Obituaries published in the December 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
Keith Bridwell
BRIDGEPORT – Veteran newsman and former publisher of the Bridgeport Index Keith Harlan Bridwell, 79, died Sept. 29.
A native of Denton, he attended Decatur Baptist College, then continued his education at West Texas State University in Canyon.
The Texas Press Association board of directors has voted to increase membership dues.
Each year dues are calculated based on the average annual paid circulation as reported on the Statement of Ownership. The fee will increase from nine cents per subscriber to 10 cents per subscriber. In addition, the board set the minimum dues amount at $200.
Online only content now accepted in some categories
New rules for the 2024 Texas Better Newspaper Contest will allow online content to be submitted as entries in writing and photography categories. In addition, the new rules specify AI generated or AI modified/enhanced content is not eligible for submission.
After announcing closure of the Lindale News and Times, owner Jim Bardwell decided to turn over the newspaper’s intellectual properties to Rambler Texas Media, Texas’ original nonprofit, 501 (c) (3), paid circulation community newspaper.
John and Stacey Starkey built and ran Rambler Newspapers for 20 years, until changes in the industry forced them to seek a different business model. According to Stacey Starkey, Rambler Texas Media grew out of Rambler Newspapers, a weekly newspaper serving Irving, Coppell, and Grand Prairie in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
Promotions, new hires and other employment news reported by Texas newspapers and reported in the November 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
JULIA CHILDS, ANNA GIBSON
The Post Dispatch
POST – Longtime Post Dispatch Editor Julia Childs has retired. Following in her footsteps as the new managing editor is Anna Gibson.
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.