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Postal task force releases final report, recommendations

The Task Force report on the United States Postal System released this week by the U.S. Department of the Treasury does not recommend privatizing the postal service.

Texas Medical Association accepting entries for Anson Jones Awards

Jan. 10 is deadline for entries in the Texas Medical Association’s Anson Jones awards recognizing general interest journalists in 11 award categories tailored for print media by market size and story length, for online media, and for radio and television. 
Those who covered health or medical stories this year, from issues in the state and national spotlights to homegrown news, are encouraged to enter their work. Up to four entries may be entered in one or more categories. Any work published in 2018 is eligible. 

Marketing Mail, saturation shoppers get higher postal increases

A U.S. Postal Service rate case was filed Oct. 10 for changes effective Jan. 27, 2019.
The inflationary cap allowed USPS was about 2.5 percent. Here are details of the proposal. See the charts referenced here.
IN-COUNTY MAIL

NORPAC's appeal of ITC ruling striking down tariffs given little chance of success

North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC), the hedge fund-owned paper mill in Washington state that lobbied for tariffs on Canadian newsprint, took the first steps towards appealing the U.S. International Trade Commission’s decision to lift the duties that had been imposed for several months this year. 
NORPAC gave formal notice of the appeal of the ITC decision on October 17, days after the commission released the public version of its final determination in the newsprint tariff case. 

Free Speech Week starts today

Free Speech Week (FSW) begins today, Oct. 22, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 28. Media organizations, schools, universities, and community groups around the country will promote free speech and freedom of the press in their own ways throughout the week.
Free Speech Week is a non-partisan, non-political, week-long commemorative event, now in its 14th year. The week seeks to enhance awareness of free speech and a free press in the United States among all age groups and walks of life.

Higher postal rates set for January but USPS continues to struggle

Postage increases will make their annual appearance in January as the struggling U.S. Postal Service picks targets for some hikes while leaving other mailers with a closer-to-inflation increase. USPS has seen a deteriorating financial picture all year, with Congress unable either to pass postal reform legislation or, until just weeks ago, even provide USPS with a governing board.
New rates go into effect Jan. 27, 2019.

TPA honors Sen. Kirk Watson as Friend of the First Amendment

Citing his longtime support of government transparency and his hard work to restore public access during the 2017 legislative session, Texas Press Association named Texas Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, a Friend of the First Amendment.
TPA Executive Vice President Donnis Baggett said Watson's work to preserve First Amendment protections and access to government information earned him the award. 

TPA members urged to participate in Pulse Survey

Texas Press Association members have an opportunity to get updated consumer survey statistics for their sales presentations through participation in Pulse Research’s national purchasing survey.
Pulse Research conducts the survey twice each year to compile statistics about consumers’ shopping plans – with results spanning more than 500 business types and more than 1,000 products and services. The current survey is under way now through the first week of January.

New book details events in Rockport-Fulton, ground zero for Hurricane Harvey

(ROCKPORT-FULTON, TX) – A book chronicling what happened when Hurricane Harvey first hit the shores of Aransas County, through the storm's first anniversary, has been released by Mike Probst, editor and publisher of The Rockport Pilot, Aransas County's semi-weekly newspaper.

Texas newspapers champion local news coverage

On Aug. 16, hundreds of newspapers across the country responded to a call for editorials emphasizing the role of a free press the country's history as a democracy and reminding readers that journalists are not the enemy of the people.
This was a significant point for the editorial boards of local, community newspapers, who took the opportunity to point out the important work their staffs do. 
Here are some excerpts from some of the editorials published by Texas newspapers on Aug. 16.

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