Sept. 24: Deadline for entering the Panthers tickets drawing.

Sept. 25: Drawing for the Panthers tickets.

Sept. 24-27: NNA annual convention at Mobile, Ala.

Oct. 1: Final deadline for paying NCPA membership dues

Oct. 4-10: National Newspaper Week

Oct. 5: News, Editorial & Photo-journalism Contest entry deadline

Oct. 18-21: SNPA News Industry Summit (Annual Convention), Naples, Fla.

March 14-20, 2010: Sunshine Week

March 18, 2010: NCPA Winter Institute at Chapel HIll

Last day for the Panthers tickets
Deadline for entry in the Carolina Panthers ticket give-away is today. If you are interested in possibly winning, you have to enter. Go here for an entry form. Winners will be drawn on Friday.

Speaking of deadlines…
Two really big deadlines are quickly approaching. One week from today, Oct. 1, is last day for paying your annual dues to the North Carolina Press Association. That’s important for the other deadline, Oct. 5, when entries in the News, Editorial & Photojournalism Contest must be received. If you miss the first deadline, the second one won’t matter because your dues must be paid by Oct. 1 to be eligible for the contest.

Are you linking yet?
The new statewide advertising Web site www.ncadsonline.com is up and running. We are asking members to place a link on their Web sites to this new venture. NCPS developed this site to provide our 2x2 and classified network advertisers with additional exposure and to help drive more traffic to their Web sites. While some of the participating papers do post the weekly network ads on their own sites, we know that not all do – so we felt an aggregated statewide site would provide better results for the network advertisers to drive repeat business for the networks.
There are several linking options for you to choose from – you can create a text link to our site, create your own graphic to link or you can download one of the graphics we have created. The graphics and HTML code can be found here: http://www.ncpress.com/ncps/ncads.html.
To participate, please send an e-mail to cindy@ncpress.com stating where on your web site the link will be placed and when it will be active. We want to keep a record of participating newspapers for future incentive and promotional programs. You may also contact Cindy Whitt at 919-789-2083 with questions.

Survey on use of the slain Marine photograph
Two weeks ago we asked what you thought about running the AP photograph showing a Marine who was killed in Afghanistan and whether you thought it was appropriate to run in newspapers. The response was sparse. Six answered our three-question survey. None of those responding had run the photo in their newspaper. Two believed the photo should have run in some newspapers while three stated no paper should have printed the picture.

The checks are in the mail, really
We have some money headed your way… that is as long as your newspaper participates in the 2x2 Network. The rebate checks were sent out this week. Not getting a check? Then you need to contact Leta Pope at leta@ncpress.com or 919-789-2084 to join. Join now and your newspaper will receive a $150 sign-on bonus plus qualify for the next 6-month rebate.

Don’t forget about the blog
Just a quick reminder that if you have questions concerning the 2009 News, Editorial & Photojournalism Contest, check out Blogging on the Contest. Since last week we’ve responded to questions on special sections and investigative reporting. We’ll be happy to answer your question too. Just leave a comment on one of the recent entries.

• Jennings C. "Jay" Hefner has retired from The News Reporter of Whiteville after nearly 46 years of service. He had served as the company's business and promotions director and human resources director.

• Hurricane Hugo, 20 years later, prompts special effort at Gaston Gazette
• At MyReporter.com, StarNews at Wilmington readers get the conversation going by asking about what’s on their minds
• News & Record brings back its book reviews; their readers are also big book readers
• UNC-CH campus to mark First Amendment Day on Oct. 1
• News & Record takes its parking lot off the market, waits for better economy

• Congressional hearing on the future of newspapers is today
• Obama tells Blade, Post-Gazette reporters he's a big fan of newspapers
• Add another paper to the list of those charging $1 for daily single copy sales
• Minneapolis paper sets price for its online Vikings coverage
• Are micropayments the Holy Grail or just a dangerous delusion?
• Audit Bureau of Circulations' survey finds potential for newspapers in mobile content
• BBC reports on video advertisements in printed magazines
• USA Today launches its own research and marketing services division
• Delay in Senate Shield Law vote prompts an editorial from SPJ

• STEVE OUTING: Your news content is worth zero to digital consumers
• JOE GUERTIN: Advertising Streetfighter suggests giving the cliches a rest
• SCOTT MEIER: Our process for online corrections need serious correcting