SAN MARCOS — Winners in the 2020-21 Texas Better Newspaper Contest were announced July 30 in the closing event of the annual Texas Press Association Convention and Trade Show.

BRENHAM – Jeff Parra is the new publisher of The Banner-Press in Brenham.
Fred Hartman, general partner, announced the appointment, praising Parra's experience and leadership.
A veteran of nearly three decades in the newspaper industry, Parra replaced Derek Hall.

PORT ARANSAS – Port Aransas South Jetty news editor Dan Parker has been promoted to editor, and general manager Kelli Hartig is taking on responsibilities more in keeping with her title.
Owners Mary Henkel and Murray Judson will remain as co-publishers while turning over leadership of the day-to-day operations of the newspaper to Parker and Hartig.

Members are gearing up for the annual Texas Press Association Convention and Trade Show later this month, where in addition to industry sessions, awards and networking opportunities, new officers and board members will be elected and installed to reorganize for 2022-23.
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel, Convention Center and Spa is headquarters for the July 28-30 event.

As more questions arise about the actions of law enforcement responding to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde May 24, some state and local officials have stopped responding to open records requests about the investigations into the massacre.
News outlets across the state and the country have reported their public information requests are being stalled or denied.

In the weeks following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, when 19 children and two teachers were killed and 17 other adults and children were injured, official stories have changed, information released by various agencies has been corrected and/or retracted and law enforcement’s actions have been scrutinized, prompting some state and local officials to stop releasing public