LAST CALL FOR "GREAT IDEAS" BOOK

This is the last week to share your best work for the annual "Great Ideas" book, one of APME's most popular traditions. It features top-notch journalism from newsrooms across the U.S. and Canada. A "great idea" can be a new concept for print or online, or a major improvement to something that you do every day. This is your opportunity to brag about your newsroom's best work and to help fellow editors by sharing ideas that might work in their markets. Find the nomination form here.

If you have questions, contact Kurt Franck, managing editor of The Toledo Blade at kfranck@theblade.com or Bobbie Jo Buel, executive editor of the Arizona Daily Star at bjbuel@azstarnet.com.

Meanwhile, thanks to these newsrooms that have already submitted great work: Albany, Anchorage, Appleton, Astoria, Brevard, Bristol, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Culpeper, Davenport, DeKalb, Des Moines, Detroit (Free Press), Dothan, Elmira, Erie, Flagstaff, Florida's East Coast, Fort Myers, Fredericksburg, Fresno, Glens Falls, Hickory, Idaho Falls, Janesville, La Crosse, Lexington, Lincoln, Los Angeles, Louisville, Madison, Minneapolis and Newark. Also, Norfolk, Orlando, Opelika, Portland (Maine), Provo, Raleigh, Rochester (N.Y.), Salt Lake City (Deseret News), Sioux Falls, Stockton, Springfield (Ill.), St. Cloud, Toledo, Torrance, Tucson, Ventura, Washington (USA Today), Wichita Falls and Wilmington (N.C).

REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2007 APME CONFERENCE

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AWARDS

The Freedom Forum, in partnership with the Associated Press Managing Editors and the American Society of Newspaper Editors, is accepting nominations for the sixth annual Robert G. McGruder Awards for Diversity Leadership. Two awards are given annually: one for newspapers with a circulation up to 75,000; one for newspapers with more than 75,000 circulation. The awards go to individuals, newsrooms or teams of journalists who embody the spirit of McGruder, a former executive editor of the Detroit Free Press and relentless diversity champion. McGruder died of cancer in April 2002. Deadline to make a nomination is Aug. 24. Read more here.

ENTRIES ACCEPTED FOR INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

The new prize recognizes innovation in print, online, management, structure or other area that demonstrates a bold, creative effort to improve a news or information product and increase audience. Demonstrable success is not essential but could improve the entry's standing. The competition is open to any editor or staff member of an AP member newspaper, a team from a member newspaper or a newspaper. The deadline to enter is Aug. 15. A panel of APME Board members will judge all entries and select three finalists. The finalists will be presented to attendees of the APME conference in Washington, D.C., Oct. 3-6, and a vote of attendees will determine the winner. A representative of each finalist will be asked to present his or her newspaper's entry at the conference. Attendance is not required to win.

For more information, contact Scott W. Angus, APME Innovation Committee chairman, at sangus@gazetteextra.com or (608) 755-8250, or read here.

COEUR D'ALENE, CANTON OFFER UP MEMBER PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

Scott Heckel of The Repository in Canton, Ohio, snapped an image of Frank Grass consoling his wife Patti as she kissed and hugged the casket of their son, Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, during a burial service near Beach City, Ohio. Grass was killed in Iraq from a roadside bomb explosion. Heckel's photo was selected the June 2007 Member Showcase Photo of the Month by APME.

Last month Jason Hunt of the Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) Press received Showcase honors for an image shared with other members showing a high school baseball player making a diving attempt at the ball during a tournament. See the image and learn more about the Member Showcase awards here.

WRITERS, EDITORS INVITED TO APPLY FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC WORKSHOPS

The National Endowment for the Arts is accepting applications for its Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera in New York City Oct. 14-24.

The institute is an 11-day intensive workshop in classical music and opera for writers and editors from across the country. The program provides a total immersion experience in classical music and opera, during which participants attend at least eight performances, engage in writing workshops, attend short courses in music history, and meet with leaders in the field. Participants engage with experts ranging from administrators of New York's primary music institutions to critics and writers at major U.S. publications. The institute is designed for American journalists who work outside of the top media markets. No specialized musical knowledge is required. Staff writers, editors, and freelancers are welcome to apply. Details:

■ Date: Oct. 14-24.

■ Application Deadline: July 31.

■ Location: The Journalism School, Columbia University, NYC

■ Cost: Most costs are covered by the institute, including travel to and from New York, housing, and some meals.

■ How to Apply: Send an e-mail to nea_institute@earthlink.net to request an application.

■ Individuals deemed eligible to apply will receive an application within three business days of registration via e-mail.

■ Individuals living in New York City or working outside of the United States are not eligible to apply.

To receive e-mail notification of new APME Updates, write to APME@ap.org

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