Virginia Press Association joins the growing demands for the Department of Justice return The Associated Press phone records that were subpoenaed as part of the departments year-long investigation into the disclosure of classified information about a failed al-Qaeda plot last year. (News / )

He became editor and general manager of the Page News and Courier in Luray after the weekly newspaper was acquired by the News-Record in 1967. He retired from that position March 10, 1996. A memorial service will be held May 17. (News / People)

Retreat will be held July 12-13 at The Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. Includes a family picnic and roundtable discussions. (News / )

The application deadline is Tuesday, April 30. Winners will be notified by May 15. Please contact Kim Woodward, (804) 521-7574, with any questions about the application. The workshop will be held June 20 and 21 at the VPA Headquarters in Glen Allen. Seminars include: Interviewing Techniques, FOIA: How to Use It (Sparingly) to Get What You Need and How to Choose The Best Storytelling Tool(s). (News / )

Frequent readers of The Virginian-Pilot will soon pay for the digital edition, the newspaper announced Wednesday (News / Industry)

Sam Bartley, a 38-year Virginia Mountaineer employee, has been named editor and publisher of the newspaper following the company's reorganization this week. Bartley becomes the sixth editor in the newspaper's 91-year history, succeeding former editor and publisher Lodge Compton, who served in the role for over 40 years. Bartley, part-owner of the Mountaineer for a number of years, is now joined by Scotty Wampler and Joe St. Clair as sole owners of the paper. (News / IndustryPeople)

The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, The Free Lance-Star of Fredericksburg, the Northern Virginia Daily of Strasburg, the Loudoun Times-Mirror of Leesburg and Style Weekly were repeat winners of the Virginia Press Association's sweepstakes awards for the 2012 contest year. The awards were among eight sweepstakes prizes presented at the association's annual meeting Saturday in Norfolk. (News / Industry)

The deadline to register for Richmond Media Group's Digital Advertising Seminar is end of the day Wednesday, April 24. (News / Industry)

Newspaper opens new downtown office with ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month. (News / People)

Philip Kennicott, the chief art critic of The Washington Post, won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. According to The Pulitzer's website, Kennicott was noted for "his eloquent and passionate essays on art and the social forces that underlie it, a critic who always strives to make his topics and targets relevant to readers." (News / ContestEventsIndustryOnlinePeople)

Charles “Leon” Townsend, the well-known photographer described as "the face" of the Danville Register & Bee has died. (News / People)

The National Newspaper Association today welcomed a decision by the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors to continue Saturday mail delivery while it awaits postal reform legislation from Congress. NNA president Merle Baranczyk, publisher of the Mountain Mail in Salida, CO, also warned NNA will oppose increases in postage rates at a time when closing mail processing facilities are degrading newspaper delivery service nationwide. "The mission of the Postal Service is in its name: it is service. Without reliable service, no price is fair. NNA is working with the Postal Service to do all we can to help newspapers avoid the impacts of the system changes, but we need universal service for our communities and our newspapers. We also believe the ultimate responsibility rests with Congress and we will continue our vigorous advocacy on behalf of community newspapers to pass important postal reform legislation." (News / Industry)

Ann Gregory, 77, of St. Paul died early Sunday morning, ending a 12-year courageous battle against cancer. (News / People)

COMMUNITY JOURNALISM WORKSHOP 2013 - It's been described as a "boot camp" for new reporters. It's launched numerous newsroom careers. It's an effective skills refresher for mid-career reporters. It's been the foundation for many VPA news contest award winners. To help new reporters who'd like to participate, and cash-strapped newsrooms who'd like to send them, Virginia Press Association is offering six paid scholarships for this year's Community Journalism Workshop, to be held June 20-21 at VPA headquarters in Glen Allen. The application deadline is Tuesday, April 30 (News / Industry)