After cyberattack, The Journal Times is back to full strength

From The Journal Times.com:

Mike Boyd

Mike Boyd

Since Feb. 3, when a cyberattack shut down most systems at Lee Enterprises, the parent company of The Journal Times, teams have been working day and night to bring you the complete newspaper you expect.

Today, we cannot be more pleased to tell you we are back to full strength.

For the past few days, you’ve probably noticed the newspaper has returned to its bigger size. It has more local news, sports and features, and we’ve brought back the Sunday Family & Life section. You’ll find your favorite columnists on the opinion page, and you’ll also see a return of some features we weren’t able to provide during the outage, such as A+.

We never stopped giving you the latest local news, sports and entertainment on journaltimes.com. But many of you have told us that you prefer to read a printed paper. One reader who wrote to us ended her handwritten letter with, “Coffee tastes so much better when you’re reading the paper.”

This outage wasn’t something we anticipated, and the road to recovery has been long. But along the way, you’ve shown the patience and grace typically reserved for a friend. And for that, we thank you.

We read every message of empathy and encouragement. And we read every note of frustration, too. You kept us motivated to move as fast as possible to resolve this issue and get back up to full speed.

We’re pleased to give you the paper you want and deserve, but we’re not satisfied to just return to normal. We’ll work hard to continue to be the best source of local news in Racine County.

Thank you for supporting the The Journal Times.

From: https://journaltimes.com/opinion/column/article_856d2fed-473b-4683-bbf4-61e8fd157830.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Major Lee Enterprises shareholder wants to buy company that owns The Journal Times

From The Journal Times.com:

David Robinson News Business Reporter

The second-biggest shareholder of Lee Enterprises, the Iowa-based media company that owns The Journal Times, said Thursday that he wants to try to buy the company.

The Hoffmann Family of Companies, which owns just under 10% of Lee’s stock, said in a letter to Lee executives that it wants to have “open discussions” about buying Lee in its entirety.

The letter of intent from David Hoffmann, the company’s billionaire chairman, comes after Hoffmann has been steadily adding to its stake in Lee, which also owns publications in 73 U.S. markets, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Omaha World Herald.

In an interview Thursday, Hoffmann said combining Lee’s 78 newspapers with the 21 publications his company owns would create the second-largest newspaper company in the United States, behind Gannett.

“Local news and journalism is important to me,” Hoffmann said. “To me, it’s part of the fabric of America. I’ve had some success in my life, so it’s something that I’d like to invest in and try to preserve, and at the same time, I think we’ll be successful from an investment point of view.”

In a statement, Lee said it would evaluate any offer Hoffmann were to make.

“Lee’s board of directors and management team are committed to acting in the best interests of all shareholders,” the statement said. “Consistent with its fiduciary duties, Lee’s board of directors will carefully review any credible proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interests of the company and Lee shareholders.”

Hoffmann, in his letter, expressed concern about Lee’s intention to divest $25 million in non-core assets and its recent earnings, which included a net loss of $16 million during the final three months of last year.

He also said he hoped that, by purchasing Lee and combining it with the other media properties that he owns, it would allow it to support and grow the local news outlets.

“We believe this commitment represents a sharp contrast to other potential acquirors, such as non-local hedge funds and investment firms primarily concerned with increasing profits over jobs, local concerns and the power of quality journalism,” Hoffmann wrote.

“Today, more than ever, we embrace the concept that local news is a fundamental component of journalism and the communities it serves, and its preservation is in the best interest of a well-informed public,” Hoffmann wrote.

“I thought, now’s probably a good time to put my money where my mouth is,” Hoffmann said in the interview.

While Hoffmann said the declining sales of newspapers is likely to accelerate, he said Lee’s digital business, which now generates more revenue than its print products, is an asset.

“We believe deft management and navigation of this transition to be essential to Lee’s future viability,” Hoffmann wrote.

Lee’s stock, which has lost 26% of its value over the past year, rallied by almost 14% on Thursday after news of Hoffmann’s letter became public.

Hoffmann’s letter did not include any details on the price he might be willing to pay for Lee, although he indicated that he would like the process to move quickly.

While Hoffmann noted the decline in newspapers, he said he has no plans to move away from them.

“We’re pretty good at getting advertisers to advertise in the hard copy, as well as the transformation into digital media. We think there’s a place for both. And I’d like to preserve that,” Hoffmann said. “I, personally, still like reading the newspaper. A lot of my friends like reading the newspaper ... and I think we can create a new revival of that medium.”

Hoffmann said he spoke with Lee executives Thursday morning and told them the letter was coming. As he built his stake in Lee, Hoffmann had previously expressed interest in potentially acquiring more Lee newspapers.

“It’s been a very positive ongoing dialog. I don’t think they’re surprised about our letter. I don’t think very many people are surprised about our letter,” Hoffmann said. “We’re not an activist, we’re not antagonistic. We’ve been regularly talking.”

Hoffmann, whose net worth was estimated at $2 billion by Forbes magazine, operates dozens of businesses, from real estate developments and wineries to luxury transportation and manufacturers. In all, the Hoffmann Family of Companies employs more than 16,000 people.

“We have a strong record of success in the media industry, as evidenced by our ownership of 14 media companies, including our most recent successful acquisitions of the Napa Valley Register, St. Helena Star and Inside Napa magazine,” which it acquired from Lee.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/business/article_f23c012e-d0e0-466c-b2cf-cc1c221173ce.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Cybersecurity event shuts down systems at The Journal Times

From The Journal Times.com:

Journal Times Staff

Lee Enterprises, the parent company of The Journal Times, was the victim of a cybersecurity event that shut down many of its networks this week.

In a statement to employees, Lee President and CEO Kevin Mowbray said the company is focused on investigating what information, if any, was affected. Lee has notified law enforcement. The company is working to identify and implement steps to help prevent this from happening again.

 Mowbray thanked employees for “above-and-beyond efforts to continue reporting the news and maintaining our operations under challenging circumstances.” 

The outage prevented The Journal Times from producing printed papers or e-editions earlier this week. Since then, the newspaper has produced a smaller newspaper and an e-edition each day.

The newsroom continues to post the latest news, sports entertainment and more on journaltimes.com.

Editors and designers have worked day and night this week to ensure that news is delivered to readers. Some of the processes that are typically automated had to be completed manually, taking more time. To ensure the newspaper was delivered, The Journal Times is temporarily printing a smaller two-section paper. The newspaper will return to its regular format when the issues are resolved.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/cybersecurity-event-shuts-down-systems-jt/article_17f65110-e631-11ef-adb0-ef2f5f2ba146.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

We're working to get things back on track

Mike Boyd

Mike Boyd

One of the phrases bantered around the newsroom when I was working as an editor for one of the global tech giants was, “Technology’s great — until it isn’t.”

This week, a serious technology outage has delayed the production of both the daily print and e-editions of The Journal Times and Kenosha News. We’re working to resolve these issues.

It’s not unusual to receive a couple calls about missed paper delivery because nothing is ever truly perfect.

This week the phone has been ringing more than usual — and understandably so. You expect a paper outside your door in the morning or that the e-edition will be available when you visit journaltimes.com or kenoshanews.com.

It would be difficult to fully express how touching it is that you have been kind, empathetic and understanding when learning about the issues we’ve been dealing with. Our reporters and editors have continued to focus on making sure we provided the latest local news on the websites.

I’m very proud of the professionalism and commitment they display every day in working to give you information that will help you navigate your daily life.

I also appreciate all our papers’ readers and subscribers, and am thankful for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve these technology issues.

Mike Boyd is executive editor the Racine Journal Times, Kenosha News and Lake Geneva Regional News. He can be reached at mike.boyd@journaltimes.com.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/journal-times-kenosha-news-technology-outage/article_9034d394-e4ca-11ef-bac5-27e75e872044.html

Wisconsin Supreme Court rejects Donald Trump's election challenge

From The Journal Times.com:

• RILEY VETTERKIND Lee Newspapers

The Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers. 

STATE OF WISCONSIN

The Wisconsin Supreme Court promptly denied President Donald Trump's request for it to override the popular will of the voters and overturn the state's presidential result, likely securing President-elect Joe Biden's win just before Wisconsin's 10 electors cast their votes for Biden Monday.

The 10 electors representing the Democratic presidential slate will meet in the Capitol to cast their ballots for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. 

In a 4-3 ruling written by conservative-backed Justice Brian Hagedorn and the court's three liberal-backed members, the court affirmed a circuit court's ruling that Biden won the election, and dismissed Trump's challenge as meritless and far too late. 

"Our laws allow the challenge flag to be thrown regarding various aspects of election administration," Hagedorn said. "The challenges raised by the Campaign in this case, however, come long after the last play or even the last game; the Campaign is challenging the rulebook adopted before the season began."

The meeting of the electors is typically a ceremonial task not given much attention, but amid this year's litany of legal maneuvering by Trump and his allies to override the will of the voters and overturn the election result, more attention is being paid to formerly mundane U.S. election procedures. 

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/wisconsin-supreme-court-rejects-donald-trumps-election-challenge/article_7ab9140b-85ad-5a2b-8195-b66d84497139.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Lee Enterprises Midwest Editor Marc Chase: Sex offenses are something our society just can't ignore

From The Journal Times.com:

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has an online database of registered sex offenders. You can search by name, or refine your search to learn if there are registered sex offenders within a 1-, 2- or 3-mile radius of a particular address, then a map pinpointing registered sex offenders in your search area is generated, as shown above when selecting the City of Racine. The website address is: https://appsdoc.wi.gov/public/offenders.

MARC CHASE

Earlier this month, I sat within feet of a 29-year-old man who then stood accused of raping an 8-year-old girl. The scene filled me with plenty of unease wondering if I would be called to stand in judgment of him.

I had been summoned for jury duty in Lake County Criminal Court near my home in Northwest Indiana, and I was three potential jurors away from being interviewed by prosecutors and the defense attorney for the final jury panel.

I felt great relief, for a host of reasons, when that jury panel was finalized before it was my turn to be questioned for possible service.

The last thing any loving parent wants to do is sit through multiple days of testimony about one of the most horrific things that can be done to a child.

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/lee-enterprises-midwest-editor-marc-chase-sex-offenses-are-something-our-society-just-cant-ignore/article_a1dc08ab-f54b-5d39-bbe3-b31d3641f8d0.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

What unadulterated horseshit.  Racine loves its sex offenders.  They are part of the fabric of government.  Multiply the map above by about 10X for a truer picture of the situation.  Want to get somewhere in Racine politics?  Molest a child to prove your worth. 

Trump's Tweet doesn't sit well in Kenosha, a day before his expected arrival

From The Journal Times.com:

DENEEN SMITH Lee Newspapers

Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian speaks during a press conference on Thursday.

KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY SEAN KRAJACIC

KENOSHA — As Kenosha authorities were preparing for a not-universally-welcome visit from President Donald Trump, the president took credit for the continued existence of the city.

“If I didn’t INSIST on having the National Guard activate and go into Kenosha Wisconsin, there would be no Kenosha right now. Also, there would have been great death and injury,” Trump tweeted Monday morning. “I want to thank Law Enforcement and the National Guard. I will see you on Tuesday.”

At a news conference Monday, Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser reacted to the president’s tweet.

“That is a false statement,” Kreuser said.

“Kenosha is a strong community, we were going to come back regardless,” Kreuser added. “We went from 1988 when the assembly plant closed and rebuilt, and we went through the great recession in 2008 and rebuilt and were the hot spot of the Midwest. ... Kenosha’s going to be on the comeback, and for someone to say that we wouldn’t exist but for their actions, I believe it to be false.”

Kreuser and Mayor John Antaramian also reiterated that they felt the timing for the president’s visit was wrong, saying it would put stress on a community trying to recover.

“The timing on this we felt was not good. We did make a request for him to do it at a different time,” Antaramian said. “There are so many things that have gone on in this community, and it just seemed to me, and I think to others, that it would be better for us to be able to pull together and let the community get together and heal up from what has been going on.”

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/trumps-tweet-doesnt-sit-well-in-kenosha-a-day-before-his-expected-arrival/article_e2ff4877-aea0-5428-919f-32d7a5d99787.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Armed neighborhood watch group forms to protect Kenosha subdivision

PETE WICKLUND Lee Newspapers

Gilbert, left, and Jason patrol the entrance of their Kenosha subdivision.

PETE WICKLUN/LEE ENTERPRISES

About a 10-minute drive from Downtown Kenosha, two men stood this week with AR-15 firearms protecting their subdivision.

The armed men were Jason and Gilbert, part of a group of about 10 residents of the subdivision that have been out nights since Tuesday protecting their neighborhood in light of the unrest in Kenosha.

Despite the we-mean-business message the group conveys to passing motorists, The men were anything but threatening Thursday night. They were sincere in their concern for their neighbors and city.

“All we’re doing is making sure the community here is able to go asleep, sleep fine and are not worried about anything,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert cradles an AR-15 firearm while standing guard Thursday night outside his Kenosha subdivision.

PETE WICKLUND/LEE ENTERPRISES

Gilbert, who has lived in the area for 18 years, got involved after seeing other members of the neighborhood guard assembling Tuesday.

The effort was launched after a Neighborhood Watch meeting held in the wake of violence that ensued largely in the city's Downtown and Uptown districts after the police shooting Aug. 23 of Jacob Blake.

“We had a neighborhood Watch meeting, about 20 of us assembled and talked about what we should do," said Jason, who has lived in the neighborhood about 20 years.

Several ideas were thrown about and what was initially settled on was if sentrys in the neighborhood saw potential trouble, they would drive through the subdivision and honk their horns so residents would know something was happening.

Read more: https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/armed-neighborhood-watch-group-forms-to-protect-kenosha-subdivision/article_62c94c0d-b278-5651-aac4-aa51f71da91c.html

With video of shooting and scenes of protests: Involved Kenosha officers on leave

From The Journal Times.com:

Lee Newspapers

EDITOR'S NOTE: Videos are graphic.

KENOSHA — A night of looting, violence and fires took place in Kenosha into the early hours of Monday morning after Kenosha police shot a Black man, who has been publicly identified as Jacob Blake. 

A Kensosha County curfew was put into effect until 7 a.m. late Sunday night and Kenosha Police issued an alert around 2 a.m. saying, "24-hour businesses please consider closing due to numerous arm robberies and shots fired calls." 

At least one dump truck was lit on fire that had been placed to try to divert protesters.  

As of late Sunday evening, Blake was in serious condition at a Milwaukee area hospital. 

The shooting was caught on video and has been widely shared on social media. 

 The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, the Wisconsin Department of Justice stated in a news release early Monday morning.

See and read much more: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/with-video-of-shooting-and-scenes-of-protests-involved-kenosha-officers-on-leave/article_78887c74-565f-5872-930a-4225ee891b08.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

The Journal Times is having a field day with this story.  Check out their site to see it all: The Journal Times.com

From JSOnline:

Kenosha police shoot man; video of incident appears to show officer firing several shots into his back at close range

Read and see more: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2020/08/23/wisconsin-police-shooting-kenosha-cops-shoot-man-sunday-evening/3427347001/

Several people alleged to have helped man flee after Kenosha Police officer shot

From The Journal Times.com:

DENEEN SMITH Lee Newspapers

Several people who helped a man flee Kenosha after allegedly shooting a police officer are facing charges for providing aid, including a woman from Racine. 

Jonathan Massey, 29, is being held on $1 million bond, charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide in the Aug. 8 shooting of Kenosha Police Officer Justin Pruett.

Massey is alleged to have shot Pruett after the officer stopped to speak to him because he matched the description of a suspect in an entry to vehicle complaint. Pruett was shot in the abdomen and is recovering.

According to the criminal complaint, in an encounter partially captured on squad video, Massey is alleged to have shot Pruett in the abdomen after the officer deployed a Taser. Pruett then returned fire, striking Massey as he fled.

Massey was arrested by U.S. Marshals Aug. 12 in Gary, Ind.

According to court documents, several people were with Massey when the shooting occurred, and several helped him flee to Indiana.

Travinna Williams, 30, of Kenosha, is alleged to have driven Massey to a gas station in Harvey, Ill. where he was picked up by a man in a pickup truck. She was charged with harboring a felon and is being held on $50,000 bond.

According to the criminal complaint against Williams, a witness told police that she received a phone call at about 5:20 a.m. Aug. 8 from a woman known as “Sis,” who was later identified as Williams. Sis told the witness “Jonathan’s in some (expletive). We’re coming to get you.” About 25 minutes later, Williams arrived at the witness’ residence in a Jeep, Massey was in the back seat of the vehicle.

The witness said Massey used her phone to make 10 phone calls to a person later identified by police as a man who lives in Gary. Another man was also a passenger in the vehicle.

According to the complaint, Williams stopped at a hospital in Illinois and tried to get Massey to go inside for treatment of his gunshot wound. He refused. They then stopped at a drug store where Williams bought water and bandaging materials.

Three women — Ebony Hughes, 27, and Shydaria Role, 23, both of Kenosha, and Desiree Brown, 26, of Racine — were each charged Tuesday with aiding a felon for their roles in allegedly helping Massey after the shooting. Brown and Hughes are alleged to have been among the people who witnessed the shooting.

According to statements in court, additional charges may be pending against others who allegedly aided Massey when he fled the area.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/several-people-alleged-to-have-helped-man-flee-after-kenosha-police-officer-shot/article_be4568d3-6686-5a44-95ef-6a3b1c1aabdb.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest

UW-Parkside staffer tests positive for COVID-19; Parkside community urged to monitor for symptoms

From The Journal Times.com:

Lee Newspapers

A case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, the Kenosha County Division of Health and UW-Parkside announced jointly Wednesday. 

One staff member tested positive and is presently in isolation, per Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Kenosha County Division of Health recommendations.

The county Division of Health is working with the University to assist in identifying and reaching close contacts of this individual, who will also be required to quarantine for 14 days from the last date of exposure.

Close contacts include those who: 

Had direct physical contact with an infected individual (e.g.: a hug or handshake).

Were within six feet of a COVID-19-positive individual for more than 15 minutes.

Had contact with respiratory secretions from an infected individual (e.g.: were coughed/sneezed on, had contact with dirty tissue, or shared a drinking glass, food or towels or other personal items.

Those who do not receive a phone call from the Division of Health were likely not in contact with the COVID-19-positive individual and are therefore not considered to be in a higher-risk group.

“UW-Parkside has prioritized ensuring the health and safety of the campus community while delivering our academic mission,” said Dr. Renee Kirby, director of Student Health, Counseling and Disability Services.

“As we transition between the summer and fall terms, most faculty and staff are still working remotely. UW-Parkside requires all members of the learning community to wear face coverings in campus facilities; maintain appropriate social distancing; and wash their hands frequently. The University plans to maintain a dashboard of COVID-19 test results performed on campus and of positive COVID-19 cases reported by members of the UW-Parkside learning community.”

Every member of the UW-Parkside learning community is urged to monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms, including but not limited to: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, headaches, etc. Employees who become symptomatic should call their health care provider and students should contact the Student Health Center.

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/uw-parkside-staffer-tests-positive-for-covid-19-parkside-community-urged-to-monitor-for-symptoms/article_04238f70-ddd1-53a3-b83b-30543b04cc74.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Racine Unified still planning remote start to the school year

From The Journal Times.com:

Lee Newspapers

RACINE — Racine Unified is not reconsidering its decision to start the school year remotely, Stacy Tapp, the district's chief of communication and community engagement, said on Wednesday. 

This comes after Kenosha Unified's school board voted Tuesday night to reverse its July 28 decision to start the year virtually. Kenosha Unified changed course, now giving students the option to attend virtually or in-person, after hearing parent complaints about the burden of an exclusively virtual plan.  

Issues mentioned included maintaining employment while having to stay home and supervise their children's learning. 

Kenosha Unified is set to start classes Sept. 14. Racine Unified will begin Sept. 1. 

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/racine-unified-still-planning-remote-start-to-the-school-year/article_b8199631-49ee-5e29-9616-dd16bcff9ed1.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Kenosha Unified to start with in-person option, board rescinds earlier decision

From The Journal Times.com:

TERRY FLORES Lee Newspaper

The Kenosha Unified School Board voted unanimously to rescind its July 28 decision to start schools virtually.

Students who attend their schools will have the option to come to school in-person or opt for virtual attendance of classes, but would have to decide on the method of delivery by the first week of September.

The board by a vote of 7-0 reversed its decision Tuesday night after hearing from numerous parents who lodged their criticisms of an exclusive virtual plan to begin school amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Many parents had cited hardships, including employment, if they had to remain at home to assist with schooling virtual learning. The board then voted 7-0 to restart school with in-person and virtual options beginning Sept. 14.

An earlier survey of the parents indicated that a majority of families preferred in-person learning for their children. The original plan called for the district to provide in-person and virtual options. However, the board voted 5-2 in July to start the year virtually due to upticks in the number of coronavirus cases locally at the time.

The board also voted unanimously to start the sports season with low-risk sports, such as cross country, on Aug. 24 and high-risk sports, such as football, Sept. 7.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/education/kenosha-unified-to-start-with-in-person-option-board-rescinds-earlier-decision/article_0f5e193e-3556-5dfe-85ec-0b7860510196.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1