As 2023 draws to a close, staffers of TPA member newspapers should start thinking about coverage, photos, special sections and other work they will enter in the next Texas Better Newspaper Contest. The contest opens for entries Jan. 22, so it’s already time to start narrowing down choices and gathering page PDFs for entries.

By AL CROSS

University of Kentucky

Nonprofit newspaper journalism, until now largely a feature of urban areas, is going rural – especially if the National Trust for Local News keeps up what it’s doing and plans to do.

Lange Svehlak, publisher of the Athens Daily Review, has been appointed regional publisher of CNHI’s newspapers in East Texas.

Svehlak’s expanded responsibilities now include the Corsicana Daily Sun, Huntsville Item, Jacksonville Progress, and Palestine Herald-Press. He replaces Jake Mienk as group publisher.

Former Lufkin Daily News staff writer Jess Huff has joined the Texas Tribune as its East Texas reporter.

Huff, who won numerous investigative reporting awards while writing for the LDN, continues to be based in Lufkin as she reports on issues of importance throughout the Pineywoods region.

Promotions, appointments, new hires and other personnel changes reported by Texas newspapers.

JOSH HAVARD

STACY FAISON

The Lufkin Daily News

LUFKIN – Two longtime staff members have taken on new roles at The Lufkin Daily News.

Obituaries published in the December 2023 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

Ramón Rentería

EL PASO – Ramon Renteria, a veteran reporter and columnist and editor for The El Paso Times who covered local news, politics, education and culture for more than four decades, died on Nov. 3 at his home. He was 75.