Restoring law enforcement transparency and access to dates of birth in public records are major priorities of two open-government legislators who spoke at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference.
State Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) and Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) shared their views of the upcoming legislative session in a panel discussion moderated by Josh Hinkle of KXAN TV in Austin.

The Denton Record-Chronicle, Denton County’s primary local newspaper, and KERA, North Texas’ source for PBS and NPR programming, announced they are moving toward KERA’s acquisition of the newspaper.
According to a Record-Chronicle announcement published Sept. 28, the two organizations are currently in a discovery phase, with plans to close the acquisition in 2023.

The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act cleared another hurdle Sept. 22, when the proposed legislation passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 15-7 vote.

The U.S. ISSN Center, part of the international ISSN Network, assigns International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN) to serials published in the United States.
The ISSN is a standard identifier for serials such as journals, magazines, newsletters, newspapers, and annuals whether published in print, online or other media. Each medium version is assigned a separate ISSN. The assignment of the ISSN is free to U.S. publications. There is no charge associated with its use.

Obituaries published in the October 2022 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

Promotions, additions and other staff changes at Texas newspapers

AUSTIN – Ross Ramsey, a Texas journalist for more than 40 years and longtime champion of the people’s right to know, will be honored with the prestigious James Madison Award.
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award on those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the principles of the First Amendment and open government. The foundation will present the award at its state conference Sept. 29 in Austin.

The Lone Star Journalism Contest for high school students has opened for 2022 under a new coordinator.
The annual contest designed specifically for journalism students is co-sponsored by Texas Press Association and the Interscholastic League Press Conference. Alyssa Boehringer is coordinating this year’s contest.
To compete, the student must write a general interest feature story and have it published in a local newspaper. Students are encouraged to write and submit several general interest features, but only one published story per student may be entered.

Gladewater is planning a grand reopening this month for the city’s library, now known as the Lee-Bardwell Public Library. 
The name was changed in memory of the late Suzanne Bardwell, wife of former TPA President Jim Bardwell and co-owner of Bardwell, Ink, publishers of the Gladewater Mirror and the White Oak Independent. 
Bardell was also a retired journalism teacher who influenced generations of students in East Texas. 

Rambler Newspapers to become Texas’ first paid circulation, non-profit paper
IRVING – Rambler Newspapers is working to become a 501(c)(3) organization, and owners John and Stacey Starkey are relinquishing ownership as the newspaper becomes a public organization.
Stacey Starkey announced the change in a column Aug. 13. “When the paperwork goes through, probably sometime early next year, Rambler Newspapers will become Texas’ first paid circulation paper to become a non-profit entity,” she wrote.