Industry News

News about Texas newspapers and news people reported in the February 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

Shrader chairs Nimitz Foundation board

FREDERICKSBURG – Veteran newspaper publisher and former TPA president Greg Shrader is the new board chairman for the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, which operates the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg.

A member of the board for 20 years, Shrader succeeds Case D. Fischer, who served as chairman for 13 years.

A native Texan, Shrader retired in 2015 after more than 40 years in the Texas newspaper business, including serving as editor and publisher of the Kerrville Daily Times and editor and publisher of The Lufkin Daily News. While leading the Kerrville Daily Times, he began his association with the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and was elected to its board of directors in 2004.

Shrader earned a bachelor of science degree in advertising at The University of Texas at Austin, followed by a master of arts in journalism from the same institution.

Included among Shrader’s numerous civic and professional associations, he served as president of the Texas Newspaper Ad Managers Association and is one of only two individuals to serve as president of both The Texas Daily Newspaper Association and the Texas Press Association.

He has chaired Kerr County United Way, the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce, Schreiner University Hill Country College Fund and Peterson Health, among others. He currently serves as president of the Texas Newspaper Foundation and was inducted into the Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2022. Shrader and his wife Laura live in Kerrville.

The Admiral Nimitz Foundation was established in 1971 to provide additional development funding for the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Naval Museum, a museum honoring Fredericksburg’s native son and the Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, Pacific Ocean Area.

Granite Media Partners cites Payne as reporter of year

LIBERTY - Granite Media Partners recently recognized Vindicator managing editor Russell Payne as reporter of the year.

The recognition comes on the heels of a major news year locally, including several stories that made national and world news, such as a mass murder, the Daisetta sinkhole and the ongoing controversy surrounding Colony Ridge.

“Russell has tackled some of Southeast Texas’ biggest stories in 2023,” said Thomas Edwards, Granite vice president for content. Edwards recognized Payne’s work and consistent positive attitude as some of the attributes that earned him this distinction.

Vindicator Publisher Jennifer Gray Richardson agreed that Payne deserved the honor and strives to strengthen the content of the 136-year-old news source.

Payne began his career with The Vindicator in 1998 and has worked at numerous stops across Texas, but he had the opportunity to rejoin the staff in 2020 as advertising director and eventually moved over to managing editor.

“I am so honored to be a part of The Vindicator. It is more than just a newspaper to me. Liberty County is home, and I get to work at home and share stories of the community that means the world to me,” Payne said.

Reporter News switching to postal delivery

ABILENE – The Abilene Reporter News is switching to postal delivery in February.

“The Abilene Reporter News is committed to providing a quality print product as well as full digital coverage of local news and events for the city of Abilene. Making this shift ensures the continuity of service for our loyal print readers in Abilene,” said ARN editor Claire Kowalick.

Gannett Co. Inc., which operates more than 200 daily local newspapers including Abilene Reporter News, has already successfully introduced the approach in dozens of markets across the country, and is expanding the initiative.

“For many years now, the printed newspaper has served as a culmination of the stories that will become our collective history, while our websites and mobile apps deliver the news of the day,” said Michael A. Anastasi, VP of Local News for Gannett. “We know that by the time our informed readers pick up the paper, they know what happened yesterday – the print newspaper should provide additional context, to help readers better understand their community and the world around them.”