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Texas Press Messenger

New hires, promotions and other staff changes as reported in Texas newspapers.

TRISH CHOATE

Gannett

WICHITA FALLS – Trish Choate has been named editor of the Gannett newspapers in Wichita Falls, Abilene and San Angelo.

Choate served as interim editor of the publications beginning in March.

Obituaries published in the January 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

WILLIAM WALLACE

BEAUMONT – Former Wharton County Journal-Spectator publisher William (Bill) Wallace died Dec. 6. He was 72.

ANALYSIS By DONNIS BAGGETT, Texas Press Association

AUSTIN — It’s a busy season for the newspaper folk who have your back on the battleground of Texas politics. And we need your help.

As the year draws to a close, TPA members are encouraged to start selecting their best work in 2024 to enter in the Texas Better Newspaper Contest.

The contest opens for entries on Jan. 20 on the ACES contest platform, the online system used for the past two years. Entries submitted should have been published during the 2024 calendar year. Deadline for entries is Feb. 18.

LOCKHART – After 45 years as publisher of the 152-year-old Lockhart Post-Register, Dana Garrett is stepping down as publisher and naming Leesa Teale to take his place.

KERRVILLE – The Kerrville Daily Times has a new publisher with a small-town upbringing, a love of tight-knit communities and an appreciation for what the Texas Hill Country represents.

John Wells came to Kerrville from Bainbridge, Georgia, where he has served as publisher of The Post-Searchlight newspaper.

Publications

Texas Press Messenger

a monthly newspaper featuring the latest news in the Texas newspaper industry and beyond; the official voice of the Texas Press Association since 1926

TPA e-Newsletter

helpful information publishers need to know, the latest TPA membership news and event information, sent directly to your inbox once each month

Texas Newspaper Directory

the annual directory of all paid-circulation newspapers in Texas; identifies key managers, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Web addresses and circulation; lists newspapers by county and group ownership; includes Associate Members, Board Members, TPA Staff and a list of all press associations

Winners' Circle

a publication of the annual Texas Better Newspaper Contest results

State Capital Highlights

a weekly aggregation of news about state government; available by subscription for member newspapers to publish

Law and the Media in Texas

online handbook for journalists on newsgathering, public access and ethical and legal issues, written by David McHam; co-sponsored by TPA and the Texas Association of Broadcasters