Promotions, new hires and other employment news reported by Texas newspapers and published in the September 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

MICHELLE ADAMS, MICHAELA RUSH, CHRISTINE GRANADOS

Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

FREDERICKSBURG – The Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post has hired Michelle Adams in the advertising department and Michaela Rush in the newsroom, Publisher Ken Esten Cooke announced.

In addition, Christine Granados, who has worked at the paper as needed, is now serving as the managing editor.

Obituary published in the August edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

TERRY LEE SCHAUB

KATY – Terry Lee Schaub, 62, of Katy died on July 21 at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital.

A native of Lampasas, he was the sports editor at the Lampasas Dispatch Record for 17 years before he moved on to other newspaper positions, including advertising director and publisher, in Killeen, Round Rock, Smithville, Katy and Odessa. After leaving the Odessa American, he returned to Katy.

AUSTIN – Registration is open for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual state conference on Friday, Sept. 13, in Austin.

The conference brings together journalists, government leaders, attorneys and interested citizens to delve into current issues regarding government transparency and free speech. 

Sewell Chan, the editor in chief of the Texas Tribune, will join the Columbia Journalism Review full time as the new executive editor, effective Sept. 16. 

Report for America is looking to add more than 50 newsroom positions next summer and applications are now open for local newsrooms interested in partnering to host early-career and experienced journalists for up to three years.

The application deadline is Sept. 13 and newsrooms will be publicly announced in December. More information about how the program works can be found online at www.reportforamerica.org.

Promotions, new hires and other employee changes reported at Texas Newspapers and published in the August 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

DAVID BARBER

Van Zandt Newspapers, LLC

CANTON – David Barber has been named editor of the Canton Herald, Wills Point Chronicle and Van Zandt News.

The announcement was made by John Buzzetta, president of Van Zandt Newspapers, LLC, which publishes the newspapers.

Obituaries published in the August 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

MICHAEL CORCORAN

AUSTIN — Austin music journalist and historian Michael Corcoran – whose unique, astute and often hilarious writing style captured the energy and spirit of the Texas music scene – has died. He was 68.

Family members confirmed July 1 that he was found deceased in his Buda residence. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death.

TPA President Bill Patterson presented the Past President's Award to Ken Esten Cooke during closing activities at the 2024 TPA Convention & Trade Show. Cooke will serve as chairman of the TPA board this year.

Presidency of the Texas Press Association passed to Bill Patterson as he accepted the gavel from Ken Cooke and other past presidents during final activities at the 2024 TPA Convention and Trade Show in College Station.

Outgoing TPA President Ken Cooke presented the Frank W. Mayborn Award for Outstanding Community Leadership to Kim Ware, president of Hyde Media Group and publisher of the Tri-County Reporter in Azle.

COLLEGE STATION – Hyde Media Group President Kim Ware has been honored with the 2024 Frank W. Mayborn Award for Outstanding Community Leadership.

By EMILY BANKS WOOTEN

Polk County Enterprise

Former Polk County Assistant District Attorney Tommy Lamar Coleman must pay court costs and attorneys’ fees to Polk County Publishing Company (PCPC) and one of its former editors, effectively closing the book on the lawsuit he brought against them that was dismissed earlier this year by the Texas Supreme Court.