SLC Dems' "Elevate the Conversation" series hosts Ken Tingley

The St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee is pleased to announce the first speaker in the inaugural season of the “Elevate the Conversation” speakers’ tour. The immediate goal of “Elevate the Conversation” is to provide an outlet for speakers and participants in St. Lawrence County to expand thought and discussion in a civil and productive way. The long-term goal is to improve life and relationships in the North Country through a better understanding of the lives and concerns of our neighbors.

The first speaker in the series is celebrated author Ken Tingley, author of The Last American Newspaper. Mr. Tingley will be appearing at the NYSUT Building (59 Lawrence Ave. Potsdam, NY) on Wednesday March 22, 2023, at 6:00pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Tingley spent the last 21 years as editor of The Post-Star in Glens Falls, N.Y. where he carved out a national reputation for great journalism. Nine times his newspaper was named the top newspaper its size in upstate New York and in 2009 it won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing.

It tackled big issues like underage drinking, domestic violence, suicide, gun control, nursing home care, and the heroin epidemic that made a difference in the communities the newspaper served. Tingley released “The Last American Newspaper” in September 2022. 

Tingley was honored eight times by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists for his column writing and has approximately 75 journalism awards to his credit. His first book - The Last American Editor - is a collection of 83 of his columns.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand had this to say about Ken’s latest book:

“One of the greatest privileges of being a U.S. Senator is getting to meet the people of New York and hear their stories. In his thoughtful reporting — and now in his fantastic new book — Ken Tingley has searched out those stories that so often go unheard and brought them to light. Local papers and reporters play such a vital and trusted role in our society and our democracy and — like many New Yorkers — I rely on them to stay connected and informed about what our communities need. The knowledge I gain from local reporting and hometown papers makes me a better public servant. “The Last American Newspaper” is a celebration of Hometown U.S.A., of the importance of America’s journalists and of the work of a great American editor.”