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Convention & Trade Show registration opens

Registration is open for the Texas Press Association Convention & Trade Show set June 20-22 at Hilton College Station Hotel & Conference Center, 801 University Drive East in College Station.

The annual event includes awards banquets, a trade show, silent auction, general session learning opportunities and this year’s signature treat — a chuckwagon cookout and entertainment at the Lucky B Bison Ranch.

Registration forms are available on the TPA website, www.texaspress.com, where forms may be downloaded and online registration is also available.

Still making history: Rusk Cherokeean-Herald marks 175th anniversary

RUSK — A little over two years ago, Texas’ oldest weekly newspaper was knocking on death’s door. John Hawkins, then the general manager of the Rusk Cherokeean-Herald, vividly remembers the phone call from the out-of-state corporate office on Dec. 10, 2021. “They said they were going to sell it or close it down,” he recalls. “I asked if they had anyone interested. They said no and asked if I’d like to buy it. I told them no, I was going to retire.”

By DONNIS BAGGETT, Texas Press Association

Polk County Publishing prevails in defamation case

In what is considered a huge win for journalism, the Supreme Court of Texas reversed a lower court’s ruling, effectively dismissing a suit filed by Tommy L. Coleman against Polk County Publishing Company and Valerie Reddell, former editor of the Polk County Enterprise. The 17-page opinion was written by Justice James D. Blacklock.

By EMILY BANKS WOOTEN, Editor, Polk County Enterprise

Celebrate careers in Texas journalism: Nominations sought for TPA awards

Texas Press Association is seeking nominations for awards to be presented at the 2024 TPA Convention & Trade Show June 20-22 in College Station.

The honors include:

• Golden 50 Award

TPA’s Golden 50 Award honors men and women who have displayed exemplary service and selfless contributions to journalism for 50 or more years.

To nominate an industry veteran, download a nomination form from the TPA website and return the completed form to TPA Executive Director Mike Hodges, mhodges@texaspress.com, by March 1.

Ask an Attorney: The GDPR’s ‘right to be forgotten’ and its applicability to Texas newspapers

The European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data privacy and security law that imposes an array of obligations onto organizations that target the European market and collect personal data related to people residing in the EU. Article 17 of the GDPR, also known as the “right to be forgotten,” is one of its key provisions, allowing EU individuals to request that organizations delete their personal data if they no longer want it to be held and processed.

By MALLIKA DARGAN and GAVIN GEORGE, Haynes and Boone, LLP

Feb. 29 symposium celebrates innovation in rural journalism

Rural journalists in Texas and other states are invited to attend “Courage, Tenacity, Integrity and Innovation in Rural Journalism,” a free, one-day conference at the University of Texas on Feb. 29. The symposium will feature six Texas community journalists, including two winners of the Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism.

Thatcher family purchases The Post-Signal; Abigail Allen takes reins as publisher

David and Pam Lewis (left) sold the Post Signal to the Thatcher family of Hamilton, Texas. The sale closed Jan. 12. Editor Abigail Thatcher Allen (right) is the newspaper’s publisher.

PILOT POINT – Daniel and Rosemary Thatcher of Hamilton have purchased The Post-Signal, based in Pilot Point, from David and Pam Lewis.

The Lewises served as the owners of the newspaper from Sept. 1, 1974, to Jan. 12, and David led the paper as publisher for the duration of their ownership.

Industry News

News about Texas newspapers and news people reported in the February 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

Shrader chairs Nimitz Foundation board

FREDERICKSBURG – Veteran newspaper publisher and former TPA president Greg Shrader is the new board chairman for the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, which operates the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg.

A member of the board for 20 years, Shrader succeeds Case D. Fischer, who served as chairman for 13 years.

Newsmakers

Promotions, new hires and other staff changes at Texas newspapers and reported in the February 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

Promotions, new hires and other employment changes at Texas newspapers.

MELISSA FEDERSPILL

Uvalde Leader-News

UVALDE – Uvalde Leader-News journalist Melissa Federspill has been promoted to assistant managing editor, following five years as a staff writer.

Community journalists will talk courage, tenacity, innovation and integrity at UT-Austin

Register now for free symposium set Feb. 29

Rural journalists in Texas and other states are invited to attend “Courage, Tenacity, Integrity and Innovation in Rural Journalism,” a free, one-day conference at the University of Texas on Feb. 29.

The meeting will feature two winners of the Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism: 2023 winner Craig Garnett of the Uvalde Leader-News, and Laurie Ezzell Brown of The Canadian Record, who won the award with other family members in 2007.

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