It was a Saturday evening – March 12, 2016 – and I was with a group of people – co-workers, friends, family and members of the community. We were all there to witness a moment of history.

By Lisa Chappell, TPA president 2025-26

We stood in the pressroom watching the Sunday paper whiz through each unit. The floor below us vibrating, the deafening sounds of the press, the smell of ink. Things all too familiar and usually exciting to watch.

I would like to start by saying thank you to the TPA board and members for allowing me to serve as your 147th president. I am honored to have the opportunity and I am excited to work for you so that you get as much as you want from your Texas Press Association.

By LISA CHAPPELL, TPA President 2025-26

My how time flies when you’re having fun! The first half of 2025 has flown by! I want to thank each of you for allowing me to serve as your TPA president. This organization has great leadership, a great board and most importantly an enthusiastic, engaged, and excited membership!

By BILL PATTERSON, TPA President 2024-25

The entire TPA staff deserves a big “thank you” for all they do for our organization and Texas newspapers. Thanks to Mike, Joel, Fred, Donnis, Sue, Stephanie, Priscilla, Candace, and Joanna.

By BILL PATTERSON, TPA president 2024-25

Recently we have had several “hot button” issues come up with Texas publishers. It has been great to see the use of the publisher listserve to discuss various situations and feedback from your peers.

Your Texas Press Association was established for a number of reasons, one of which is interaction regarding market situations. At the same time, TPA members help each other deal with other important issues.

It’s hard to believe that as you read this we’ll be into the month of April! Where does time fly?

I’m using the column this month to encourage you to register for the TPA convention and trade show June 19-21 in Denton. 

By Bill Patterson, TPA President 2024-25

The deadline to register is June 2. It will be here before you know it!

Mike and team have put together a great convention. It will be a great opportunity to catch up on industry trends and network with your fellow members.

With bill filing going full-bore for the legislative session, Texas Press Association’s Mike Hodges and Donnis Baggett report that the pace is as brisk it has been in the past. They expect that 8,000-9,000 bills will be filed by the March 14 deadline.

By BILL PATTERSON, TPA President

The last several years have brought a lot of angst for us all as we try to determine how to attract more readers/subscribers and advertising customers.

By Bill Patterson, TPA President

Sometimes this heartburn is because we’re reluctant to change – or just scared to change. We’re afraid if we make a change or give something up that we’ve always done, we will lose more readers, subscribers and advertisers.

I think reality is just the opposite. If we don’t keep moving forward with bold changes, we will continue to become less relevant.

Happy 2025 to each of you, and congratulations on another year of essential service to your communities!

By BILL PATTERSON, TPA President 2024-25

Having a local media company these days is not for the faint of heart. It takes guts, perseverance, innovation and a talented team to make it happen.

I hope you’ve seen the national survey that Coda Ventures conducted recently for America’s Newspapers. It’s a reaffirming report that speaks to the trust of local newspapers. Local newspapers ranked as the most trusted local media.

Bill Patterson, TPA President

By now the election season dust is settled and everyone is hunkering down for a long winter’s nap — or maybe just a short one.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has become increasingly evident in the retail world since Labor Day. Now Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are just around the corner. Before you know it, the holidays will be a blur in the rear-view mirror and 2025 will be here.

Photo by Louis C. Stas, Wheeler Times

By Bill Patterson, TPA president, 2024-25

In September, a group of TPA publishers had some cyberfun reminiscing about “the good old days.”