Four newspaper legends honored with 2025 Milwaukee Press Club Media Hall of Fame induction – Wisconsin Newspaper Association

Four newspaper legends have been inducted Oct. 3, 2025 into the Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame throughout a dinner held within the Simone Ballroom at Saint Kate — The Arts Hotel, situated at 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. in Milwaukee. 

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association was a presenting sponsor of the 2025 Milwaukee Press Club Media Hall of Fame Dinner and Ceremony.

The 4 newspaper legends inducted included:

Tannette Johnson-Elie, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and University of Wisconsin-Parkside (retired);

Kristyn Halbig Ziehm, Ozaukee Press;

Tom Heinen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (retired); and

Lori Nickel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Our Hall of Fame keeps getting better and better,” mentioned Tom Daykin, MPC president-elect.  “This year’s honorees represent the best in local journalism. It’s so critically important to celebrate their impactful work and dedication to our industry and community.”

The MPC established the Milwaukee Media Hall of Fame in 1980 to honor the women and men who formed journalism within the Milwaukee space. 

The membership’s Past President’s Council nominates the inductees, with these nominations going to the membership’s board of governors for approval. 

In 1988, the membership added a posthumous honor. It is now customary to yearly induct 5 dwelling and 5 deceased journalists into the corridor. 

The inductions are made throughout a fall banquet. Previous HOF inductees included Tom Haudricourt (2024), Meg Jones (2022), Meg Kissinger (2019), Jim Miklaszewski (2016), Don Walker (2016), Vince O’Hern (2014), David Zweifel (2013), Vern Arendt (2008), Jim Clifford (2006), Bud Lea (2004), Elliott Maraniss (2003) and Frank Aukofer (2001). 

For further details about the inductees, contact Lexie Deblitz, MPC govt director, at lexie@milwaukeepressclub.org.