By Donnis Baggett

CORPUS CHRISTI — Tex-as Press Association joined the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and the Corpus Chris-ti Chamber of Commerce last month in honoring Rep. Todd Hunter for his passion for the First Amendment and his commitment to open gov-ernment.

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 Com-mittee, told the audience that Hunter has “almost single-handedly changed the First Amendment landscape in Texas for the better.”

“He is a strong advocate for government transparen-cy and accountability in all forms, as well as for recog-nizing the seminal role that a free press plays in this pro-cess,” 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

of individuals who speak out against powerful institutions or individuals, as well as his passage of a uniform correc-tions statute and a law stat-ing that officials’ electronic messages about public busi-ness are public record, re-gardless of whether they’re on a privately owned device or a government computer.

“Because of his long re-cord of being on the right side of government account-ability and free speech is-sues, 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

First Amendment in Texas,” he said.

“What matters is the re-spect I have for what journal-ists do, not that we see eye to eye.”

Corpus Christi Caller-Times publisher Darrell Coleman was master of cer-emonies 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 Ad-vocate; and Donnis Baggett, executive vice president of TPA.

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION • TEXASPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2013 • VOL 88 NO 8

Texas PressMESSENGER

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONArizona Grand ResortPhoenix, AZ, Sept. 12-15

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER WEEK “Your Community,, Your News-paper, Your Life.”Oct. 6-12

TNF HALLOF FAMENOMINATION DEADLINEwww. tnf.netOct. 15

TPA MIDWINTER CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOWJan 16-18, 2014

Events Texas Press Association honors Hunter as champion of open government

Rep. Todd Hunter receives a plaque honoring his services to free speech, from Jim Moser, Chairman of TPA’s Legislative Advisory Committee

Decatur hostsWTPA 83rd annual convention

PAGE 5

‘What matters is the respect I have for what journal-ists do, not that we see eye to eye.’

2 MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013

One of the many things our execu-tive 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 con-tinue 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 col-

umn 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 col-lege 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 busi-ness 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 con-ventions 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 hap-pening in pro sports and the market.

No one can possibly read a newspa-per 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 usu-ally is the best hook, benefit or prom-ise of all.

Newspapers in general and print

editions in particular will not die as long as we continue to serve our com-munities 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 conven-tions, to do it for you.

Keep it in the fairway.

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, presi-dent and CEO, and will continue as publisher and CEO of The News.

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.

From theFairwayGreg Shrader

TPA PRESIDENT2013-2014

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

OF THE

Texas Press Association718 West 5th Street STE 100

Austin, TX 78701-2783(512) 477-6755 phone

(512) 477-6759 faxwww.texaspress.com

2013-2014TPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERSPresident 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 MEMBERSElected: 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 NewsAppointed: Brenda Miller-Fergerson, The

Pasadena Citizen; Hank Hargrave, The Normangee Star; Jim Moser, Jackson County

Herald-Tribune; Mike Mueck, Brenham Banner-Press; J.D. Davidson, Paris News; Kelli Barnes,

Tyler County Booster; Jim Wilson, Waco Tribune-Herald; Mike Winter,

The Bowie NewsRegional 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

PublisherMicheal Hodges

EditorAllison Rentfro

Advertising ConsultantDiane Byram

Volume 88 — Issue No. 8AUGUST 2013

Subscription rate $6 per yearSingle issue 50 cents

© Texas Press Messenger, 2013 (ISSN 1521-7523). Published monthly by Texas Press Service, a business affiliate of Texas Press

Association. Periodicals postage paid at Austin, Texas, and additional mailing office, USPS 541-

440. 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.

MESSENGERTexas Press Local newspapers serve the community

Decherd retires as A. H. Belo CEO; Moroney promoted

Austin Headlinersannounces awardfor Texas journalists

MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013 3

Q: Our city police department abruptly stopped its practice of pro-viding 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 infor-mation could affect other investiga-tions. Can we be cut off like that?

A: The Texas Public Information Act, open records rulings by the attor-ney 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 enforce-ment 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 investiga-tion. We can surmise though, that a great deal of information, if released, would not affect active investiga-tions. Ask the police chief about that.

Q: I have a customer who wants to run an ad for a casino-style 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 fund-raiser for a good cause. Your hesitan-cy 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 newspa-pers 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 newspa-per and the communities you cover.

Q: As routine business, when it came time for our city to select a news-paper of record for the coming fiscal year, the request for proposal was worded differently than in previous years. The city secretary added the fol-lowing words: “The newspaper must be published at least once a week.” We’re a daily and there is a weekly in the county. Do you think there might be something to this change?

A: Whoever wrote the RFP is para-phrasing 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 require-ments 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 notic-es, a newspaper must publish at least weekly under a periodical class per-mit issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

Q: I received an email from some-one 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

name as requested because the com-plete report is preserved in hardcopy, and maybe we will adopt a policy for deletions. Are there any consider-ations 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 pub-lished 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 advo-cates and others have said in oppos-ing criminal records expunction bills that you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. Also, some historians undoubtedly would raise the argu-ment 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?

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4 MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013 NEWS BRIEFS

WTPA 2013 Convention Review Marshall Day receiving the Harold Hudson Memorial Award

By Mary Dudley

Members of the West Texas Press Association traveled to Decatur for the association’s 83rd annual conven-tion, 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 lec-turer 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 dis-cussion 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 recep-tion at Eaton’s “Car Barn,” featuring several antique and vintage vehi-cles, 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 auc-tion, both benefiting the WTPA Bob Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund and concluding Saturday morning with the Better Newspaper Contest Awards.

MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013 5 News Briefs

Division AAdvertising1. The Kerrville Daily Times2. Roswell Daily Record3. Sweetwater Reporter

Editorial Writing1. Roswell Daily Record2. The Kerrville Daily Times 3. Brownwood Bulletin

Column Writing1. Roswell Daily Record2. The Stephenville Empire-Tribune3. Brownwood Bulletin

Photography1. The Kerrville Daily Times2. Roswell Daily Record3. Sweetwater Reporter

General Excellence1. Sweetwater Reporter 2. Roswell Daily Record3. The Kerrville Daily Times

Sports Coverage1. The Kerrville Daily Times2. Stephenville Empire-Tribune3. Brownwood Bulletin

Features1. Brownwood Bulletin2. The Kerrville Daily Times 3. Stephenville Empire-Tribune 4. Roswell Daily Record

News Writing1. Roswell Daily Record2. Brownwood Bulletin3. The Kerrville Daily Times

Photographer of the Year1. Tom Holden - The Kerrville Daily Times2. Mark Wilson - Roswell Daily Record 3. Amanda Leija - Brownwood Bulletin

Journalist of the Year1. Mark J. Armstrong - The Kerrville Daily Times2. Amanda Leija - Brownwood Bulletin3. Sara Vanden Berge - Stephenville Empire-Tribune HM - Lawrence Foster - Roswell Daily Record

Special Coverage 1. The Kerrville Daily Times

Special Section1. Stephenville Empire-Tribune2. Roswell Daily Record3. The Kerrville Daily Times

Division BSpecial Section 1. Wise County Messenger2. Hood County News3. Lampasas Dispatch Record

Sports Coverage1. Lampasas Dispatch Record2. Breckenridge American3. Hood County News

Feature Writing1. Wise County Messenger2. Hood County News3. Lampasas Dispatch Record

News Writing1. Lampasas Dispatch Record2. The Perryton Herald 3. Lamb County Leader NewsHM - Hood County News

Advertising1. Hood County News2. Wise County Messenger

3. Jacksboro Gazette News

Editorial Writing1. Wise County Messenger2. Lampasas Dispatch Record3. The Perryton Herald

Column Writing1. Hood County News2. The Perryton Herald3. Breckenridge American

General Excellence1. Wise County Messenger2. Hood County News3. The Graham Leader

Photography1. Wise County Messenger2. Lamb County Leader-News3. The Graham Leader

Special Coverage1. Wise County Messenger2. The Graham Leader3. Breckenridge American

Photographer of the Year 1. Joe Duty - Wise County Messenger2. Mary Vinson - Hood County News3. Cherry Rushin - The Graham Leader

Journalist of the Year 1. Erika Pedroza - Wise County Messenger2. David Lowe - Lampasas Dispatch Record3. Kathy Cruz - Hood County News

Division CGeneral Excellence1. Glen Rose Reporter2. The Hamilton Herald News3. The Springtown Epigraph

Photography1. The Goldthwaite Eagle2. The Springtown Epigraph3. The Hamilton Herald News

Column Writing1. The Goldthwaite Eagle2. The Dublin Citizen3. The Springtown Epigraph

Editorials1. The Springtown Epigraph

Advertising1. The Springtown Epigraph2. Glen Rose Reporter3. The Goldthwaite Eagle

News Writing1. The Hamilton Herald News2. Glen Rose Reporter3. The Dublin Citizen

Feature Writing1. The Goldthwaite Eagle2. The Dublin Citizen3. The Springtown Epigraph

Special Section1. The Goldthwaite Eagle2. The Springtown Epigraph3. The Dublin Citizen

Sports Coverage1. The Springtown Epigraph2. Glen Rose Reporter3. The Hamilton Herald News

Journalist of the Year1. Amanda Kimble - Glen Rose Reporter2. Paul Gaudette - The Dublin Citizen3. Mark Campbell - The Springtown Epigraph

Photographer of the Year 1. Mac McKinnon - The Dublin Citizen

Division DSpecial Coverage1. The Post Dispatch

General Excellence1. The Albany News2. Lake Country Sun3. The Clarendon Enterprise

Photography1. Lake Country Sun2. The Big Lake Wildcat3. The Clarendon EnterpriseHM - The Albany News

Advertising1. The Albany News2. The Hico News Review3. The Eldorado Success

Editorials1. The Ozona Stockman2. The Clarendon Enterprise3. The Eldorado Success

Column Writing1. Lake Country Sun2. The Clarendon Enterprise3. The Ozona Stockman

Feature Writing1. The Post-Dispatch2. The Clarendon Enterprise3. The Ozona Stockman

News Writing1. The Ozona Stockman2. The Eldorado Success3. The Big Lake Wildcat

Sports Coverage1. The Albany news2. The Eldorado Success3. The Hico News Review

Special Section1. The Eldorado Success2. The Ozona Stockman3. The Olney Enterprise

Photographer of the Year1. Mark Engebretson - Lake Country Sun2. Mindi Kimbro - The Olney Enterprise3. Donnie Lucas - The Albany News

Journalist of the Year 1. Jerry McAdams - The Hico News Review2. Mark Engebretson - Lake Country Sun3. Mindi Kimbro - The Olney EnterpriseHM - Wayne Hodgin - The Post Dispatch

SweepstakesA1 - Roswell Daily RecordA2 - The Kerrville Daily TimesA3 - Brownwood Bulletin

B1 - Wise County MessengerB2 - Hood County NewsB3 - Lampasas Dispatch Record

C1 - The Springtown EpigraphC2 - The Goldthwaite EagleC3 - Glen Rose Reporter

D1 – The Ozona StockmanD2 – The Eldorado SuccessD3 – The Clarendon Enterprise

WTPA Contest Winners From counterclockwise:Herma McKenzie and Greg Shrader speak with Kris Spears, Corporate Support Coordinator of Oncor Elec-tric Delivery;

The Decatur Courthouse;

Present and former Presidents, Greg Shrader and Russel Skiles

6 MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013

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-30-DOROTHY 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 communi-ty 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 enter-prise until it was sold in 2006.

She is survived by her six chil-dren including daughters Nancy Catherman of Smithville, Dana Long and husband Ken of Eustis, Fla, Dorothy Hobbs and husband Steve of Houston, Laurie Toungate and hus-band 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 edi-tor and advanced his way to pub-lisher. He retired in 1990 after 19 years at the Express-News.

He and his wife Margie had just celebrated their 69th wed-ding 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.

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 superinten-dent of a charter school in Houston, Benji’s Special Education Academy, sued KTRK and its parent com-pany alleging defamation based on the television station’s reporting of allegations of financial mismanage-ment which led the Texas Education

Agency (TEA) to close the school.The station filed a motion to dis-

miss 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 remand-ed 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 deni-als 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 clarifica-tion on appeals, the TCPA was amended to change some dead-lines 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 asso-ciate member law firm Haynes and Boone, LLP and authored the Anti-SLAPP 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 sup-port the passage of the original statute as well as the recent amendments.

Anti-SLAPP author wins appellate court victory

MESSENGER VOL 88 NO 8 AUGUST 2013 7 NewsmakersBen TinsleyTHE 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 WoodsTHE 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 pursu-ing a career in print journalism,” he said, “was because all of my col-lege 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 free-lance 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 pro-fessors, 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.”

Kara RileyTHE 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 second-ary teaching program, she real-ized 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 neigh-bor for so long, and I’m very impressed with the growth that I’ve already witnessed in Joshua.”

Sasha HellerTHE PORT ISABEL SOUTH PADRE PRESS

Atlanta native and 2008 gradu-ate 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 report-ing and has worked for various papers.

“I bring a wealth of experi-ence 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 ChlapekTHE MADISONVILLE METEOR

Becky Holland, managing edi-tor 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

of community journalism and news-papers,” Holland remarked. “The office has a real newsroom feel to it.”

Kim HilsenbeckTHE 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 SevillaTHE HAYS FREE PRESS

Andy Sevilla has worked with the Hays Free Press since August 2012 and was recently pro-moted 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 SanchezTHE MCALLEN MONITOR

Sandra Sanchez, a 25-year newspa-per veteran, has been named the new Opinion page editor of the McAllen Monitor and the Mid-Valley Town Crier.

Sanchez was the assistant opin-ion page editor at the Waco Tribune-Herald. Her goal in the Valley is to pro-duce 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.

She graduated from The American University in Washington, D.C. and has worked in numerous broad-casting and newspaper settings. She is also a published author.

Scott W. ColemanHILL COUNTRY NEWS WEEKENDER

Scott W. Coleman was recently promoted from sports editor to edi-tor 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 KatzTHE KILGORE NEWS HERALD

Chelsea Katz was hired as a new community journal-ist for the Kilgore News Herald.

She is a recent graduate from Texas Christian University’s Schieffer School of Journalism pro-gram 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 depart-ment – 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 CookTHE 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.

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 vari-ety of circuits including audienc-es for Relish and Spry, the largest food, health and wellness advertisers in newspapers and magazines. “We look forward to providing our part-ners 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.”

Athlon Media Group purchases publishing group’s print products

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The Albany News - 130

A historical marker was placed at The Albany News for its 130-year commemoration.

“The marker documents the his-tory 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 commemo-rates 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 Herald-Observer, which was bought out by The McGregor Mirror in 1905. It has remained in the same build-ing 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 cel-ebrating 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 for-mat and it has grown over the last 12 decades.“We are proud of the his-tory 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 inte-gral 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’ man-aging editor from 1968 to 1992, remem-bered the difficulty of keeping up with each new changing feature. “That era of manual this and electric that, how-ever, 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.

Newspapers celebrate milestones

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 commit-ment 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 continu-ing their work here,” Wesner said.

“Having grown up in a rural com-munity with an excellent weekly news-paper, I have believed in the impor-tance of community journalism.”

Wesner also said that Bill Holland will remain as associate publisher, along with Kim Holland continuing as office manager.

Wesner purchases Castro County 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

PHOTO BY ERIC SHELTON / ABILENE REPORTER NEWS