Obituaries published in the December 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

Keith  Bridwell

BRIDGEPORT – Veteran newsman and former publisher of the Bridgeport Index Keith Harlan Bridwell, 79, died Sept. 29.

The Texas Press Association board of directors has voted to increase membership dues.

Each year dues are calculated based on the average annual paid circulation as reported on the Statement of Ownership. The fee will increase from nine cents per subscriber to 10 cents per subscriber. In addition, the board set the minimum dues amount at $200. 

Online only content now accepted in some categories

New rules for the 2024 Texas Better Newspaper Contest will allow online content to be submitted as entries in writing and photography categories. In addition, the new rules specify AI generated or AI modified/enhanced content is not eligible for submission.

After announcing closure of the Lindale News and Times, owner Jim Bardwell decided to turn over the newspaper’s intellectual properties to Rambler Texas Media, Texas’ original nonprofit, 501 (c) (3), paid circulation community newspaper.

Promotions, new hires and other employment news reported by Texas newspapers and reported in the November 2024 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

JULIA CHILDS, ANNA GIBSON

The Post Dispatch

POST – Longtime Post Dispatch Editor Julia Childs has retired. Following in her footsteps as the new managing editor is Anna Gibson.

Arif Panju, (far left) managing attorney (Texas) Institute for Justice, and a member of the executive committee for the Freedom of Information Foundation board of directors, moderated a panel session on priorities for the 2025 Legislative session during the recent FOI annual state conference.