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world. Lee Enterprises' papers in Iowa partnered with Gannett papers for a project called "Iowa Mourns." Chase said he thought that model could be adapted in Indiana. So, he worked with HSPA's execu- tive director Steve Key and newspapers around the state to launch "Hoosiers We've Lost." "I was so pleased with the way HSPA was able to help us facilitate this with their members and how quickly the interest was just there — a number of often competing companies that were willing to jump in and share con- tent," Chase said. The project, where papers contributed and then would have access to content from other newsrooms, involved 11 differ- ent entities including Chase's Lee paper, Gannett and CNHI publications. The Times NWI received sponsorship for their 12-page special section. Other papers took different approaches but all had a template to work from. The biggest goal was to per- sonalize the pandemic. "You have two things going on here," Chase said. "One is the human face aspect and two is just the gravity of the num- bers, seeing all of these together, knowing it's not anywhere near the 12,000 — but still seeing an entire broadsheet page taken up with faces it's like, wow." This cooperative effort could open the door for more group storytelling projects. "There are going to be times that arise in the future where the pooling of our resources will better serve all of our readers," Chase said. "This was sort of a first crack at it. It'd be nice to translate this and use it for other big things in the future. I think we have a model now for that." Alvie Lindsay said when Chase approached him about the project, he saw it as an opportu- nity to provide a show of unity with newspapers across the state in their coverage of the pandemic. Lindsay, news and investigations director at The Indianapolis Star engaged other Gannett properties across the state to participate. "I think this is a really good reminder for the public that they know we're here to serve them and their interests," Lindsay said. "Regardless of whether or not you're a small paper in one part of the state or a large paper in the state capitol, we have the same goals in terms of wanting to serve our audience and make sure we're here for all Hoosiers." As a part of its pandemic coverage, The Star already had an obituary project in place not long into the crisis. So,adapting content and showing the range of people affected by the disease for the "Hoosiers We've Lost" effort was easy, Lindsay said. The point of this project is to humanize the tragedy of the pandemic and bring it home, for Hoosiers in a way that they can see not only their friends and their neighbors but, in some ways, themselves in the cover- age, Lindsay said. "This virus obviously knows no demographic or geographic boundaries. So, it was impor- tant to make this an intentional part of the effort just to remind people that it doesn't really mat- ter where you come from, the color of your skin or how much money you have in your bank account or where you live," Lindsay said. "The reality is this virus is deadly. Hoosiers from across the state, from all walks of life have lost loved ones." Like Chase, Lindsay said he sees the potential for collaborative storytelling projects in the future. "My hope is that maybe this will be the start of some other statewide efforts that we might be able to get involved with," Lindsay said. "There's a lot of incentive for us to be involved in statewide projects both on a Gannett level and a HSPA level as well." "I look forward to the pros- pects of what we might be able to do in the future," Chase said. Page 2 March 2021 "I think this is a really good reminder for the public that they know we're here to serve them and their interests." — Alvie Lindsay, news and investigations director, The Indianapolis Star HSPA Board of Directors Mark Miller, The News-Banner (Bluffton) "There are going to be times that arise in the future where the pooling of our resources will better serve all of our readers." — Marc Chase, executive editor, Times of Northwest Indiana and midwest regional editor for Lee Enterprise. Hoosiers Continued from Page 1 Connect with us. Follow HSPA on Twitter & Facebook. @OurRight2Know • facebook.com/HoosierStatePressAssociation

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