Northern Illinois News Association Announces Board Leadership

Cristi Kempf NINA President John Lampinen passed the reins to longtime journalist Cristi Kempf to serve as NINA’s 2024 president. The Northern Illinois News Association (NINA), which advances print and digital journalism through education and training in Northern Illinois, is pleased to announce its elected president and Executive Board leadership for 2024. “It’s such an …

NINA Conversation: Journalists and AI

A conversation with Associate Professor of Communication Andrea Guzman and Professor of Communication David Gunkel of Northern Illinois University about artificial intelligence, how journalists can use it and how it affects the news-consuming public. Guzman's specialties include human-machine communication, automated journalism, intersection of artificial intelligence and communication, media framing of technology. Gunkel specializes in information …

Daily Herald general excellence winner in 2023 NINA competition

DeKALB — Regional journalists gathered virtually Thursday for the Northern Illinois News Association’s annual awards presentation.  NINA shifted its annual journalism conference and awards presentation to an interactive digital program to increase accessibility to those throughout northern Illinois who practice and celebrate journalism. The Daily Herald won the general excellence award. The general excellence award is presented for excellence …

Why You Should Attend NINA’s FREE, Oct. 26 Conference on Media Literacy

OP-ED BY NINA BOARD MEMBER ROGER RUTHHART Thirty-seven years ago, in the days before “Internet news,” I was invited to join the Northern Illinois News Association board. In the many years since, this organization -- which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year -- has done an amazing job on behalf of its members in support …

New Trier, Prospect High Seniors Win Scholarships For Journalism Excellence

DEKALB, IL – Two outstanding student editors will receive scholarships from the Northern Illinois News Association for their extraordinary work and commitment to the highest standards of journalistic excellence. NINA Board President John Lampinen announced that Sarah Lin, co-editor-in-chief of the New Trier News, has won the 2023 John Etheredge Award for Northern Illinois High School Journalist …

3 New Board Members Swell Ranks of Northern Illinois News Association

DEKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois News Association continues its growth and positive momentum with the addition of three outstanding journalists to its board of directors. The board voted unanimously on March 9 to welcome Evanston RoundTable Publisher and Manager Mary Helt Gavin, Beacon-News (Tribune Publishing) Reporter Megan Jones and DeKalb Daily Chronicle (Shaw Media) …

A New Vision For The Northern Illinois News Association

Last year, the Northern Illinois News Association changed its name. Now, the 60-year-old journalism association has a new vision. NINA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously on Jan. 19 to adopt the following vision statement: “We aim to be the leading advocate in northern Illinois for reliable and factual local journalism – teaching what it is, …

Here’s Where To Park, How To Pay For NINA’s 60th Anniversary Event Oct. 27

Hey, the big event is tomorrow! (Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022) If you're among our guests, here are a few quick details. Location and Parking: Altgeld Hall is literally a large castle in the middle of campus. It's the only building that looks remotely like this, so it's easy to find. After 5 (except for reserved …

Feng receives NINA high school scholarship

by Pat Szpekowski, NINA president Victoria Feng photo credit/Alicia Johnson, Alicia's Photography We are pleased to announce that Victoria Feng of Buffalo Grove, a recent graduate of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Vernon Hills, has been awarded this year’s $1,000 NINA John Etheredge High School Scholarship. The scholarship is now named in honor of …

Renew. Refresh. Restore.

by Pat Szpekowski, APR - NINA President Happy New Year! For years, I’ve repeated the mantra - Renew. Refresh. Restore. It’s been the positive way to cope with all of the challenges that pop up nearly every single day. I invite you to join me as we pursue the “Three R’s” in 2022. REPEAT all …