In the last six years, interest in local news has declined, for several reasons. Community newspapers can’t do much about most of the causes, but there are some things they can do. It starts with understanding the problem.
By Al Cross, director, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues
I would like to thank everyone who attended last month’s Texas Press Association’s 141st convention held in Denton. We all had a great time, learned a lot of new things about making money for our newspapers, and got to visit with dear old friends while making many new friends.
This edition of Capital Highlights is being sent early to accommodate papers with early deadlines because of the July 4 holiday.
Gas prices at highest level since 2014
Democrats sue over defunding of legislative branch
Heat wave prompts conservation call
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas urged Texans to cut back on power usage last week when an unusually large number of power plants shut down for unexpected repairs as temperatures soared. ERCOT officials announced Friday that Texans could resume normal levels of electricity use, however.
ERCOT came under fire after widespread outages during the winter storm in mid-February, resulting in the CEO being forced out and much of the board replaced.
Saturday marked the official first day of summer.
The hyper partisanship in today’s political landscape was on full display with passage of the American Rescue Plan. It passed on a straight party-line vote.
A Minnesota congressman joined in the chorus of his fellow Republicans characterizing the bill as bloated and wasteful.
Weeks later, he issued a new round of statements. This time, he took credit for the millions of dollars allocated for local projects courtesy of the $1.9 trillion economic relief package.
One of America's larger community newspaper companies is buying the other.
Paxton Media Group of Paducah, Kentucky, announced in late May that it is buying Landmark Community Newspapers LLC, a chain of 44 weekly and two daily newspapers based in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
If the mail service has improved, you should be reading this column before heading out to the 141st Texas Press Association Convention in Denton June 10-12.
You are coming, aren’t you?
After all you’ve been through this past year you really deserve a convention and some newspaper fellowship! And I promise this won’t be one of those Chicken Little conventions where all we talk about is how the “sky is falling.”
Abbott vows to expand border ‘barrier’
Population gains, losses in state detailed