Recent editorials from Tennessee newspapers:
___
Aug. 4
The Johnson City Press on donating to animal shelters:
Like most service organizations that rely on the community’s kindness, the Washington County/Johnson City Animal Shelter is struggling amid the economic downturn brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
While the shelter receives some funding from the county and the city, as well as revenue from adoption fees, the sheer number of animals that come through its doors each year means it needs both cash and in-kind donations. Food, bedding, cleaning products and cat litter are among the items the shelter needs most.
Shelter Director Tammy Davis recently told Senior Reporter Becky Campbell donations have been down because people have been out of work due to COVID-19 and/or have not been able to drop off supplies. Social media campaigns have paid off with some additional help, but the shelter still has constant need of dry or canned kitten food and clay cat litter.
Also, August is smack dab in the middle of prime offspring season, so the shelter has kittens galore.
Some might call that a perfect storm, so the community’s aid is needed to get through it in two ways.
You can help by donating at the shelter’s website at wcjcanimalshelter.org or by dropping off food and supplies at the shelter itself, 3411 N. Roan St., Johnson City. Call 423-926-8769 for information about how and when to make your donation.
You can also help out by giving a pet a loving home.
As COVID-19 became cause for alarm across the U.S., the shelter was among the first local agencies to close down in mid-March in hopes of protecting both employees and visitors. It limited animal intakes to true emergencies - sick, injured, stray or abandoned animals.
Being closed to visitors made adoptions a challenge, but the staff rose to the occasion via social media posts and pre-approvals. The shelter had some success with dog adoptions that way. Still, along with that abundance of kittens, the shelter had more than 80 dogs in its kennels last week.
If you’re willing to adopt, visit the website or call the number listed above to learn how to get approved and make an appointment to see a dog, cat, puppy or kitten.
Adoptions and donations are needed year-round, every year, but the summer of 2020 presents a special challenge. Everyone seems to have personal challenges right now, but our animal companions must rely on us. If you can, please, do your part.
Online: https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
___
Aug. 2
The Kingsport Times-News on proposed legislation that would help the journalism industry:
For more than 100 years, the Times News has been keeping you informed about what’s happening in your community, keeping you aware of where the best prices may be found, keeping you entertained with comics and features, and keeping you protected from government that would put your interests on a back burner.
Government answers to the people, but the people must know what government is up to, and we believe our greatest calling is to keep you up to date on the performance of those you elect to manage your public affairs.
The pandemic has put our ability, and that of every newspaper throughout the country, at risk to continue to work for you. With business closures, businesses scaling back, and a general uncertainty in the business community, advertising support is down significantly, thus making financial stability in the newspaper industry perilous.
We at the Times News are up for the fight and have managed to maintain staffing levels. Most newspapers can’t say that. But while we are proud of our ability to maintain to date, continued economic pressures mount.
Many newspapers have been forced out of business, leaving their communities with a void in their ability to remain informed by journalists dedicated to bringing you information about issues that affect your lives and well-being. Newspapers remain the nation’s most comprehensive, fact-based source of information, but without reporters keeping tabs on city halls, state agencies and community organizations, accountability suffers.
Congress has responded to the pandemic with emergency relief measures including putting money in your pocket. It now has the opportunity to help the newspaper industry through this difficult time. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act introduced July 16 is a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Arizona) and Dan Newhouse (R-Washington). It would provide tax credits for subscribing to and advertising in a local newspaper and payroll credit for journalists. So not only is it designed to help newspapers get over this economic speed bump, it also gives local businesses a leg up with their advertising and marketing budgets.
The main points of the proposed legislation are:
• Credit for advertising in local newspapers and local media. Businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees would be eligible for a five-year non-refundable tax credit to spend on advertising in local newspapers or local radio or television stations. The credit, up to $5,000 in the first year and $2,500 in each of the next four years, would cover 80 percent of advertising costs in the first year and 50% annually thereafter.
• Credit for local newspaper subscriptions of up to $250 per year to help cover the costs of subscriptions to local newspapers, in print or digital form, that primarily produce content related to news and current events. The credit would cover 80% of subscription costs in the first year and 50% thereafter, helping readers while incentivizing support of local news organizations.
• A payroll credit for journalists could be used by local newspapers on compensation of its journalists. This provision will go a long way toward ensuring that communities keep their local news coverage.
With this legislation you would be able to put some money back in your pocket by subscribing to your local newspaper. And the legislation would help local businesses get money back for their advertising. And you can help the Times News fund the journalism you subscribe to by reaching out to your federal representatives in support of this legislation.
Please help us to continue to serve you. Email Rep. Phil Roe at roe.house.gov/contact, Sen. Marsha Blackburn at blackburn.senate.gov/contact_marsha and Sen. Lamar Alexander at alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email.
Online: https://www.timesnews.net/
Please read our comment policy before commenting.