California News Publishers Association

SCHOLASTIC MARKS 25 YEARS OF HARRY POTTER READING MAGIC IN THE UNITED STATES

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, Scholastic, the world's largest publisher of children's books, officially marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The seven-book series by J.K. Rowling has cast a spell on kids and adults alike and has turned an entire generation into readers. Harry Potter started the midnight book party phenomenon, smashed publishing records, and to date is the bestselling book series of all time with 600 million copies sold worldwide. To mark the milestone anniversary, Scholastic released today a commemorative video featuring Harry Potter fans from multiple generations. The video will also appear on a billboard in Times Square starting today. On September 27th, the Empire State Building's world-famous tower lights will shine in Hogwarts House colors representing Gryffindor red, Slytherin green, Ravenclaw blue and Hufflepuff yellow. For more on the impact of the Harry Potter book series, check out "25 Harry Potter Facts."

Key Points: 
  • To mark the milestone anniversary, Scholastic released today a commemorative video featuring Harry Potter fans from multiple generations.
  • For more on the impact of the Harry Potter book series, check out " 25 Harry Potter Facts."
  • Earlier this summer and in time for summer reading, Scholastic released the classic paperback editions of the first seven Harry Potter books with refreshed covers featuring the iconic Harry Potter logo hand-drawn by original U.S. illustrator Mary GrandPré.
  • Twenty-five years after the U.S. publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling in September 1998, there are more than 230 million Harry Potter books sold in the U.S. alone.

Sunstone Management Managing Editor Recognized for Excellence in Journalism

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 17, 2023

The California News Publishers Association (CNPA) announced that Harry Saltzgaver, Managing Editor at Sunstone Management, was named a winner of the 2022 California Journalism Awards – Print Division.

Key Points: 
  • The California News Publishers Association (CNPA) announced that Harry Saltzgaver, Managing Editor at Sunstone Management, was named a winner of the 2022 California Journalism Awards – Print Division.
  • The CNPA’s annual California Journalism Awards celebrates the highest ideals, ethics and traditions of journalism.
  • “It’s always an honor to be recognized by your peers,” said Harry, Sunstone Managing Editor.
  • “Harry is an immensely talented writer, and we are fortunate to have him on our team to tell the story of Sunstone.”

California Senate Committee Kills Good Government Bill To Bar Destruction of Public Records using Secretive "Suspense File"

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 12, 2022

AB 2370 (Levine) would have required all state agencies to retain public records for a minimum of two years.

Key Points: 
  • AB 2370 (Levine) would have required all state agencies to retain public records for a minimum of two years.
  • State agencies currently have no minimum time requirement to keep records, placing the public's right to access those records at risk, said Consumer Watchdog.
  • "Shame on Senator Portantino for using the secretive 'suspense' process to quietly kill a good government bill that had nearly unanimous legislative support.
  • The bill arose from the government corruption scandal involving the Department of Insurance and the workers' compensation insurer Applied Underwriters.

Central Valley Journalism Collaborative Taps Michelle Morgante as Editor-in-Chief of a Newly Established News Organization

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 21, 2022

The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative (CVJC) appointed Michelle Morgante, as Editor-in-Chief of its newsroom, tapping a news veteran to lead a newly formed journalism collaborative that seeks to activate a vibrant local free press.

Key Points: 
  • The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative (CVJC) appointed Michelle Morgante, as Editor-in-Chief of its newsroom, tapping a news veteran to lead a newly formed journalism collaborative that seeks to activate a vibrant local free press.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220620005606/en/
    Michelle Morgante, named Editor-in-Chief at the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative.
  • Launched by the James B. McClatchy Foundation, the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative project aims to counter the loss of local journalists amid the collapse of the traditional media industry.
  • Its my hope that, through collaborative journalism, we can build a framework that pairs the long-established practices of community reporting with the emerging systems for collaboration, shared distribution, and mutual sustainability, said Michelle Morgante, Editor-in-Chief of the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative.

California Assembly Passes Good Government Bills To Close Agency Lobbying Loophole and Bar Destruction of Records, says Consumer Watchdog

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Destruction of public records hamstrings government agencies' ability to conduct enforcement actions and is contrary to the basic tenets of transparency.

Key Points: 
  • Destruction of public records hamstrings government agencies' ability to conduct enforcement actions and is contrary to the basic tenets of transparency.
  • The California Environmental Protection Agency currently considers emails transmitting "informal information" to be "transitory," and deletes them after 90 days.
  • AB 2370 is supported by California News Publishers Association, Californians Aware, Consumer Watchdog, First Amendment Coalition, and Oakland Privacy.
  • AB 1783 is supported by California Clean Money Campaign, Consumer Federation of California,and Consumer Watchdog.

Cartoons on Secretary of State Website Make Mockery of Government Transparency, Encourage Destruction of Records, says Consumer Watchdog

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 23, 2022

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Secretary of State ("SOS") Shirley Weber will remove cartoons and a records "retention" handbook on the SOS's website that encourage state agencies to destroy government records in order to avoid legal liability under the state's landmark Public Records Act.  Download Consumer Watchdog's letter raising concerns about the threat to government transparency posed by the cartoons and handbook.

Key Points: 
  • Download Consumer Watchdog's letter raising concerns about the threat to government transparency posed by the cartoons and handbook.
  • View the cartoons on our website: https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/capitol-watchdog/cartoons-secretary-sta...
    Though voters amended the Constitution in 2004 to guarantee access to public records, there is currently no minimum records retention period that applies to state agencies.
  • Government records are routinely deleted or destroyed before the public or journalists have a chance to access them.
  • Making matters worse, the cartoons on the Secretary's website encourage destruction of records to avoid legal liability despite acknowledging an agency staff's "reluctance" to do so.