It’s the time of year for people in the newspaper industry to come together for camaraderie, education, information and fun. It’s time to sign up for your favorite press association conferences.
By LISA CHAPPELL, 2025-26 TPA President
Happy New Year! It’s 2026 and the time is here to hold true to your New Year resolutions. Or maybe not. After many years of setting the same resolution — work out more, eat better, lose weight, yada yada — followed by my typical pattern of not sticking to it, I finally stopped making resolutions.
By Lisa Chappell, 2025-26 president, Texas Press Association
As my mind swirls around on all that is affecting our industry, I find myself wishing that we had a convention right now so that we could be together.
By LISA CHAPPELL, TPA President 2025-26
I ask myself if I’m craving the in-depth discussions with my peers on how to maneuver these choppy waters. Or could it be it that there is comfort in numbers to fight the feeling of being alone on this island?
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.
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.
School is in full swing and everyone is settling into fall. The change in seasons brings out the hustle and bustle in all our markets. This year, it also brings election season. Whether we’re mostly print, mostly digital or a combination of both, our communities will turn to us for credible and timely news and information leading to the November election.
By Bill Patterson, TPA President 2024-25
By BILL PATTERSON, TPA President 2024-25
Thanks to everyone who attended the Texas Press Association convention for your interest in finding the model that's right for your market as the world around us keeps changing.
As I mentioned at the closing luncheon, I'm a big believer in change. As I sit here today and as we approach Back To School time, I can’t help but think about how it has changed.
By Bill Patterson, TPA President 2024-2025
I am excited about the opportunity to serve as president of the Texas Press Association for 2024-25. What a great organization with great energy, passion and enthusiasm for the work we all do every day!
While our business is filled with daily challenges, for me it’s also filled with excitement about what the future holds — especially the possibilities of a digital future. If you haven’t begun serious discussions about disrupting your traditional business model and building a digital future, I strongly suggest you do so.
By Ken Esten Cooke, TPA President 2023-2024
“Why would you want to sit still in a world that’s forever moving?”
— Philosopher Luc Jogart
And just like that, my year as Texas Press Association president comes to an end. I have been so proud to serve great people, both TPA members and staff, some of whom I’ve known and looked up to since I was a child.