Tom Curley, president and chief executive officer of The Associated Press, second from right, visits with, from left, Rich Clarkson, a photojournalist and 2007 recipient of the William Allen White Foundation’s national citation; Tim Bengtson, head of the strategic communications track at Kansas University; and longtime Lawrence broadcaster Tom Hedrick, right, during a reception Thursday at the Alvamar Golf and Country Club.

Kansas newspaper leaders from across the state gathered Thursday evening in Lawrence and offered their opinions on issues facing the state.

The editors and publishers joined local Kansas University officials and other members of the William Allen White Foundation for a dinner at Alvamar Golf and Country Club.

All across the state, jobs and the economy remain particularly salient issues in local communities.

John D. Montgomery, editor and publisher of The Hutchinson News, said that in his community, the recession feels a little more isolated.

“I’m sure we’re suffering in Hutchinson and Reno County, but not as badly as, say, Wichita,” he said, adding that periods of strong growth are also slow to reach the area. “I think we’re just a little more isolated.”

His community has an eye toward Washington to see where stimulus dollars might fall, Montgomery said, which could have an impact on a highway project ongoing in the area.

The state and national budget crisis is being felt in Hays, said Pat Lowry, editor and publisher of The Hays Daily News.

The citizens of the town have definitely taken notice, he said.

“They’re concerned about the manufacturing base,” Lowry said. “They’ve done some layoffs.”

And the state’s budget crisis could be felt in the city’s school district and local university, which are both awaiting final say from the Legislature on their spending capabilities.

“We’re treading water cautiously,” Lowry said. “We’re really waiting to see what the final result is going to be.”

Meanwhile, Doug Anstaett, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, and his organization continue to push for stricter public notice rules and for a shield law for reporters in Kansas.

Such a law would prevent reporters from having to testify in cases where they would have to reveal information about the newsgathering process, including identifying sources for material.

“We spend most of our time just lobbying for open government,” he said of his association.

The group is in town to commemorate William Allen White Day today. Tom Curley, president and CEO of The Associated Press, is scheduled to receive the William Allen White citation today at KU.