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.
Just two days into the change of seasons as I write this, I am on a spring-cleaning mission. Sure, we’re addressing the dust bunnies under our bed and the mess left by our college sons’ Christmas and spring break visits. But mostly, for me, it’s about cleaning up my email inbox, which has become a constant distraction.
By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President, 2023-24
The world seems to be moving at light speed. The somewhat slower pace we used to have at a weekly publication has ramped up exponentially since the dawn of the internet. In addition to our print products, we now publish websites, email newsletters, social media posts, videos, podcasts and more.
By KEN ESTEN COOKE, TPA President 2023-24
We crawl into a booth or sit ourselves at a table. It can be during cold times of the year, where we can’t wait for the hot coffee to be poured, or a sweltering summer day, when we reflexively chug the complimentary water. But no matter the time of year, I value these breakfasts or lunches with Terry Collier, the retired publisher of the Fredericksburg Standard.
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.
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.
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
Newspaper swagger comes in part by being a driver of thoughtful discussions and conversations in your community.
Doing so, however, can be tricky.
Good newspapers are thought-leaders in their community — an institution where courage and action sit side by side. A place where news events can migrate from the front page to editorial page, with the newspaper making important observations and asking key questions.