New hires, promotions and other staff changes as reported in Texas newspapers.

TRISH CHOATE

Gannett

WICHITA FALLS – Trish Choate has been named editor of the Gannett newspapers in Wichita Falls, Abilene and San Angelo.

Choate served as interim editor of the publications beginning in March.

Obituaries published in the January 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

WILLIAM WALLACE

BEAUMONT – Former Wharton County Journal-Spectator publisher William (Bill) Wallace died Dec. 6. He was 72.

ANALYSIS By DONNIS BAGGETT, Texas Press Association

AUSTIN — It’s a busy season for the newspaper folk who have your back on the battleground of Texas politics. And we need your help.

As the year draws to a close, TPA members are encouraged to start selecting their best work in 2024 to enter in the Texas Better Newspaper Contest.

The contest opens for entries on Jan. 20 on the ACES contest platform, the online system used for the past two years. Entries submitted should have been published during the 2024 calendar year. Deadline for entries is Feb. 18.

LOCKHART – After 45 years as publisher of the 152-year-old Lockhart Post-Register, Dana Garrett is stepping down as publisher and naming Leesa Teale to take his place.

KERRVILLE – The Kerrville Daily Times has a new publisher with a small-town upbringing, a love of tight-knit communities and an appreciation for what the Texas Hill Country represents.

John Wells came to Kerrville from Bainbridge, Georgia, where he has served as publisher of The Post-Searchlight newspaper.