I have a folder called "News" with a couple of news items and a news item asset list under it. Is there a way to get the bodycopy of the news item asset list to display when I select the News folder from my navigation menu so there's not a blank screen?
Yes, using Paint Layouts.
Cheers.
I haven't had a good mess about with paint layouts as yet. Might be a good time…
edit
Which manual describes the Paint Layout Asset?
I actually have no idea, to be honest. 
I'll have to check on that.
However, a simpler solution is to replace the Folder asset with the Asset Listing itself. So, you have your News items sitting underneath the Asset Listing which sits where the Folder asset is now.
I'll discuss this in more detail with you guys when I'm onsite. Its just another way of thinking: Matrix doesn't really use folders the same way as static websites do.