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A panel discussion of internet law and newsroom search warrants created quite a stir at the 116th annual convention of the Kansas Press Association in Junction City in April. Above, panel members Ralph Gage of The World Co., attorney Bernie Rhodes and Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson sparred in a lively discussion moderated by KPA media law consultant Mike Kautsch. David Powls, below, will serve as president of the Kansas Press Association for the next year after being elected at the annual business meeting during the 2008 KPA convention. He is shown with his wife, Connie. They are co-owners of the Holton Recorder.

On Friday, 60 KPA convention attendees participated in a tour of the Fort Riley expansion just northeast of Junction City. The day included a bus tour of the base, talks by key Fort Riley officers and a chance to try out the tank and Humvee simulators.

But what was in store at the end of the day was the icing on the cake. Attendees were invited to attend a redeployment ceremony to welcome home soldiers who had spent the past 14 months in Afghanistan. The reunion with family members was a truly moving experience for everyone.

The highlight of the convention Friday night was the induction of two KPA past presidents and long-time journalists into the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame. Don McNeal, long-time owner, publisher, editor and columnist for the Council Grove Republican, was the contemporary inductee. Vivien Sadowski, KPA's first woman president and former Abilene Reflector-Chronicle editor and publisher, was the historical inductee. She died in 2004.

Other major awards included:

Pete Goering, Topeka Capital-Journal, Clyde M. Reed Jr. Master Editor Award.

Ron Johnson, Kansas State University, Gaston Mentor Award.

Kiowa County Signal and Pratt Tribune, Keith Lippoldt, publisher, the Boyd Community Service Award.

Tim Carpenter, Topeka Capital-Journal, Victor Murdock Award.

Rowena Plett, Susan Marshall and Grant Overstake, Peabody Gazette, Kansas Farm Bureau Golden Wheat Award, non-dailies; and Roy Graber, Winfield Daily Courier, dailies.

Winners of the sweepstakes awards, presented to the newspapers based on total points accumulated for all their entries, included:

Bonner Springs Chieftain, Nondaily Division 1;

Atchison Globe, Nondaily Division 2;

Miami County Republic, Nondaily Division 3;

Iola Register, Daily Division 1;

Manhattan Mercury, Daily Division 2;

Lawrence Journal-World, Daily Division 3;

Kansas City Star, Daily Division 4.

Ron Johnson, who was presented with the 2008 Gaston Outstanding Mentor Award at the Kansas Press Association annual convention in April, will become the new director of student media at Indiana University July 1. Johnson has been on the faculty at Kansas State University for almost two decades. He served the first 15 years as the K-State Collegian adviser and is known nationwide for his newspaper design expertise.

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June 19
KPA board retreat
Topeka

Aug. 8
Western Kansas
Mini-Convention
Garden City

Sept. 6 - 14
KPA at the State Fair
Hutchinson

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KPA board meeting
Junction City

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KPA Advertising Conference
Courtyard by Marriott
Junction City

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