LNN Conference, October 16, 2025

New England Newsrooms Meeting Agenda

9:30-9:45 a.m. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 

Brian McGrory, former editor of The Boston Globe and chair of the Boston University Journalism Department

9:45-10:30 a.m. THE BOSTON UNIVERSITY NEWSROOM

Steve Greenlee, professor of the practice of journalism at Boston University and founding editor of the BU newsroom, gives an update on the BU Newsroom initiative.

10:30-11:15 FUNDRAISING

Philanthropy for local newsrooms: How does a local news outlet successfully raise money from its readers, local businesses and foundations. Panelists: Torrey Androski, member of the board of directors of Brookline.News; Jim Concannon, board chair of Your Arlington; and Anne Galloway, founder and editor-at-large of VTDigger, and principal of NewzOps.org. Moderator: Shannon Dooling, professor of the practice of journalism at Boston University.

11:15-noon TELLING YOUR STORY, REACHING AUDIENCES

Broadening your reach: How new local news organizations let their communities know that they exist. Panelists: Ali Dorman Fernandez, co-founder and board member of the Weston Observer; June Kinoshita, co-founder of the Waltham Times; and Janice Thompson, founder and director of development and operations of the Harpswell Anchor. Moderator: Meghan Irons, professor of the practice of journalism at Boston University.

Noon-12:45 p.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Ken Doctor, CEO and founder of Lookout Local, Inc., parent of Pulitzer Prize-winning Lookout Santa Cruz and newly launched Lookout Eugene-Springfield, and longtime industry analyst; and Ashley Harmon, chief of staff of Lookout Santa Cruz.

12:45-1:30 p.m. LUNCH AND CONVERSATION

1:30-2:15 p.m. RUNNING A SMALL NEWSROOM 

How to decide what to cover – and what not to – when you don’t yet have the resources to do all the journalism you’d like to do. Panelists: Nell Coakley, editor of the Wilmington News and co-founder/editor-in-chief of Gotta Know Medford, Michael Fitzgerald, editor in chief of Cambridge Day; and Sam Mintz, founding editor of Brookline.News. Moderator: Sherrod Blakely, professor of the practice of journalism at Boston University.

2:15-3 p.m. USING ANALYTICS

Jason Tuohey, editor in chief of Britannica and former managing editor for audience at The Boston Globe, and Heather Ciras, deputy managing editor/audience at The Boston Globe, on using analytics to determine what resonates with your audience.