Dispatches from the NNA

By Austin Lewter, director, Texas Center for Community Journalism

I pen this column from the Embassy Suites in downtown Omaha. I am here for the 138th convention of the National Newspaper Association convention. 

This is my first NNA convention, and I am happy to say it won’t be my last. 

I am also happy to report that I am not the only Texan here. 

I just had breakfast with the “Texas Delegation,” as it were. 

There is Randy Keck— a former TPA president who will accept the gavel as the NNA Foundation chair tonight. 

There is Ken Esten Cooke and his wife Christine Granados of Fredricksburg fame. They are here too. 

Ken is another TPA past president who sits on the NNA Foundation board with Randy. 

I was humbled when they asked me to join that same board and serve with them. 

There is Sue Brown— our consummate TPA champion. Sue is here on behalf of the TPA. 

The TPA is a sponsor of the NNA convention. 

Laurie Ezzell Brown is in the delegation. 

We’ll be screening “For the Record” this afternoon and Laurie will engage in a Q&A hosted by Randy.

Brett Wesner is here too. He owns newspapers in Texas and is a past president of NNA. 

It has been a wonderful convention. 

I hosted a session yesterday on newsroom AI policy. It was as well received here as it was the NETPA and Panhandle Press Conventions earlier this year. 

I’ve run into folks like Benjy Hamm and Katelyn Mary Skaggs— both of whom have collaborated on TCCJ workshops. 

But, more than anything, I’ve been able to grow my community newspaper tribe. 

Texas is a big place and the TPA does vital work. We are blessed to have such an active press association, but the NNA’s nationwide membership affords us the ability to hone in National issues with an amplified voice. 

The NNA leads the pack on postal issues with periodical mailing that affect publishers every week. The association also have a voice in the discussion about tariffs on newsprint and printing plates. 

The NNA promotes a nationwide peer network that offers unending support to the community newspapers.

The NNA is worth your attention. If you are not a member, I encourage you to learn more and consider joining. 

Community journalism is a community— a family. It will take all of us working together to chart a success path forward in our industry. 

The more voices at the table, the better. NNA is another means of making sure your voice is heard. 

You can learn more at www.nna.org or by reaching out to Randy, Ken or me personally.

Austin Lewter is director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism. He may be reached at alewter@tarleton.edu.