The 2025 International Symposium on Online Journalism at UT Austin March 27-28 will feature leading journalists from top news outlets and organizations, like National Public Radio, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, ProPublica, and The New York Times.

“Every year, ISOJ convenes leading journalists from across the globe to share cutting-edge practices, tools, and trends, and this year’s program is no exception,” said Summer Harlow, associate director of the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, which organizes ISOJ. 

In a transaction expected to close at the end of the first quarter of 2025, Hearst is purchasing the Austin American-Statesman from Gannett Co.

Founded in 1871, the Statesman has been named Texas Newspaper of the Year three times by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors and more recently was recognized as a 2023 Public Service Pulitzer Prizes finalist and a 2024 Edward R. Murrow Award winner.

News about Texas newspapers as reported in the March 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

Iowa Park Journal marks first year

IOWA PARK– The Iowa Park Journal celebrated its first anniversary Feb. 1, completing 52 weeks of publication.

Promotions, new hires and other employment news reported by Texas newspapers and published in the March 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

Taylor Press welcomes new editor, reporter

TAYLOR – Granite Media Partners welcomed two new staff members at the Taylor Press.

Jason Chlapek is the new area managing editor for the Taylor Press and the Elgin Courier. Emily Treadway is a general assignment reporter specializing in education.

The winner of the hotly contested Texas House of Representatives speaker’s race is a past winner of the Texas Press Association Friend of the First Amendment award. That’s good news for Texas newspapers.

Analysis by By DONNIS BAGGETT, Texas Press Association

Texas Press Association is seeking nominations for awards to be presented at the 2025 TPA Convention & Trade Show June 19-21 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center.

The honors include:

• Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame

The 20th anniversary Sunshine Week observance March 16-22 features an open government conference in Washington, D.C.

Activities are coordinated by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, with support from the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation.

Sunshine Week is a nonpartisan collaboration among groups in the journalism, civic, education, government and private sectors that shines a light on the importance of public records and open government.

In a purchase effective Jan. 1, Moser Community Media, LLC has acquired the Fort Bend Herald, Alvin Sun, Alvin Advertiser and Wharton County Leader-Journal from Hartman Newspapers.

Murray and Mary Judson were honored at an impromptu retirement party on New Year’s Eve, hosted by their daughter and son-in-law Libby and Tom Ryan.

PORT ARANSAS – With the sale of the Port Aransas South Jetty effective Jan. 1, Murray and Mary Judson celebrated their first New Year’s in retirement.

The sale was announced in September with an agreement to sell the newspaper to Kelli Hartig, the newspaper’s general manager, and Dan Parker, editor. Transfer of ownership was effective Jan. 1.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists has announced the opening of the 2025 Diamond Journalism Awards. The annual contest is open to professional and student journalists, freelancers and communications professionals from  Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.