Later this week I’ll be heading over the hill for the 139th annual conclave of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association (WNPA), this year being held in Everett. When I first began attending in 2011, it was a somewhat different organization, largely populated by the state’s weekly newspapers. It was already a transitional — that is, dangerous — time for the nation’s community papers, which were beginning to disappear at an alarming rate that has not abated. While agenda items for the first conventions I attended were skewed toward practical and operational considerations, we were beginning to shift more toward strategic thinking.
There was a time when I had a more active leadership role in the WNPA, first as a board member then as president of the organization for a couple of years. We made some important transitional moves that I feel good about. These days I’m still involved as president of the WNPA Foundation board, a WNPA adjunct that raises funds to support a summer internship program and coverage of the state Legislature.
In 2026, the WNPA remains engaged and forward-looking, but its membership has changed. There are fewer weekly newspapers still operating in the state, and in the past few years some of Washington’s formerly daily papers have scaled back their publication days and sought alliance with their smaller brethren.
The WNPA now represents 70 community and regional newspapers, including small nonprofit weekly and monthly publications, to the midsize family publications.
And last year even the Seattle Times, the only paper in the state that still publishes a print product every day, became a WNPA member. A Times executive recently joined the WNPA board of directors, which I believe is important for our shared perspectives and for the future viability of a 139-year-old newspaper network that has adapted as necessary.
Here are some of the topics and presentations that are featured on this weekend’s agenda, a mixture of hands-on advice and thought-provoking ideas: “Why a small newsroom bet seven months on sports documentary;” “AI in advertising;” “The reporter’s research toolkit;” a “beginner-friendly hour with Google News initiative tools;” a photography workshop; “Partnering with citizen observers to expand coverage;” “Engaging youth — creating new readers and new journalists;” ad sales pitches; a luncheon keynote by Washington state Sen. Marko Liias, sponsor of SB 5400, the proposed framework for sustaining local news in Washington; “Reporter safety and protections;” “Google AI Growth Lab;” “Diversifying revenue;” “Media literacy;” “Succession planning;” and the day’s agenda capstone: “a panel of Washington news leaders on shifting business models, community support and public policy, moderated by Deputy Secretary of State Randy Bolerjack. It closes with a call to join the WNPA legislative push.”
You’ll notice that we’ll be paying some attention to how AI might affect our news and business operations. That is smart and necessary, but I suspect there will also be a cautionary attitude.
I can’t attend all the sessions — many of them overlap — so I’ll have to make some choices. Reporter Ralph Scwhartz will also be attending, so we’ll likely split up duties.
The day will finish off with the annual awards contest, where we find out who won what in the 2026 Better Newspaper Contest. The News has done well in recent years across several categories; we hope to emulate that success. It’s an important way to acknowledge the good work that our staff and freelancers do throughout the year.
As its website indicates, “WNPA advocates for a free and independent press, provides legislative support, offers professional education and training, and fosters collaboration among publishers, editors, and journalists. Through advocacy, innovation, and shared resources, WNPA works to ensure that local newspapers remain trusted, sustainable voices serving their communities. … By working in close partnership with Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington and the Washington Coalition for Open Government, WNPA promotes open access to public records, defends First Amendment protections, and advocates for policies that safeguard the essential work of the free press.”
The News is proud to be associated with an advocate that appreciates the challenges the industry faces and provides support wherever it can. The state’s papers would be rudderless without it. Find out more about the WNPA at wnpa.com.
I’ll likely have some observations to report after this weekend’s gathering. Stay tuned.
