The winner of the hotly contested Texas House of Representatives speaker’s race is a past winner of the Texas Press Association Friend of the First Amendment award. That’s good news for Texas newspapers.

Analysis by By DONNIS BAGGETT, Texas Press Association

Texas Press Association is seeking nominations for awards to be presented at the 2025 TPA Convention & Trade Show June 19-21 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center.

The honors include:

• Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame

The 20th anniversary Sunshine Week observance March 16-22 features an open government conference in Washington, D.C.

Activities are coordinated by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, with support from the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation.

In a purchase effective Jan. 1, Moser Community Media, LLC has acquired the Fort Bend Herald, Alvin Sun, Alvin Advertiser and Wharton County Leader-Journal from Hartman Newspapers.

Murray and Mary Judson were honored at an impromptu retirement party on New Year’s Eve, hosted by their daughter and son-in-law Libby and Tom Ryan.

PORT ARANSAS – With the sale of the Port Aransas South Jetty effective Jan. 1, Murray and Mary Judson celebrated their first New Year’s in retirement.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists has announced the opening of the 2025 Diamond Journalism Awards. The annual contest is open to professional and student journalists, freelancers and communications professionals from  Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.