National Newspaper Association Foundation

Promoting news literacy, protecting the First Amendment
and enhancing the capabilities of community newspapers

SPJ, Institute for Rural Journalism honor Cross with Al Smith Polaris Award

Nov 1, 2023

On Thursday, Sept. 26, the Bluegrass Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky came together to celebrate the winners of the 2023 Al Smith Award for public service through community journalism by Kentuckians — Ben Gish and Sam Adams of The Mountain Eagle of Whitesburg, Kentucky.

Additionally, the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues Director Emeritus Al Cross was surprised with the Al Smith Polaris Award, recognizing distinguished service to community journalism.

The event was held at the Embassy Suites Lexington on Newtown Pike, near Interstate 64/75.

Cross edited and managed rural newspapers before covering politics for the Louisville Courier Journal and serving as president of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Comments:

University of North Alabama professor authors book on community newspapers

“I had a deep interest in small-town weekly newspapers as a master’s and doctoral student at the University of Alabama and as a former small-town daily newspaper reporter at the TimesDaily in Florence,” Garfrerick said.

Kurt Jackson announces new start-up: SN1

Kurt Jackson, owner of longtime publishing systems supplier Software Consulting Services, LLC (SCS), announced the creation of a new start-up – SN1 LLC. ... SN1 is looking for up to nine high school or college computer science and animation interns for the summer of 2024.