Russ and Lori Pankonin tapped for Journalism Hall of Fame induction

    Russ and Lori Pankonin, former owners of The Imperial Republican, Grant Tribune Sentinel and Colorado’s Holyoke Enterprise, will be among six people inducted into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame later this year.
    The Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Nebraska Press Association and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
    The award honors those persons who have made significant contributions to journalism in their communities, state or nation.
    Since the first Hall of Fame ceremony in 1975 was held, 118 honorees have been inducted.
    The Pankonins will be the first husband and wife team to be inducted.
    Russ Pankonin grew up on a farm in rural Grant, graduated from Perkins County High School, and earned a business degree from Kearney State College in 1980.
    The former Lori Johnson grew up in Imperial, graduated from Chase County High School and earned a business degree from Kearney State College in 1981.
    The couple joined Lori’s family newspaper business as co-publishers of the Wauneta Breeze in 1982.
    The Pankonins worked as a team their entire 39-year journalism careers. Both wrote personal columns throughout their careers, titled “Shootin’ the Breeze” and “Another Perspective,” creating a sense of connection with their readers. Russ also wrote lead editorials for the Wauneta, Imperial and Grant newspapers.
    After 15 years in Wauneta, they moved to Imperial with their daughters and purchased Johnson Publications, Inc., in 1999 with Lori’s sister, Brenda Brandt, from Lori’s parents, Loral and Elna Johnson.
    Their roles as co-owners included oversight of The Imperial Republican, Wauneta Breeze, Grant Tribune-Sentinel and The Holyoke Enterprise, along with a diverse commercial printing business.
    They sold Johnson Publications in November 2021.
    The Pankonins were integrally involved in their community in many ways, which gave them insight to the needs and priorities of the towns they served, using the newspaper forum to promote public involvement.
    They were devoted to their industry, both serving on Nebraska Press Association board of directors and various committees. Russ served as president of the Nebraska Press Advertising Service in 1998, and president of NPA in 2007.
    Formal Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held in October in Lincoln.