The Last American Newspaper: An Institution in Peril, Through the Eyes of a Small-Town Editor

by Ken Tingley

Overview

This book reveals what is happening in small communities across the United States as their newspapers struggle to survive. It is a celebration not just of journalism, but of the inspirational people who do it and the news and events of small towns. Importantly, it asks the question: who will be the community watchdog of the future?

This book memorializes the American newspaper through the story of the Post-Star of Glens Falls, NY. The author, a devoted veteran of the Post-Star, compiles a series of vignettes that depict the newspaper's coverage over the years. They provide a glimpse behind the newsroom curtain through the stories of the investigative journalism done in small towns.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476688268
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	09/09/2022
Pages:	335
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.67(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Ken Tingley was the editor of The Post-Star in Glens Falls, New York, from 1999 to 2020. He was president of the New York State Associated Press Association in 2010 when it merged with the state broadcasters association. He served twice on the board of directors of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and was a Pulitzer Prize judge in 2008 and 2009. He lives in Queensbury, New York.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Foreword: The Last American Newspaper by Gary Kebbel
Preface
Introduction: Mary Joseph
1. “My high school is on TV”
2. “Get up, get out”
3. 9/11
4. Maury
5. Growing Up Gay
6. “She has suffered enough…”
7. The Photograph
8. Street of Dreams
9. Monsters After Midnight
10. ­­­­­9-1-1
11. Breaking Their Silence
12. “I don’t know where my husband is”
13. “Was that Vito?”
14. Congressman ­­­­­Kick-Ass
15. Not Again…
16. Parents Still Don’t Get It
17. “You won it, buddy”
18. “There are kids in there”
19. Profile in Courage
20. You Don’t Want to Read This
21. Who Will Take Care of Us?
22. The Evil Librarian
23. Heroin Hits Home
24. The Difficult Mr. Lehman
25. The Great Email Caper
26. The Alzheimer’s Chronicles
27. “We’ve got one coming for you, Post-Star”
28. The Last Year
Epilogue
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Across America, community newspapers are in deep trouble as more than 35,000 local journalists have lost jobs since 2008. The result is lower civic engagement, less accountability among local leaders, and the critical loss of a catalyst for positive change. Ken Tingley’s book, The Last American Newspaper, is a clarion call for citizens who are rightly concerned about who is going to do the kind of journalism needed in a democracy. Tingley’s account of the talented and dedicated staff of The Post-Star—and the increasing financial, corporate and political challenges faced in his 21 years as editor—is a microcosm of the triumphs and challenges experienced by community newspapers in hometowns across the U.S.A. Tingley’s writing is as clear as his message.”—David Stoeffler, former Post-Star publisher, chief executive officer, Springfield (MO) Daily Citizen

From the Publisher