… University of Missouri
KBIA 91.3 FM

1st place ~ Kyle Stokes… University of Missouri
KBIA 91.3 FM “Lincoln School memories ”

RADIO IN-DEPTH REPORTING
2nd place ~ Sean Powers… University of Missouri
KBIA 91.3 FM

1st place ~ Catherine Wolf… University of Missouri
KBIA 91.3 FM “Energy matters…”

RADIO SPORTS REPORTING
1st place ~ Alex Swoyer… University of Missouri
KBIA 91.3 FM “Conrad Stands Out…”

TELEVISION BREAKING NEWS REPORTING
2nd place ~ Mike Brannen… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV

1st place ~ Dhomonique Ricks… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV “Live election night coverage”

TELEVISION GENERAL NEWS REPORTING
1st place ~ Dhomonique Ricks… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV “Teen gun violence”

TELEVISION FEATURE REPORTING
3rd Place ~ Wendy McCart… University of Kansas
KUJH-TV

2rd Place ~ Mike Brannen… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV

1st place ~ Dhomonique Ricks… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV “Mr. Taco Bell”

TELEVISION IN-DEPTH
2nd place ~ Dhomonique Ricks… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV

1st place ~ Wendy McCart… University of Kansas
KUJH-TV “Voter Registration”

TELEVISION SPORTS REPORTING
2nd place ~ Kevin Gehl… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV

1st place ~ Mike Brannen… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV “Carlos Ivory”

TELEVISION NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY
2nd place ~ Mike Brannen… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV

1st place ~ Mike Brannen… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV “Holiday Holdup”

TELEVISION FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
1st place ~ Mike Brannen & Phil Rapisardo… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV “Monica Hudson”

TELEVISION SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
1st place ~ Mike Brannen… University of Missouri
KOMU-TV “Fast Food”

BEST ALL-AROUND DAILY STUDENT NEWSPAPER (at least 4 times a week)
2nd place ~ University Daily Kansan Staff
University of Kansas

1st place ~ Iowa State Daily Staff, Iowa State University

BEST ALL-AROUND STUDENT NEWSPAPER (less than 4 times a week)
3rd Place ~ The Baker Orange Staff
Baker University

2rd Place ~ Creightonian Staff
Creighton University

1st place ~ The Index Staff
Truman State University

First place regional winners are forwarded on to the national competition. National winners will be honored at the 2009 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference in Indianapolis.

I read today that Deanne Lane is no longer at KSDK-TV in St. Louis.  After 25 years, and without any explanation to staff or viewers, she and the station have parted ways.

An article at stlouistoday.com speculates about the reason; namely, that the station bosses asked Lane to take a big pay cut and she balked.  She refutes this.  We may never know the reason, but these kinds of abrupt vanishings are all-too common in television news.

You can almost always tell whether a parting is amicable or rancorous.  In the former case, the station will make a marketing opportunity about the retirement of a beloved anchor, with retrospective video montages and frequent references on the air to the anchor’s retirement plans.  Behind the scenes, there will be a newsroom goodbye party with cake and a gift of some kind, speeches, tears, etc.

A current example of the amicable retirement model is Warner Saunders of WMAQ-TV, the NBC station in Chicago.  Viewers have known about Saunders’ plans since last year. He’s still on the air for now, but his impending departure is no secret.  In news towns where viewers tend to be very attached to newscasters (like Chicago and St. Louis), it is smart from a public relations perspective for stations to treat longtime on-air personalities with the respect they have so often earned over the years.

Rancorous partings often backfire on the station.  Such was the case when, after failing to come to contract terms with popular news anchor and reporter Emery King, Detroit’s WDIV-TV found itself the object of protests and community outrage.  WDIV-TV’s bosses actually ordered King escorted from the building with a box of his belongings.  This is not unusual in television news.  King landed on his feet, with a new gig as media relations guru for Detroit Medical Center.  And, fifteen weeks after literally showing King the door, WDIV-TV offered him a deal to produce and host specials for the station.  The station even posted this news on its web site!  Joe Berwanger, the general manager who oversaw the King departure debacle, was out a few months later.

Between the amicable and rancorous partings, there’s the ever-popular (with station management), “Let’s try to keep this quiet and hope no one notices he or she is missing.”  This seems to be the case with Lane and KSDK-TV.

I found it very interesting to read the comments from readers that accompany the stlouistoday.com article about Lane’s departure.   To wit, viewers do notice when prominent figures vanish from the television news landscape.  This attitude does a disservice to the employee in question and to viewers.  And, my theory is that it KSDK-TV will take the hit.  It might not be a major one, but some viewers will certainly decide to go elsewhere for their news.  Not just because Lane is gone, but because of the perception that the station didn’t do right by one of its lead journalists.

Congratulations are due to hard-working journalists in our region who won 2008 Sigma Delta Chi awards!

Newspapers
Deadline Reporting (circulation of less than 100,000)
“Great Flood of 2008,” Staff, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Online Reporting
Deadline Reporting (affiliated)
“Kirkwood City Hall Shootings,” Staff, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Click here for complete results.

SPJ will hand out the awards during the SPJ Convention and National Journalism Conference, August 27-30 in Indianapolis.