By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President 2023-24

As this is written, the holiday period brings both gratitude and gifts. As we turn the calendar page on another year, it’s time to add a third “G” — grit — to face a still-challenging publishing environment.

A new year brings a chance to hit the refresh button. We’ve all done our 2024 budgets and we now set out with energy and optimism for a fresh start. We do so knowing our industry will continue to be challenged, but with a determination to do our best and serve our communities.

By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA president 2023-24

Hiring, firing and personnel issues are my least favorite parts of being a publisher. Most of us have had to deal with a bad hire – a surly receptionist, perhaps, or a reporter who shoots his mouth off on social media.

We’ve got to work constantly on good hires to build strong teams.

As I type this, the country has been without a Speaker of the House of Representatives for three weeks. This dysfunctional part of our government is what drives us crazy out here in John Q. Public land.

But I recently had a chance to attend the National Newspaper Association Convention in Washington, D.C. And I was inspired by the symbols and idealism upon which our country was founded, which further stoked my flame for our democratic experiment.

Fair warning: Get ready for some major geekage.

We’ve all seen the embarrassing example of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-produced copy in a recent large company sports section. This is what was published (since corrected):

“The Worthington Christian [[WINNING_TEAM_MASCOT]] defeated the Westerville North [[LOSING_TEAM_MASCOT]] 2-1 in an Ohio boys soccer game on Saturday.”

Gannett, the guilty party, recently stopped using AI on its sports desk as the results were just not ready for prime time.

By KEN ESTEN COOKE, 2023-24 TPA President

“Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study, and the passionate possession of all Texans.”

– John Steinbeck

Ah, the Panhandle plains. Being in the Hill Country, I don’t get to visit “up yonder” frequently, but I was fortunate to attend the Panhandle Press Association’s regional convention in Canyon.

By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President 2023-24

Two important developments surfaced recently which are huge for our newspaper industry.

Before we get to those, let’s celebrate our recent wins in the Texas Legislature. We had some minor setbacks, but thanks to the diligence of the TPA staff and our members who testified, we beat back a lot of bad legislation. A list of wins and losses can be found in the July Texas Press Messenger or online at www.texaspress.com/2023-session-one-toughest-most-successful.

By Ken Cooke, TPA President

I look up at my great-grandfather’s portrait on my office wall every day. The portrait shows a stern-looking man — who actually had a wicked sense of humor — and is probably dated around 1920. I wonder what life was like for John Esten Cooke in his wool suit and round spectacles.

Being installed as president of the Texas Press Association is an honor, and I’m incredibly proud to represent the members I admire so much.

If time flies when you’re having fun, wait until you are leading an organization like the Texas Press Association.

My term of serving the membership is over in less time than it takes a popsicle to melt on a hot Texas sidewalk. And I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity.

By Leonard Woolsey, TPA President

At last year’s convention, I humbly and proudly took the oath to serve the interests of newspapers across Texas. I felt like a little kid standing in my uncle’s worn roping boots.

The making of laws isn’t sexy.

As Texas Press Association members, keeping our eyes open for impactful bills during a legislative session is one of our organization’s top priorities.

Mike Hodges and Donnis Baggett invest an enormous amount of time combing through a dizzying number of bills filed each session. When a bill of interest is flagged, rallying the troops is required. Sometimes that means asking certain members to make a phone call or send an email. Other times you get called to Austin to testify.

Recently I visited with a newspaper friend in Florida who has the audacity to turn the industry on its ear.

“I want to build a bigger business,” he says.

He pauses.

“Why not?”

And much like a scene from Star Wars, you find yourself nodding in total agreement to the words of the Jedi Warrior.

By Leonard Woolsey, TPA President 2022-23