"The tariffs on newsprint are just an unnecessary impediment to a publisher who is providing what every community needs, and is brave enough to embark on a new course to keep the paper viable."

By Matt Paxton,
Lexington News-Gazette, first published online by NNA

AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar in San Antonio on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, featuring training in public meeting and public records laws. The First Amendment Institute later that day will instruct journalists on press rights.
The non-profit FOI Foundation, in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, is organizing the one-day seminar. It is designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and anyone interested in the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act.

The 19th Annual Robert Burns Classic Golf Tournament benefiting the Texas Newspaper Foundation opens the 2018 TPA Summer Leadership Retreat in Montgomery.
The final TPA Summer Retreat is scheduled June 21-23 at LaTorretta Lake Resort and Spa on Lake Conroe in Montgomery.
Tee times start at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 21, at the LaTorretta Golf course. Century Link is sponsor for the event. 

Learning, celebrating, commemorating and winning are all on the agenda for Texas Press Association’s final Summer Leadership Retreat June 21-23 at La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa on Lake Conroe in Montgomery.
The event features speakers, member-led group discussions, a legislative update, the annual Golden 50 Award and the Texas Better Newspaper Contest awards brunch. 
Registration forms are available online at www.texaspress.com. 

The 2018 series of regional Open Government Seminars continues May 1 in Houston.
The free seminars are hosted by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The one-day seminars are designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and anyone interested in the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. The first session was held at the University of Texas at Arlington.

President Trump signed an executive order April 12 creating a task force to study the financial difficulties of the US Postal Service and recommend restructuring the agency.
Most news reports indicate the move was prompted by the President's assertion that online retailer Amazon's deal for low shipping rates is hurting the postal service financially. 

Leadership changes announced at Texas newspapers.

In 1787 Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to Edward Carrington, whom he had sent as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In the letter, Jefferson stressed the importance of a free press, specifically newspapers.
Jefferson understood that one of the most important checks on government power was a well-informed electorate. 

By Randy Keck, publisher,  The Community News, Aledo

WASHINGTON—Rural newspaper publishers from all over the country came to Washington in March to plead their case against new tariffs that will increase the cost of newsprint—still a key cost for newspapers, which depend on print advertising even as they try to increase their digital revenue.

By Al Cross
Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues

• Newsprint is one of the grades of paper in a category called Uncoated Groundwood paper or UGW.