Rural journalists in Texas and other states are invited to attend “Courage, Tenacity, Integrity and Innovation in Rural Journalism,” a free, one-day conference at the University of Texas on Feb. 29. The symposium will feature six Texas community journalists, including two winners of the Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism.
David and Pam Lewis (left) sold the Post Signal to the Thatcher family of Hamilton, Texas. The sale closed Jan. 12. Editor Abigail Thatcher Allen (right) is the newspaper’s publisher.
PILOT POINT – Daniel and Rosemary Thatcher of Hamilton have purchased The Post-Signal, based in Pilot Point, from David and Pam Lewis.
The Lewises served as the owners of the newspaper from Sept. 1, 1974, to Jan. 12, and David led the paper as publisher for the duration of their ownership.
News about Texas newspapers and news people reported in the February 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
Shrader chairs Nimitz Foundation board
FREDERICKSBURG – Veteran newspaper publisher and former TPA president Greg Shrader is the new board chairman for the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, which operates the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg.
A member of the board for 20 years, Shrader succeeds Case D. Fischer, who served as chairman for 13 years.
Promotions, new hires and other staff changes at Texas newspapers and reported in the February 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
Promotions, new hires and other employment changes at Texas newspapers.
MELISSA FEDERSPILL
Uvalde Leader-News
UVALDE – Uvalde Leader-News journalist Melissa Federspill has been promoted to assistant managing editor, following five years as a staff writer.
Register now for free symposium set Feb. 29
Rural journalists in Texas and other states are invited to attend “Courage, Tenacity, Integrity and Innovation in Rural Journalism,” a free, one-day conference at the University of Texas on Feb. 29.
The meeting will feature two winners of the Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism: 2023 winner Craig Garnett of the Uvalde Leader-News, and Laurie Ezzell Brown of The Canadian Record, who won the award with other family members in 2007.
• The contest opens for entries Jan. 22.
• The state contest and most of the regional contests are conducted on the ACES platform. Many newspapers enter more than one contest. When entering the 2023 Texas BNC, please make sure you are using the link to the state contest, www.newspapercontest.com/Texas.
• The association code is TXPRESS and is included in the instructions right below the login buttons on the contest landing page, www.newspapercontest.com/Texas.
• Newspapers are listed in the drop-down menu in alphabetical order by city.
Industry news reported in the January 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
Madison County accepts Tocker Grant to digitize newspapers
MADISONVILLE – Madison County Commissioners recently accepted a Tocker Foundation grant for the Madison County Library that will provide funding for digitizing old editions of the Madison Meteor and The Patriot.
Obituaries published in the January 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
JOHN M. ROBERTS
VICTORIA — John M. Roberts, retired publisher of his family newspaper the Victoria Advocate, died Dec. 12 in Round Rock. He was 78.
Promotions, new hires and other staff changes at Texas newspapers reported in the January 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
Sarah Forsythe, Brenham Banner-Press
BRENHAM – Sarah Forsythe has joined The Banner-Press newsrooms as a reporter.
“Having been part of the audience for the Brenham Banner-Press for just over 10 years myself, I am very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the team,” she said.
As 2023 draws to a close, staffers of TPA member newspapers should start thinking about coverage, photos, special sections and other work they will enter in the next Texas Better Newspaper Contest. The contest opens for entries Jan. 22, so it’s already time to start narrowing down choices and gathering page PDFs for entries.
The Advanced Contest Entry System (ACES) platform goes live for the TPA contest when the entry period opens Jan. 22. Participants will have until Feb. 20 to upload entries on the platform, www.newspapercontest.com/Texas.