Obituaries published in the November 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

ROBERT BAKER

LOVELAND, COLORADO – Attorney and former owner of the Fort Stockton Pioneer Robert Walter Baker died Sept. 23. He was 83.

As a teenager and student at Fort Stockton High School, he worked as a disc jockey for the local radio station KFST.

He attended the University of Texas at El Paso where he earned a degree in journalism  and served as editor of the school newspaper. He also met his wife future wife, Carol Jenness.

Reporting on a secret decision to spend public money on a Travis County official’s home security system and a series of editorials and news stories about questionable ethics by Odessa city leaders have won this year’s Spirit of FOI Awards.

The awards were presented by Executive Director Kelley Shannon at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas James Henry Faulk awards luncheon during the annual FOIFT Conference in Austin.

The 85th annual National Newspaper Week celebration, Oct. 5 - 11, is a time to reflect on and reinforce the vital role newspapers play in informing, empowering, and uniting communities.

Newspaper Association Managers sponsors the annual observation. Free promotional materials such as cartoons, articles, editorials and public service announcement graphics for use in both print and on social media are available for download at the NNW website, www.nationalnewspaperweek.com. The collection includes ideas for localizing the celebration.

Report for America is accepting newsroom applications through Oct. 20.

RFA is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. 

RFA has placed more than 700 reporters into more than 450 newsrooms in all 50 states to fill critical news coverage gaps. 

Through a two-year commitment Report for America helps host newsrooms by recruiting a local reporter to cover the beat specified as needing coverage. 

The Northern Brazoria County Chamber of Commerce held a special ribbon cutting ceremony for The Alvin Sun, celebrating both the publication’s 135th anniversary and new location at 218 W. House Street.

By STEPHEN COLLINS, Managing Editor, The Alvin Sun

ALVIN - The surrounding communities in Northern Brazoria County came together to celebrate The Alvin Sun’s long history, Aug. 8 at the newspaper’s office.

LAWTON, OK - Southern Newspapers, Inc. (SNI) has sold The Lawton Constitution to Hillary Communications.

The Constitution has been owned by SNI since April 2018 and during that time has expanded its footprint, now printing over 20 other publications and winning statewide honors for the quality of its work. The announcement was made in the newsroom to all members of The Constitution staff.

“We’re really excited about this new chapter,” said Dustin Hilliary, co-CEO of Hilliary. “We are committed to this community and look forward to working with the staff at the Constitution.”

DALLAS – DallasNews Corporation, the holding company of The Dallas Morning News and Medium Giant, announced shareholders approved the company’s merger with Hearst at the company’s special meeting Sept. 23. The deal closed Sept. 24.

The Dallas Morning News and Medium Giant will now join Hearst, one of the nation’s leading information, services and media companies. As outlined in the merger agreement, DallasNews shareholders will receive an all-cash consideration of $16.50 per share of DallasNews common stock, and DallasNews will cease to trade as a public company.

News about Texas newspapers published in the October 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

South Texas News acquires Brenham Banner-Press

BRENHAM — South Texas News, Inc., a Texas-based media company owned by Albert Reynolds, in early September acquired The Banner-Press in Brenham from a partnership led by Fred Hartman.

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

ALLY HINKLE

The Gatesville  Messenger

GATESVILLE – Allison (Ally) Hinkle has joined the staff of The Gatesville Messenger.

The new reporter covers Gatesville City Council, Coryell County Commissioners Court and Gatesville ISD as well as other news,  Richard Nelson, executive editor, said in announcing the appointment.

CENTER – Lifelong Shelby County resident Ashley Chandler has been named publisher of The Light and Champion.

The announcement was made by Mark Henry, vice president of Texas Local Media.

“We are excited about Ashley’s future as the publisher of The Light and Champion,” Henry said. “She has demonstrated the ability and willingness to tackle the leadership role for the newspaper and we are confident she will be instrumental in leading the paper and staff to better serve our readers, advertisers and the communities in Shelby County.”