Arif Panju, (far left) managing attorney (Texas) Institute for Justice, and a member of the executive committee for the Freedom of Information Foundation board of directors, moderated a panel session on priorities for the 2025 Legislative session during the recent FOI annual state conference. Panelists were (seated, from left) First Amendment attorney Laura Prather, a partner at Haynes and Boone, LLC; First Amendment attorney Bill Aleshire; and Linda Pavlik, award-winning former investigative reporter representing the Texas League of Women Voters.

The Fort Bend Herald in Rosenberg and The Texas Tribune received Spirit of FOI awards at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual state conference. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award honors journalism that upholds First Amendment rights and promotes open government. Showing off the awards are (photo at left) Fred Hartman of Hartman Newspapers and Scott Reese Wiley of the Fort Bend Herald in Class A and (photo at right) James Barragán and Kate McGee of the Texas Tribune. 

POST ARANSAS – The Port Aransas South Jetty will change ownership effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Longtime owners Mary and Murray Judson are selling the newspaper to general manager Kelli Hartig and editor Dan Parker.

It is only the second change in ownership in the Port Aransas newspaper’s 53 years of existence.

Liberty Vindicator management team takes over Anahuac Progress

ANAHUAC – Changes during the summer at the Anahuac Progress include a new management team as General Manager and Editor Dayna Haynes left the newspaper to pursue new business interests in Baytown.

Haynes, who first joined the newspaper in 2009, left in July to take join a partnership in ownership of Just One More Bar and Grill in Baytown. She said business and marketing skills she honed during years with the newspaper will be put to good use.

Promotions, new hires and other news reported by Texas Newspapers and published in the October 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

Temple Telegram appoints Morrissey general manager

TEMPLE – Scot Morrissey, a veteran newspaper publisher and digital operations manager, is the new general manager of the Temple Daily Telegram, Mrs. Sue Mayborn, the newspaper’s editor and publisher, announced. 

Morrissey succeeded Don Cooper, who had been acting general manager since Aug. 5. 

Americans’ right to speak their minds is considered sacred, which is why we must fight to protect the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Citizens Participation Act. Both measures were carefully written with protection of the individual — the “little guy” — in mind. They’re designed to give a David a fighting chance if he finds himself in a legal duel with a Goliath.

Theme for National Newspaper Week Oct. 6 - 12 is “Telling Our Stories.” Sandy DeBeer from the South Dakota NewsMedia Association designed the 2024 logo, selected through a contest for design ideas conducted by NAM.

Promotional print ads, social media ads, web ads, guest columns and editorial cartoons will be available by Sept. 6 through the NNW website, nationalnewspaperweek.com. 

NNW logo merchandise is already available through NAM at https://national-newspaper-week.myspreadshop.com/all.

AUSTIN – The First Amendment Clinic at the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law will receive the prestigious James Madison Award for its work protecting the constitutional rights of free speech and free press.

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award for outstanding commitment to the principles of the First Amendment and open government. The foundation will present the 2024 award at its state conference Sept. 13 at the Hilton Austin in downtown Austin.

Tara Huff, publisher of The Eagle Press, was inducted into the Panhandle Press Association Hall of Fame Friday night during the annual PPA convention this weekend in Borger. On hand at the banquet held at the Phillips College Library were (from left) Creed Huff, Tara Huff and presenters PPA Secretary Roger Estlack and Deborah Wells, former owner of The Eagle Press.

BORGER – The 115th annual meeting of the Panhandle Press Association was held July 19-20 in Borger.

MARBLE FALLS – Jeff Shabram has retired as publisher for Highland Lakes Publishing, (HLP), including the Highlander in Marble Falls and the Burnet Bulletin.