In the last few weeks I felt inspired and full of hope about the future of journalism and newspapers in general. It came from a most unexpected place.
I recently attended both the NETPA conference and the STPA / TGCPA conference. The speakers were all quite good, the discussions were helpful and enjoyable. It was all wonderful, but what blew me away were the young people who attended.
By LISA CHAPPELL, TPA President 2025-2026
The months-long election season is taxing enough as newsrooms stretch resources to monitor candidates and campaigns in addition to delivering everyday reports. All aspects of election coverage are put under the microscope. Fairness and consistency are paramount in today’s supercharged political environment.
By Jim Pumarlo, Consultant
Newsrooms should brainstorm now to develop plans. The stronger your organization, the better you’ll be in to handle unexpected circumstances that are certain to arise.
Top lawmakers back lifting camp safety law
Top Texas legislators are pushing to waive a new state law that requires camps to install broadband fiber optics in order to legally operate this summer, The Dallas Morning News reported. Scores of camps are struggling to meet the deadline. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows released a statement last week saying they support lifting the law.
High gas prices eating into Texans’ budgets
The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Texas has risen from $2.55 in early February to $3.91 as of Sunday, according to AAA. Diesel prices hover around $5 a gallon. The average Texan now spends $233 a month on gasoline, according to a study reported in The Texas Tribune.
Texas awards first $400 million in school vouchers
State officials began sending out the first notices to families awarded education vouchers last week, the Houston Chronicle reported. In the first round, 42,644 qualified, mostly students with special needs who are considered the highest priority.
Cost for future water needs could reach $174B
Texas will need to invest $174 billion over the next 50 years to keep up with water demand, according to a draft 2027 state water plan approved last week, the Austin American-Statesman reported. That is more than twice the projected cost in the previous state water plan published in 2022.
Patrick warns GOP could lose state House majority
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned last week that the GOP risks losing its majority in the state House this November and urged party unity behind the winner of the May runoff between U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Without that unity, Patrick said that state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee, could win, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Border wall through Big Bend apparently on hold
After public outcry, a physical border wall through Big Bend National Park appears to be on hold, The Texas Tribune reported.
On Monday evening, March 16, my wife and I had finished dinner and were settling in to watch a recording of the national news when my phone rang. The number and name identified the caller as the general manager for our newspaper in Gatesville. I could not think of a “newspaper” reason for her to call that evening, and my heart stopped for a beat, wondering if something was wrong with her or her family.
Election season is under way. Many would say the cycle never ends. No sooner are votes tallied than strategists eye the next election. Make no mistake, many lawmakers routinely cast votes with one eye on policy and one eye on politics, especially if they are in swing districts.
Office-holders are scrutinized more than ever in today’s political dynamics. In turn, media are under the microscope.
By Jim Pumarlo, Consultant