FORT WORTH – A veteran newspaper executive with family ties to Texas has been promoted to publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Ryan Mote, vice president of strategic advertising for The Sacramento Bee and McClatchy’s Western region, will start in Fort Worth on Nov. 5, McClatchy, the Star-Telegram’s parent company, announced.

Changes, promotions and staff additions at Texas newspapers.

TEXARKANA, ARK. – Former Texarkana Gazette writer John Fooks, 65, died Sept. 20. 
As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he had a passion for telling the stories of other veterans. He was also active with local veterans groups and participated in memorial activities.

BUNA – Buna Beacon owner-publisher Terry Lee Wells died Sept. 28 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. He was 55.
Funeral services were held Oct. 6 at Adams E.E. Stringer Funeral Home in Kirbyville, with burial at Antioch Cemetery in Buna. 
A native of Orange, Wells is survived by his wife, Marjorie Wells, three brothers and other relatives. 

AUSTIN – Veteran journalist Terry Young, a former president of the Austin Headliners Club, died Oct. 1 at his home in Cedar Park. 
He was 81.

The Texas Press Association recently recognized Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, as a Champion of Transparency for his work to keep public notices in newspapers. Murr has represented District 53 since 2014. The award was presented by Melissa Perner, publisher of the Ozona Stockman, during a recent town hall meeting in Ozona.