MESSENGER Texas Press
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION • TEXASPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2013 • VOL 88 NO 8
Events
Texas Press Association honors Hunter as champion of open government By Donnis Baggett
NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION CONVENTION Arizona Grand Resort Phoenix, AZ, Sept. 12-15
NATIONAL NEWSPAPER WEEK “Your Community,, Your Newspaper, Your Life.” Oct. 6-12
TNF HALLOF FAME NOMINATION DEADLINE www. tnf.net Oct. 15
TPA MIDWINTER CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW Jan 16-18, 2014
CORPUS CHRISTI — Texas Press Association joined the Corpus Christi CallerTimes and the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce last month in honoring Rep. Todd Hunter for his passion for the First Amendment and his commitment to open government. The three organizations hosted a July 16 luncheon for Hunter at the Town Club, overlooking Corpus Christi Bay, to thank him for his service to his district and to Texas. Jim Moser, chair of TPA’s Legislative Advisory Committee, told the audience that Hunter has “almost singlehandedly changed the First Amendment landscape in Texas for the better.” “He is a strong advocate for government transparency and accountability in all forms, as well as for recognizing the seminal role that a free press plays in this process,” said Moser, president of Moser Community Media. Moser cited Hunter’s work four years ago on a landmark bill affirming reporters’ rights to protect confidential sources. He also touted Hunter’s work on the anti-SLAPP law protecting free speech rights
‘What matters is the respect I have for what journalists do, not that we see eye to eye.’
of individuals who speak out against powerful institutions or individuals, as well as his passage of a uniform corrections statute and a law stating that officials’ electronic messages about public business are public record, regardless of whether they’re on a privately owned device or a government computer. “Because of his long record of being on the right side of government accountability and free speech issues, in February the Texas Press Association proudly presented him our Friend of the First Amendment award. It was a privilege to do so then, and it is a privilege to come to his hometown today to honor him,” Moser said. Hunter said he learned to appreciate free speech at the knee of his father, who was a writer in Oklahoma. He said he considered it a privilege and a duty to fight for First Amendment causes in the Texas Legislature. “It’s an honor to receive this award for promoting freedom of speech and the
Rep. Todd Hunter receives a plaque honoring his services to free speech, from Jim Moser, Chairman of TPA’s Legislative Advisory Committee First Amendment in Texas,” he said. “What matters is the respect I have for what journalists do, not that we see eye to eye.” Corpus Christi CallerTimes publisher Darrell Coleman was master of ceremonies at the event. Also
representing TPA were members Tom Stephenson, publisher of the Houston Chronicle; Fred Hartman, vice president of Hartman Newspapers; Dan Easton, publisher of the Victoria Advocate; and Donnis Baggett, executive vice president of TPA.
Decatur hosts WTPA 83rd annual convention PAGE 5
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MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013
MESSENGER Texas Press
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
Texas Press Association 718 West 5th Street STE 100 Austin, TX 78701-2783 (512) 477-6755 phone (512) 477-6759 fax www.texaspress.com
2013-2014 TPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
President Greg Shrader, The Lufkin News; First Vice President Randy Mankin, The Eldorado Success; Second Vice President Glenn Rea, The Cuero Record; Treasurer Randy Keck, The Community News; Chairman Russel Skiles, Lamesa Press-Reporter
BOARD MEMBERS
Elected: Patrick Canty, Odessa American; Jeff Berger, Hondo Anvil Herald; Bill Crist, Snyder Daily News; Sue Brown, Pleasanton Express; Brett McCormick, The Vernon Daily Record; Chad Engbrock, The Wylie News Appointed: Brenda Miller-Fergerson, The Pasadena Citizen; Hank Hargrave, The Normangee Star; Jim Moser, Jackson County Herald-Tribune; Mike Mueck, Brenham BannerPress; J.D. Davidson, Paris News; Kelli Barnes, Tyler County Booster; Jim Wilson, Waco Tribune-Herald; Mike Winter, The Bowie News Regional Presidents: Mark Engebretson, Lake Country Sun, NETPA; Wanda Brooks, Moore County News-Press, PPA; Cyndy Slovak-Barton, Hays Free Press, STPA; Danny Reneau, Silsbee Bee, TGCPA; Lisa Davis, Wise County Messenger, WTPA Regional Vice Presidents: Don Treul, Tri County Leader, NETPA; Jeff Blackmon, County Star-News, PPA; Larry Hauk, Copperas Cove Leader-Press, STPA; Tania French, Port Lavaca Wave, TGCPA; Mindy Kimbro, Olney Enterprise, WTPA
MESSENGER STAFF Publisher Micheal Hodges Editor Allison Rentfro Advertising Consultant Diane Byram Volume 88 — Issue No. 8 AUGUST 2013 Subscription rate $6 per year Single issue 50 cents © Texas Press Messenger, 2013 (ISSN 15217523). Published monthly by Texas Press Service, a business affiliate of Texas Press Association. Periodicals postage paid at Austin, Texas, and additional mailing office, USPS 541440. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas Press Messenger, 718 W 5th ST STE 100, Austin, Texas 78701-2783. Printed by Hood County News in Granbury, Texas.
Local newspapers serve the community From the Fairway Greg Shrader TPA PRESIDENT 2013-2014
One of the many things our executive director, Mike Hodges, does is regularly sends information to the board in his “Inner Circle” memo. This month’s note from Mike included mention that the American Journalism Review will end its print edition this fall in lieu of an on-line only publication. The publication, produced by the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, has been in existence for 36 years. “The model for publishing has clearly shifted to digital formats as online readership has grown,” said Merrill College Dean Lucy A. Dalglish. “It no longer made financial sense for the award-winning AJR to continue producing a print magazine because most AJR readers accessed content on the Web. In addition, philanthropy has long been an important source of funding for print magazines devoted to media criticism. That support has steadily declined over the past 10 years.” Welcome to the real world. The news reminded me of a column written by a reporter for the Brownfield News chronicling his career. Although he graduated from Angelo State University in 2000 with a degree in journalism he did not enter the field “because all of my college professors started each and every semester by telling us about how the news business was in such poor shape and how most of us would likely never step into a newsroom. In short, the newspaper business was dying.” He’s back in the newspaper business and loving it. Unfortunately, not many of us are in a position where we can throw in the towel when things get tough for our print editions because print is still what drives our business.
Despite prognostication from the ASU academics and folks like Ted Turner back in the 1980’s, newspapers are alive and well in 2013 only because dedicated professionals continue to serve their communities’ information needs better than any one else. But it is more necessary than ever to keep telling the public what we do and what that means to our community and to our businesses. My ad director, a salesperson and I recently made a sales call on a 20-something, second-generation owner of a local business. Since he took over, we’ve seen fewer and fewer ads. He goes to conventions and hears from consultants about how metro newspapers are dying and comes back home with the perception his local paper is as well. He’s got a mobile phone and a tablet fired up 24/7 to keep up with his FB’ers and stay abreast of what’s happening in pro sports and the market. No one can possibly read a newspaper anymore because he doesn’t. And, since we went to a paid Internet site, no one can possibly read it because he doesn’t. He loves direct response programs because he can see folks walk into his store with their check for $2,000 in instant savings. I’m glad none of you have to deal with customers like this. Anyway, we sat down with him and pointed out that we still have print readers, have added Internet readers and even though we have a paid site, much of the content is free and about 10,000 non-subscribers visit our site everyday. In fact, readership continues to grow. I think we made some headway with him and at least he listened. We tried to close him four different times but will have to go back. I told our folks we would either leave the store with a sale or knowing we convinced the account we do have something to offer. We did just that. We told him what we do, how readers use us and most importantly, told him if we did not think we could help his business we wouldn’t bother. I’ve found that usually is the best hook, benefit or promise of all. Newspapers in general and print
editions in particular will not die as long as we continue to serve our communities but also let our readers and advertisers know exactly what we do and why we do it. Just don’t expect other folks, like the ones at the AJR, ASU or conventions, to do it for you. Keep it in the fairway.
Decherd retires as A. H. Belo CEO; Moroney promoted The parent company of the Dallas Morning News, A.H. Belo Corporation announced that Robert W. Decherd, 62, will retire as chairman, president and chief executive in September, turning over responsibilities of the publicly held media company to his cousin Jim Moroney. Decherd’s retirement as CEO will mark 25 years as its top executive and 40 years total at Belo companies. Moroney, 56, currently serving as the executive vice president of A.H. Belo, will become chairman, president and CEO, and will continue as publisher and CEO of The News.
Austin Headliners announces award for Texas journalists The Headliners Foundation recently announced a new $2,000 award for Texas journalists. The Showcase Award for Enterprise and Innovation in Journalism focuses exceptional journalism effecting public policy, government, nonprofit or other organizations. “One of our goals is to widen the universe of media that compete for Headliners Foundation Awards,” said Mark Morrison, Headliners Foundation chair and lecturer at the University of Texas School of Journalism. For official rules and guidelines visit www.headlinersfoundation.org.
MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013
Police chief stops sharing weekly blotter reports TPA Hotline Ed Sterling TPA MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTOR
Q: Our city police department abruptly stopped its practice of providing a weekly “blotter” report. We’ve been publishing those for more than a decade. The chief said he chose not to continue the practice because releasing too much information could affect other investigations. Can we be cut off like that? A: The Texas Public Information Act, open records rulings by the attorney general and court decisions reveal what information must be released on request, and that would include information found on the first page of an offense report and in blotters, arrest sheets and show-up sheets. The Act, however, has a law enforcement exemption (Government Code Sec. 552.108) that allows your police department to withhold information if the release of such would have an adverse affect an active investigation. We can surmise though, that a great deal of information, if released, would not affect active investigations. Ask the police chief about that. Q: I have a customer who wants to run an ad for a casinostyle fund-raiser. The ad copy
says it will cost $25 to enter and the event will be held in a public place. I am hesitant to accept the ad. A: You would not want to advertise an illegal activity even if it is a fundraiser for a good cause. Your hesitancy is well founded. To confirm, please check state Penal Code Chapter 47 at www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ PE/htm/PE.47.htm. On another note, in case the customer shifts gears and gets a notion to raise funds by a conducting a raffle, the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act, Occupations Code 2002.054, puts the kibosh on newspaper advertising of raffles. Q: I want to convert my old newspapers that are currently stored in bound volumes into digital files. Do you know of a company that can do that? A: You can surf your way to an ever-growing list of companies that offer digital archiving services. Before you pick one, I recommend you visit the University of North Texas Libraries Digital Newspaper Unit at this address: http://www.library. unt.edu/digital-newspaper-unit UNT scans newspapers and puts them into a public online archive for all to read and use for research. It’s a generous and admirable way to preserve the history of your newspaper and the communities you cover.
A: Whoever wrote the RFP is paraphrasing language from state law and at least one attorney general opinion. But for now, let’s stick to what the law says. Please see Government Code Sec. 2051.044, titled “Type of Newspaper Required.” Among several requirements listed under that title is one that in effect says in order to serve as the vehicle to publish a governmental body’s legal notices / aka public notices, a newspaper must publish at least weekly under a periodical class permit issued by the U.S. Postal Service. Q: I received an email from someone who asked to have their name deleted from a 2008 offense report they discovered in my newspaper’s online archive. To check it out, I did a web search on the name, and sure enough, the first thing that popped up was her name in a report we published years ago. We’re thinking about deleting the
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name as requested because the complete report is preserved in hardcopy, and maybe we will adopt a policy for deletions. Are there any considerations we should be thinking about? A: Let’s acknowledge that when you publish anything, it takes on a life of its own. All you’ve ever published exists in perpetuity in many forms of media that are archived by people and organizations unknown to you, likely with the newspaper’s folio attached. And, let’s recognize that lawmakers, open government advocates and others have said in opposing criminal records expunction bills that you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. Also, some historians undoubtedly would raise the argument that to redact your archive is to distort history. Other possible issues: Say you assign someone on staff to purge arrest reports that are more than five years old. What happens if that employee fails to perform the task and you are unable to make sure the data was purged according to your own rules? Do you get a rash of calls and visits from irate or litigious people? And, where would you draw the line on the type and severity of offenses you purge from your archive? Makes you think about victims and perpetrators. Who benefits and who suffers as a result of your policy?
IN TPA’S MESSENGER Contact Diane Byram at 512.477.6755 or dbyram@texaspress.com.
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MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013
NEWS BRIEFS
Marshall Day receiving the Harold Hudson Memorial Award
WTPA 2013 Convention Review
By Mary Dudley
Members of the West Texas Press Association traveled to Decatur for the association’s 83rd annual convention, July 18-20, at the Hampton Inn & Suites with meetings held at the Decatur Civic Center. One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Harold Hudson Memorial Award to Marshall Day, publisher of The Gatesville Messenger. The award is presented annually to an outstanding member for his or her commitment to their community and the newspaper profession in West Texas. Day began his newspaper career as a sports reporter for the Hereford Brand and later served as publisher in Seminole and Edna before taking his current position in Gatesville. He is a past president of WTPA, the Texas Press Association and the North & East Texas Press Association. He was honored with the WTPA Dewane Kelly Memorial “Friend of the Newspaper” Award in 2008. New officers and directors were also elected by the membership. To serve in 2013-14 are Mark Engebretson, The Lake Country Sun, Chairman of the Board; Lisa Davis, The Wise County Messenger, President; Mindi Kimbro, The Olney Enterprise, First Vice President; Carlina Villalpando, Kerrville Daily Times, Second Vice President; and Mary Dudley, The Perryton Herald, Secretary-Treasurer. New two-year directors are Brian Brisendine, The Brownfield News; J.L. Mankin, The Big Lake Wildcat; Dustin Wright, The Seminole Sentinel and Robb Krecklow, Graham Newspapers.
Elected to one-year unexpired terms were Kristen Tribe, The Wise County Messenger and Thad Swiderski, eType Services. Returning directors are Bill Crist, The Snyder Daily News and Ashlee Estlack, The Clarendon Enterprise. A session on “Dealing With Disasters” was moderated by former University of Texas Journalism lecturer Griff Singer, sponsored by the Texas Newspaper Foundation through a grant from the Association of Electric Companies of Texas. Panelists who offered tips on dealing with disasters included Nick Harrison of the Texas A&M Forest Service, Eric Paul of the Association of Electric Companies, Decatur Fire Chief Mike Richardson and editors Engebretson and Tribe. A second session was a panel discussion on “When National News Comes to your Doorstep” moderated by Wise County Messenger publisher Roy Eaton. The panelists consisted of Roger Enlow and Debbie Schneider from The Hood County News, Wise County Messenger photographer Joe Duty, Tribe Brandon Evans and Wise County Sheriff David Walker. Other activities included a reception at Eaton’s “Car Barn,” featuring several antique and vintage vehicles, Beverly Ross of Wise County Christian Counseling addressed the group on “Victims Needing to Tell Their Stories,” and Randy Keck of The Community News, Aledo, gave a motivational presentation. Also on the line was the annual Robert Burns Memorial Golf Classic and silent auction, both benefiting the WTPA Bob Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund and concluding Saturday morning with the Better Newspaper Contest Awards.
News Briefs WTPA Contest Winners Division A
3. Jacksboro Gazette News
Advertising 1. The Kerrville Daily Times 2. Roswell Daily Record 3. Sweetwater Reporter
Editorial Writing 1. Wise County Messenger 2. Lampasas Dispatch Record 3. The Perryton Herald
Editorial Writing 1. Roswell Daily Record 2. The Kerrville Daily Times 3. Brownwood Bulletin
Column Writing 1. Hood County News 2. The Perryton Herald 3. Breckenridge American
Column Writing 1. Roswell Daily Record 2. The Stephenville Empire-Tribune 3. Brownwood Bulletin
General Excellence 1. Wise County Messenger 2. Hood County News 3. The Graham Leader
Photography 1. The Kerrville Daily Times 2. Roswell Daily Record 3. Sweetwater Reporter
Photography 1. Wise County Messenger 2. Lamb County Leader-News 3. The Graham Leader
General Excellence 1. Sweetwater Reporter 2. Roswell Daily Record 3. The Kerrville Daily Times
Special Coverage 1. Wise County Messenger 2. The Graham Leader 3. Breckenridge American
Sports Coverage 1. The Kerrville Daily Times 2. Stephenville Empire-Tribune 3. Brownwood Bulletin
Photographer of the Year 1. Joe Duty - Wise County Messenger 2. Mary Vinson - Hood County News 3. Cherry Rushin - The Graham Leader
Features 1. Brownwood Bulletin 2. The Kerrville Daily Times 3. Stephenville Empire-Tribune 4. Roswell Daily Record
Journalist of the Year 1. Erika Pedroza - Wise County Messenger 2. David Lowe - Lampasas Dispatch Record 3. Kathy Cruz - Hood County News
News Writing 1. Roswell Daily Record 2. Brownwood Bulletin 3. The Kerrville Daily Times
Division C
Photographer of the Year 1. Mac McKinnon - The Dublin Citizen
Division D Special Coverage 1. The Post Dispatch General Excellence 1. The Albany News 2. Lake Country Sun 3. The Clarendon Enterprise Photography 1. Lake Country Sun 2. The Big Lake Wildcat 3. The Clarendon Enterprise HM - The Albany News Advertising 1. The Albany News 2. The Hico News Review 3. The Eldorado Success Editorials 1. The Ozona Stockman 2. The Clarendon Enterprise 3. The Eldorado Success Column Writing 1. Lake Country Sun 2. The Clarendon Enterprise 3. The Ozona Stockman Feature Writing 1. The Post-Dispatch 2. The Clarendon Enterprise 3. The Ozona Stockman
General Excellence 1. Glen Rose Reporter 2. The Hamilton Herald News 3. The Springtown Epigraph
News Writing 1. The Ozona Stockman 2. The Eldorado Success 3. The Big Lake Wildcat
Photography 1. The Goldthwaite Eagle 2. The Springtown Epigraph 3. The Hamilton Herald News
Sports Coverage 1. The Albany news 2. The Eldorado Success 3. The Hico News Review
Column Writing 1. The Goldthwaite Eagle 2. The Dublin Citizen 3. The Springtown Epigraph
Special Section 1. The Eldorado Success 2. The Ozona Stockman 3. The Olney Enterprise
Special Coverage 1. The Kerrville Daily Times
Editorials 1. The Springtown Epigraph
Special Section 1. Stephenville Empire-Tribune 2. Roswell Daily Record 3. The Kerrville Daily Times
Advertising 1. The Springtown Epigraph 2. Glen Rose Reporter 3. The Goldthwaite Eagle
Photographer of the Year 1. Mark Engebretson - Lake Country Sun 2. Mindi Kimbro - The Olney Enterprise 3. Donnie Lucas - The Albany News
Division B
News Writing 1. The Hamilton Herald News 2. Glen Rose Reporter 3. The Dublin Citizen
Photographer of the Year 1. Tom Holden - The Kerrville Daily Times 2. Mark Wilson - Roswell Daily Record 3. Amanda Leija - Brownwood Bulletin Journalist of the Year 1.MarkJ.Armstrong -The Kerrville Daily Times 2. Amanda Leija - Brownwood Bulletin 3. Sara Vanden Berge - Stephenville Empire-Tribune HM - Lawrence Foster - Roswell Daily Record
Special Section 1. Wise County Messenger 2. Hood County News 3. Lampasas Dispatch Record Sports Coverage 1. Lampasas Dispatch Record 2. Breckenridge American 3. Hood County News Feature Writing 1. Wise County Messenger 2. Hood County News 3. Lampasas Dispatch Record News Writing 1. Lampasas Dispatch Record 2. The Perryton Herald 3. Lamb County Leader News HM - Hood County News Advertising 1. Hood County News 2. Wise County Messenger
Feature Writing 1. The Goldthwaite Eagle 2. The Dublin Citizen 3. The Springtown Epigraph Special Section 1. The Goldthwaite Eagle 2. The Springtown Epigraph 3. The Dublin Citizen Sports Coverage 1. The Springtown Epigraph 2. Glen Rose Reporter 3. The Hamilton Herald News Journalist of the Year 1. Amanda Kimble - Glen Rose Reporter 2. Paul Gaudette - The Dublin Citizen 3. Mark Campbell - The Springtown Epigraph
Journalist of the Year 1. Jerry McAdams - The Hico News Review 2. Mark Engebretson - Lake Country Sun 3. Mindi Kimbro - The Olney Enterprise HM - Wayne Hodgin - The Post Dispatch
Sweepstakes A1 - Roswell Daily Record A2 - The Kerrville Daily Times A3 - Brownwood Bulletin B1 - Wise County Messenger B2 - Hood County News B3 - Lampasas Dispatch Record C1 - The Springtown Epigraph C2 - The Goldthwaite Eagle C3 - Glen Rose Reporter D1 – The Ozona Stockman D2 – The Eldorado Success D3 – The Clarendon Enterprise
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From counterclockwise: Herma McKenzie and Greg Shrader speak with Kris Spears, Corporate Support Coordinator of Oncor Electric Delivery; The Decatur Courthouse; Present and former Presidents, Greg Shrader and Russel Skiles
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MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013
-30DOROTHY TODD (Feburary 26, 1919 – July 23, 2013)
Dorothy Todd passed away on July 23 in Houston, TX. She was the wife of Bill Todd, and together they founded Todd Publications Inc. The couple started out in the newspaper business publishing the Rockford Morning Star (Ill) and the Rockford Register Republic. They sold both newspapers to the Gannett Corporation in 1967 and then moved to Texas in 1972 where they founded Todd Publications Inc. The company managed community newspapers in Smithville, Cuero, Round Rock, and Schulenburg while also running two printing operations. She was named president of the board of Todd Publications Inc.
in 1994 and managed its enterprise until it was sold in 2006. She is survived by her six children including daughters Nancy Catherman of Smithville, Dana Long and husband Ken of Eustis, Fla, Dorothy Hobbs and husband Steve of Houston, Laurie Toungate and husband Jim of Richmond, Mary Jane Day and husband Adam of Hutto, and her son, William K. Todd of Katy.
BOB BOWMAN (June 3, 1936 – July 13, 2013) Bob Bowman, owner of Bowman &Associates, Inc. was born in Anderson County on June 3, 1936 and passed away, July 13, 2013 in a Lufkin Hospital. He was 77 years old.
He was a community leader, one of the state’s most knowledgeable historians and his Lufkin-based public relations agency served clients all over the U.S. He and his wife, Doris, collaborated as authors on more than 45 books depicting East Texas and all of its facets – including a series of books on “The Bests of East Texas.” He also wrote a weekly history column that ran in many East Texas papers for years. Bowman will be remembered for his devotion to East Texas history and his community. He is survived by his wife, Doris, two sons, Neil of Pearland and Jimmy of Lufkin, his daughter-in-law Ginny of Pearland, two grandsons, Scott and Matthew of Pearland, a sister, Dicy Cunningham of Dallas, and two brothers, Larry of Diboll and Billy of Montgomery.
CHARLES KILPATRICK (June 16, 1922 – June 26, 2013) Charles O. Kilpatrick, publisher of the San Antonio Express-News during the 1970s and 1980s, died at the age of 91 after a long illness. Kilpatrick began as a copy editor and advanced his way to publisher. He retired in 1990 after 19 years at the Express-News. He and his wife Margie had just celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 3 before he passed away on June 26. He is survived by his wife, sons, Kent and wife Lucia of Mexico City, and Mark and wife Sharon of Austin, and a daughter, Kye Fox and husband Louis of San Antonio.
Anti-SLAPP author wins appellate court victory
By Alicia Calzada, Haynes and Boone, LLP
In the latest First Amendment win against frivolous lawsuits in Texas, a lawsuit against KTRK Television was dismissed in July by the First Court of Appeals in Houston under Texas’ anti-SLAPP law. The case originated when Theola Robinson, the former superintendent of a charter school in Houston, Benji’s Special Education Academy, sued KTRK and its parent company alleging defamation based on the television station’s reporting of allegations of financial mismanagement which led the Texas Education
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Agency (TEA) to close the school. The station filed a motion to dismiss under the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA), but the motion was denied by the trial judge. In July, the First Court of Appeals reversed, holding that Robinson failed to sustain her burden under the TCPA to show clear and specific evidence of the elements of the defamation claim. The appellate court then remanded the case to the trial court for consideration of attorneys fees and sanctions against Robinson. Last year, a Ft. Worth court held that appellate courts could not review the denial of an anti-SLAPP motion,
creating some confusion statewide regarding whether anti-SLAPP denials are appealable. But with the KTRK ruling, the First Court joined the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, as well as appeals courts in Dallas and Corpus Christi, and held that it did in fact have authority over such appeals. The TCPA was amended by the 2013 legislature to clarify that an appeals court does in fact have jurisdiction over such appeals. In addition to the clarification on appeals, the TCPA was amended to change some deadlines and clarify that discovery is stayed while a denial is on appeal.
KTRK was represented by Laura Prather, who serves as General Counsel for TPA’s Legislative Advisory Committee. Prather is a partner at TPA associate member law firm Haynes and Boone, LLP and authored the AntiSLAPP statute which was passed in 2011, as well as the amendments in the recent legislative session. TPA, along with the Texas Association of Broadcasters and the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas worked with Prather to support the passage of the original statute as well as the recent amendments.
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Newsmakers Ben Tinsley
THE PAMPA NEWS Ben Tinsley was named the new editor of the Pampa News. Tinsley, from Fort Worth, has worked at various papers for the past 20 years and looks forward to beginning his position in Pampa. “It used to be, you grew up in a small town and moved to the big city. I believe the best and the brightest are not necessarily going to New York City any more. They’re staying in towns like Pampa and making it work, embracing their heritage, getting their education and building a base.” In 1991 he graduated from Tarleton State University in Stephenville and he describes his passion for his profession because “it forces reporters to open their minds to the world around them.” “Anything that I can do that’s new and exciting that I can share with readers is really what I love to do. I’m going to be bringing that with me.”
Eric Woods
THE BROWNFIELD NEWS Eric Woods has been hired as the new general assignments reporter for the Brownfield News. Woods, a 2000 graduate of Angelo State University in San Angelo, interned at the San Angelo Standard-Times but then moved on to professions other than those in the newspaper industry. “The reason I stopped pursuing a career in print journalism,” he said, “was because all of my college professors started each and every semester by telling us about how the news business was in such poor shape and how most of us would likely never step into a newsroom.” After trying his hand at other jobs he said he missed the work and decided to pursue his own freelance business by writing stories about music and entertainment. Now – ready to settle down in Brownfield – he says he’s there to stay. Woods has also learned to pay no attention to his former professors, as they were wrong. “The business isn’t dying, it’s
just changing, and the Brownfield News is a textbook example of a publication that is thriving,” he said, “because of you its readers.”
of community journalism and newspapers,” Holland remarked. “The office has a real newsroom feel to it.”
Kara Riley
Kim Hilsenbeck
THE JOSHUA STAR Kara Riley was hired as a new reporter for the Joshua Star. A Cleburne native, Riley graduated from SMU with a degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing. After completing the secondary teaching program, she realized she really wanted to write. “I’m excited and grateful to be given the opportunity to work for the Joshua Star,” she said. “You’ve been my neighbor for so long, and I’m very impressed with the growth that I’ve already witnessed in Joshua.”
Sasha Heller
THE PORT ISABEL SOUTH PADRE PRESS Atlanta native and 2008 graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University, Sasha Heller, has been hired as the new managing editor for the Port Isabel South Padre Press. Heller has won numerous awards for his creative and investigative reporting and has worked for various papers. “I bring a wealth of experience to this paper and am excited about the opportunity,” he said. “My journey of self-discovery has led me to your doorstep, Port Isabel and South Padre Island. Show me what you have to offer.”
Jason Chlapek
THE MADISONVILLE METEOR Becky Holland, managing editor of the Madisonville Meteor, named Jason Chlapek as the sports and education editor. Chlapek, who is a returning member of the editorial staff at the Meteor, is excited to be home. “It’s always been a dream to return to Madisonville, and that dream came true,” he said, “ Madisonville is a special place.” “He understands the real concept
THE HAYS FREE PRESS Kim Hilsenbeck of the Hays Free Press has been promoted from features editor to editor. She is a graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and has an MA from the University of Texas at Austin. She’s held a nearly 20-year writing career and was honored as the 2013 Journalist of the Year from STPA. Hilsenbeck is a member of the Hays CISD Student Health Advisory Committee and closely watches issues affecting education on local, state and national levels.
Andy Sevilla
THE HAYS FREE PRESS Andy Sevilla has worked with the Hays Free Press since August 2012 and was recently promoted as its senior reporter. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Texas State University and interned as a reporter for the San Marcos Mercury website and the Texas State University Star. His main focuses are in covering the government and politics of Kyle, and with his recent promotion, is looking to grow in different areas.
Sandra Sanchez
THE MCALLEN MONITOR Sandra Sanchez, a 25-year newspaper veteran, has been named the new Opinion page editor of the McAllen Monitor and the Mid-Valley Town Crier. Sanchez was the assistant opinion page editor at the Waco TribuneHerald. Her goal in the Valley is to produce a venue for public discourse and letting their opinions be fairly heard. “I’m proud of helping to assemble a stable of a variety of local experts who graciously agreed to share their expertise by writing for the benefit of the community,” Sanchez said.
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She graduated from The American University in Washington, D.C. and has worked in numerous broadcasting and newspaper settings. She is also a published author.
Scott W. Coleman
HILL COUNTRY NEWS WEEKENDER Scott W. Coleman was recently promoted from sports editor to editor at Cedar Park’s Hill Country News Weekender. Coleman has been with the newspaper since 2011. Originally from Alabama, Coleman began his newspaper career in 1991. Prior to 2011, he was the editor of the Coastal Bend Business News.
Chelsea Katz
THE KILGORE NEWS HERALD Chelsea Katz was hired as a new community journalist for the Kilgore News Herald. She is a recent graduate from Texas Christian University’s Schieffer School of Journalism program where she acquired her BA in journalism and a minor in English. She spent last fall in Washington, D.C. interning for the National Geographic Kids editorial department – where, paired with coming from a family of teachers, she took a growing interest in education. Additionally, she holds community journalism at a high rank. “There’s still a large group of people that get their news from local newspapers,” she said. “You can tell stories that probably wouldn’t be told elsewhere.”
Josh Cook
THE GATESVILLE MESSENGER Josh Cook has been recently named the new sports editor for the Gatesville Messenger. He obtained his degree in English from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR and was raised in Springdale, AR. Before moving to Gatesville, he covered sports for the Bulldog Herald, the Springdale Morning News, the ArkaTech, River Valley Leader and Rant Sports.
Athlon Media Group purchases publishing group’s print products On July 16, Athlon Media Group announced an agreement to acquire the rights to publish all Publishing Group of America print properties: American Profile, Relish, and Spry magazines. PGOA Media will maintain the digital properties of the brands
as well as its other web content. Altogether, the PGOA Media print brands and Athlon Sports Magazine will form the new company, Athlon Media Group with a circulation reach of 43 million readership and in more than 1,600 newspapers.
Athlon reaches to a wide variety of circuits including audiences for Relish and Spry, the largest food, health and wellness advertisers in newspapers and magazines. “We look forward to providing our partners with the most diverse offering
of newspaper-distributed magazines as well as expanded content for their properties,” said Jerry Lyles, senior vice president for Publisher Relations. “Our ability to aggregate these brands under one umbrella will enhance the value to our newspaper partners.”
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Newspapers celebrate milestones The Albany News - 130 A historical marker was placed at The Albany News for its 130-year commemoration. “The marker documents the history of the newspaper, which began in 1875 in Jacksboro, near Wichita Falls, as the Jacksboro Frontier Echo,” said Melinda Lucas, owner and editor of the newspaper. “The marker commemorates the publication’s dedication to documenting frontier development, beginning in the late 19th century.”
The McGregor Mirror - 125 The McGregor Mirror has seen many transformations in owners and names over the past 125 years. It started as the McGregor Plaindealer, and then split off into the McGregor Herald and the McGregor Observer. In 1901 the last two merged to become The McGregor HeraldObserver, which was bought out by The McGregor Mirror in 1905. It has remained in the same building and within the same family of Chas. B Hall and descendants since 1917. Collectedly, the Hall family has been publishing the McGregor newspaper for 96 years, and the Mirror has been an integral part of the community for 109 years.
The Childress Index - 125 The Childress Index will be celebrating a milestone of 125 years of business; with the newspaper’s inaugural edition dating to 1888, a
year after the town was established. The first readers of the newspaper viewed it in 5-column broadsheet format and it has grown over the last 12 decades.“We are proud of the history of the Index and want to share a celebration with our community,” publisher Chris Blackburn said. The celebration will last over the span of about 125 days. “The idea is to celebrate a business that’s integral in the history of our town, as well as illustrate the importance of news coverage on a local level,” Blackburn said. “We would not be here without our faithful readers and advertisers and we want them to know how important they are to us.”
The Freeport Facts - 100 The Facts, Clute, is celebrating its 100-year publishing milestone and like everybody else in the industry, has seen numerous technological changes to the ever-evolving printing process. Similarly Jim Barnett, The Facts’ managing editor from 1968 to 1992, remembered the difficulty of keeping up with each new changing feature. “That era of manual this and electric that, however, was coming to a close as the electronic equipment came to replace what came before,” Barnett said. “As with anything, it’s pretty difficult for people who have been doing things a certain way for years and years to abruptly change.” The Facts will be celebrating all of the old and the new transformations it has seen over the past 100 years.
Wesner purchases Castro County News The Castro County News has been sold by Jeff and Angela Blackmon to Brett Wesner. “I first worked with Brett over 10 years ago at the newspaper in Llano, so we have known each other a long time,” said Angela. “I know he shares my commitment to community journalism, and I am confident he will bring a great deal to the Castro County News.” Wesner, originally from Oklahoma, has been in the business for 25 years and has published several publica-
tions in his home state and in Texas. “Jeff and Angela have done such a wonderful job with the Castro County News, and I look forward to continuing their work here,” Wesner said. “Having grown up in a rural community with an excellent weekly newspaper, I have believed in the importance of community journalism.” Wesner also said that Bill Holland will remain as associate publisher, along with Kim Holland continuing as office manager.
PHOTO BY ERIC SHELTON / ABILENE REPORTER NEWS
The Texas Historical Society last month placed this historical marker on the facade of The Albany News. The marker gives an account of the newspaper’s predecessor publications, beginning with The Frontier Echo founded June 30, 1875
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