Jan Crawford, chief legal correspondent for CBS News, will be keynote speaker for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference Sept. 26 in Austin.
The Bernard and Audre Rapport Annual Conference in Austin brings together journalists, government leaders, attorneys and interested citizens to delve into the current issues of government transparency and free speech. This year’s conference will be held at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 University Drive.
Application to apply for consideration opens Sept. 15 for participation in the Report For America national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities.
Deadline for applications is Oct. 20.
RFA has placed over 700 reporters into more than 450 newsrooms in all 50 states to fill critical news holes and coverage gaps. Several newspapers in Texas have benefited from the program.
MEXIA – Tim Timmons has assumed duties as group publisher for The Cameron Herald, Groesbeck Journal, The Freestone County Recorder-Chronicle in Fairfield, The Marlin Democrat, The Mexia News, The Rosebud News and Thorndale Champion, all owned by Moser Community Media.
GALVESTON – Michelle Robinson has been promoted to the newly created post of general manager for The Daily News in Galveston.
Robinson is responsible for operational duties of the newspaper and will retain her role as chief revenue officer.
“I am proud of the great work Michelle is doing at The Daily News, changing our digital culture and creating stronger relationships in our community,” said Leonard Woolsey, publisher of The Daily News.
DALLAS - Colleen McCain Nelson has been named executive editor of The Dallas Morning News, effective Aug. 11. Nelson, a Pulitzer Prize winner, returns to lead the newsroom where she spent nearly 12 years as a writer early in her career.
The 28-year journalist is the executive editor of The Sacramento Bee and the California regional editor for McClatchy Media. She leads the journalists in McClatchy’s five California newsrooms – The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee, The Modesto Bee, The San Luis Obispo Tribune and the Merced Sun-Star.
Past presidents congratulate Lisa Chappell as she accepts the president’s gavel.
DENTON – Lisa Chappell accepted the gavel of the Texas Press Association presidency during the recent TPA Convention and Trade Show.
Hall of Fame honoree Laurie Ezzell Brown with family members at the Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame luncheon.
DENTON — TPA members gathered during the 145th Convention and Trade Show Hall of Fame luncheon to honor veteran Texas journalists.
Outgoing TPA President Bill Patterson presided as the Texas Newspaper Foundation honored the newest inductee to the Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame and TPA honored five newspaper veterans with Golden 50 awards.
Showing off division sweepstakes awards in the 2024 Texas Better Newspaper Contest are (from left) Nicholas Cicale, Williamson County Sun in Division 3; Kylie Bailey, Graham Leader in Division 4; Ken Cooke, Fredericksburg Standard Radio-Post in Division 5; Abigail Allen, Pilot Point, Post Signal in Division 6; Craig Garnett, Pearsall, Frio-Nueces Current in Division 7; Ana Cosino-Mize, Madisonville Meteor in Division 8; Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise in Division 9; and Nicole Smith, Luling Newsboy and Signal.
LUFKIN – The Lufkin Daily News and The Daily Sentinel in Nacogdoches welcomed some exciting leadership changes on June 30, Southern Newspapers Inc. President Leonard Woolsey announced.
Rick Craig, publisher of The Daily Sentinel, retired from the newspaper after seven years at the helm and more than 50 years in the newspaper business. Under his leadership, the newspaper earned its place at the top of editorial contests year after year.
SILSBEE – Dennis and Veronica Phillips of Phillips Publishing, LLC, have purchased the Silsbee Bee from Hicks Media.
“The Bee is the historic newspaper of record for Hardin County, and I’ve spent more than 30 years of my career working to preserve and revitalize community newspapers,” Dennis Phillips said. “While The Bee wasn’t in immediate danger, it was clear the paper needed support and direction to transition effectively into the digital age.”
Phillips added that the staff of the Silsbee Bee was an important selling point.