I do my best to keep up with the news, especially my coworkers' media reporting and analysis. Some busy weeks, that's nearly impossible. That's why I'm thrilled that Poynter managing editor Ren LaForme started an editor's choice newsletter called Open Tabs.

This short, Friday afternoon email tells you which three stories you should read now — and why. You'll never miss our best journalism from the week, including reporting from the International Fact-Checking Network, MediaWise and PolitiFact. You'll also get behind-the-scenes insight and lessons about how each story came together.

Subscribe to Open Tabs here. 

For more lessons, resources and jobs(!), keep scrolling.

-Andrew DeLong, director of teaching operations

• What the future workplace dynamic — hybrid or otherwise — demands of senior leaders
• Protecting and caring for your staff as you move forward together
• Retaining and continuing to challenge your best people
• Processing feedback about your communication style from your inner circle to become a more effective leader
• Understanding how you respond to crisis so you can improve your conflict management skills
• Strategies for building a successful newsroom that is influential with new audiences

Online group seminar, Sept. 20-Oct. 16, 2021

Making stories work involves more than just teases and live shots. This eight-session, four-week online seminar will help you expand your expertise as a TV producer with new writing, storytelling, coaching and ethical decision-making skills.

This program can truly accelerate your career. Graduates of Poynter's training for producers include Adrienne Roark, who was promoted to president of CBS Stations in July, and Rashida Jones, who took the helm of MSNBC as president in February.

The Poynter Producer Project is long on practicality and low on theory. This September, Poynter senior faculty Al Tompkins and a five-star lineup of visiting professionals will stretch your leadership muscles and increase your value to your newsroom.

Online group seminar, Nov. 1-22, 2021

This course — returning this fall by popular demand! — will give journalism educators an opportunity to make a real impact on the future diversity, inclusion and equity efforts of American newsrooms when they model those values in the classroom.

You will learn how to modify your current teaching to include more diverse classroom examples, readings, videos and speakers. You will understand where, how and why to examine materials for diverse voices. You will develop the instinct to audit the makeup of the topics, sources and authors you introduce into your teaching, and how to pivot to ensure diverse voices are represented.

Your lead faculty is Dr. Earnest Perry, associate dean of graduate studies at the University of Missouri, a researcher, educator and consultant who specializes in issues related to diversity and inclusion. Barbara Allen, Poynter’s director of college programming, will facilitate.

The 2022 Media Transformation Challenge (MTC) Program: A Poynter Institute Executive Fellowship
Online and in-person, Jan. 10, 2022– Jan. 9, 2023
This yearlong program, formerly operated as the Punch Sulzberger Program at Columbia, is designed for executive editors, presidents, publishers, founders and other top-level media leaders. Deliver real results for your enterprise with help from MTC’s world-class tools, concepts, coaches, peer group, and alumni network. Apply by Dec. 3, 2021.

This in-depth editing seminar is for experienced editors who are seeking to move their work to a new level. You’ll hone your skills and edit strategically, going beyond editing for style, grammar and punctuation. Cost: $449. Enroll now. Members of ACES get a $50 discount when they enroll.

Open Records Success: Strategies for Writing Requests and Overcoming Denials
One-hour, self-directed course
Learn successful strategies for requesting the records you want, as well as tips for overcoming an agency’s denials. Cost: Free. Learn more.

Language, Math and News Literacy Certificate
10-hour, self-directed course
This new triple certificate from Poynter will ensure students have mastered the fundamental skills needed to pursue a career in communications. Cost: $64.95 per student. Learn more.