RUIDOSO, N.M. — Mike Forman, a veteran sportswriter for the Victoria Advocate, was honored with the Fred Hartman Excellence in Sports Writing Award on June 17 at the Texas Press Association Summer Leadership Retreat at Inn of the Mountain Gods.
Forman was presented with a plaque and a $1,000 cash award by outgoing Texas Press Association President Randy Keck, on behalf of the Hartman family, sponsor of the award.
RUIDOSO, NM — Texas Press Association has named Jim Moser the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Frank W. Mayborn Award for Community Leadership.
The presentation was made at Inn of the Mountain Gods in Ruidoso, New Mexico, during the association’s annual Summer Leadership Retreat on June 17.
RUIDOSO, NM – The 2017 Texas Better Newspaper Awards were announced during the awards brunch at the Texas Press Leadership Retreat held this year at the Inn of the Mountain Gods.
This year, 143 newspapers submitted 1,410 entries in the contest. The results are published annually in the TPA Winners’ Circle and a list of winners by newspaper is available now by clicking here.
Judging results have been processed and winners of the National Newspaper Association 2017 Better Newspaper Contest and Better Newspaper Advertising Contest have been posted on the NNA website. Among the winners are 47 Texas newspapers.
There were 1,433 entries in the Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and 221 entries in the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest for a total of 1,654 entries. A total of 475 awards were won by 117 member newspapers in 33 states.
California had the most combined BNC/BNAC wins with 56, followed by Wyoming with 48 and Texas and Iowa tying at 47.
CANTON – When a series of deadly tornadoes touched down in Northeast Texas on the afternoon of Saturday, April 29, news professionals at the Canton Herald were looking out for their readers as well as themselves.
At 5:27 p.m. the newspaper issued its first ominous post on Facebook: “Severe weather in the area. Tornadoes have been confirmed. A slow-moving storm is headed towards Canton. A tornado warning is in effect. Listen for sirens and take cover.”
At 6:18 p.m. the Herald reported: “Prepare for a third storm to pass over Canton around 6:30.”
Staff changes at Texas newspapers.
AMARILLO – Two newspaper veterans were inducted into the Hall of Fame and winners in the regional better newspaper contest were awarded at the 107th annual Panhandle Press Association Convention held April 20-22 in Amarillo.
Thursday’s reception was highlighted by a welcome reception held at the abandoned Herring Hotel, which hosted PPA conventions from the 1930s through the 1960s. PPA memorabilia was on display from the Herring days, and PPA members Laurie Ezzell Brown, Mary Hudson Dudley, and Susan Hogue Allen recalled attending conventions at the Herring with their parents.
Q: Are booster clubs subject to the public information law if I ask for their finances, donations and expenses? The one I’m asking about has ties to the school district but is not registered as a non-profit (yet).
Several years ago my newspaper was selected to participate in a roundtable discussion with several journalists from the Middle East. I’m not sure how that happened, but it was an enlightening experience.
Five of the most frightening words to hear from elected officials from all levels of government are these: “I’m all for transparency, but….”
The phrase following the “but” is usually an excuse to weaken government transparency, not protect it.
By Sen. Kirk Watson and Rep. Todd Hunter