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.”

LAKE JACKSON – A crowd turned out to celebrate The Facts’ new downtown Lake Jackson home and was treated to food from nearby businesses, entertainment and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

By KATE CHIA, The Facts

“We’re welcoming you to our new location, which is only the fourth home in the 112 years that the newspaper has been in business,” Facts Editor and Publisher Yvonne Mintz said, the new Facts outdoor mural behind her and a crowd of guests in front.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Most bills that passed during the regular session of the 89th Texas Legislature have gone into effect as of Sept. 1.

Listed as positive or negative to newspapers, here are new laws of interest to our industry, along with names of the authors.

POSITIVE:

This year’s Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference will be held Friday, Sept. 26 at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center with Jan Crawford, chief legal correspondent for CBS News, as keynote speaker.

The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Annual Conference in Austin brings together journalists, government leaders, attorneys and interested citizens to delve into the current issues of government transparency and free speech. 

Report for America will host an information session for Texas Press Association members to learn about the program and consider applying during the application period Sept. 15 through Oct. 20.

The Zoom session is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 25. For more information, visit the Report for America website at www.reportforamerica.org. Contact Candace Velvin at TPA at cvelvin@texaspress.com for the Zoom session link.

TCCJ Director Austin Lewter with retiring Silsbee Editor Dan Eakin

Dan Eakin, 85, editor of the Silsbee Bee, announced his retirement in July after almost seven decades in the newspaper industry. 

By AUSTIN LEWTER, Texas Center for Community Journalism

A reception was held in his honor Aug. 1 at the Bee office.

Eakin began his career as a copy boy and typesetter at the DeQueen Bee in his hometown of DeQueen, Arkansas, when he was still in high school.