MAIN NAVIGATION HOME ABOUT TPA ADVERTISING MEMBER SERVICES NEWS & EVENTS CONTACT About TPA Breadcrumb Home - About TPA ABOUT TPA Texas Press Association About TPA Association Bylaws Membership Overview FAQ Newspaper Search Associate Members Past Presidents Texas Daily Newspaper Association About TPA Texas Press Association is the voice of the state’s newspaper industry. The association promotes the welfare of Texas newspapers, encourages higher standards of journalism, and plays an important role in protecting the public’s right to know as an advocate of First Amendment liberties. TPA is one of the nation’s oldest and largest newspaper trade associations. As of January 2018, TPA represents 429 paid-circulation newspapers in publication — 67 dailies and 362 non-dailies. More than 135 years ago, 77 Texas newspaper publishers made the long journey across Texas to the fledgling town of Houston to establish a state press organization. On May 19, 1880, the association was founded, and J.W. Fishburn of the Mexia Ledger was elected the first president. Today, TPA continues to be the trusted source that Texas publishers turn to for information on editorial, advertising, postal, legal and legislative issues. TPA is a non-profit trade association with two affiliates: Texas Press Service Inc., the for-profit advertising and sales arm of TPA; and the Texas Newspaper Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. TNF supports education and training opportunities for working journalists. Texas Press Association is governed by a 30-member board of directors. This diverse group is composed of five elected officers, the executive director, six elected directors, eight appointed directors and 10 officers from the state’s five regional press associations. With the assistance of volunteer committees, the support of its officers and directors and strong cooperation from members, TPA staff provide a comprehensive service program that fosters strong newspapers. BACK TO TOP Association Bylaws NAME ARTICLE I. This Association shall be known as the "Texas Press Association." OBJECTS ARTICLE II. Objects of the Association are to promote the welfare of, encourage ethical practices in, and protect the interests of the publishing and printing industries in Texas; to encourage and promote higher standards of journalism; to take an active interest in the welfare of the State and Nation, encourage proper development of natural resources of Texas, and to cooperate with other organizations and agencies that may have like objectives. The primary purpose of the Association shall be "educational." The net income of the Association shall be used for the benefit of the public, and the industry as a whole, in a manner as directed by the Board of Directors; however, under no circumstances may any part of the net income of the Association inure to the benefit of any private member or individual. CLICK HERE TO VIEW COMPLETE BYLAWS BACK TO TOP Membership Texas Press Association is a trade association that offers member services to newspapers in Texas. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP is extended to newspapers that maintain a Periodicals-Class mailing permit from the US Postal Service AND meet the following requirements: publish news of general interest, publish at least weekly, publish in Texas and maintain a paid-circulation. Download Active Membership application here. PARTICIPATING MEMBERSHIP may be extended to news publications not qualified for active membership subject to a majority approval of the Board of Directors and subject to annual review by the board. Participating members are entitled to all privileges of the Association except participation in official business, voting and holding office. Download Participating Membership application here. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP is extended to firms engaged in the sale or distribution of newspaper supplies or services, to commercial printing firms, to advertising agencies, to other related newspaper vendors and to departments of journalism at recognized Texas Universities. Download Associate Membership application here. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP is provided to individuals who were active in the association as either a newspaper employee or associate member and are no longer employed. This provides a way to for these former members to stay connected into retirement. Download Individual Membership application here. Applications for membership should be directed to Michael Hodges, Executive Director, Texas Press Association, 8800 Business Park Drive, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759, (fax to 512-477-6759). BACK TO TOP FAQ Q: How many newspapers are in Texas? There are 463 paid-circulation newspapers in the state, including 75 dailies and 388 weeklies and semiweeklies. Q: What is the Texas Press Association? Texas Press Association is a trade organization representing more than 450 member newspapers through the common goal of preserving and promoting the future of newspapers in the state. Founded in 1880, TPA is one of the nation's oldest and largest newspaper trade associations. From the TPA office at 8800 Business Park Drive in Austin, the 11-person professional staff directs a host of services for members and serves as the first point of contact for advertisers and advertising agencies, public relation firms, governmental agencies, members of the public and others seeking information on Texas newspapers. The association is governed by a set of bylaws and is overseen by a 30-member board of directors that represent the leaders of the newspaper industry in Texas. Q: Which newspapers can be members of Texas Press Association? Active membership is limited to those publications that meet the legal criteria spelled out by Texas statutes and that qualify for periodical mailing privileges from the United States Postal Service. Membership applications may be downloaded here. Q: Which newspapers qualify to receive legal notices in Texas? Newspapers must meet the criteria spelled out under the Government Code of the Texas Statutes. Q: How can I contact an individual newspaper in Texas? Start by using our online database. You can search by newspaper name, city, or county. Each record links to a page with information about the newspaper. Q: What are the largest newspapers in Texas by circulation? The top 20 daily and non-daily newspapers are determined by figures reported on a newspaper's Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (PS Form 3526) filed each year with the United States Postal Service. The figures represent the total paid and requested circulation the newspaper maintains and reports to the USPS. TPA does not calculate newspaper circulation. BACK TO TOP TPA Associate Membership Associate membership is extended to firms engaged in the sale or distribution of newspaper supplies or services directly related to the production of newspapers, commercial printing firms, advertising agencies and departments of journalism in recognized schools and colleges. Dues are $300 per year. Download associate member application here. CLICK HERE TO VIEW TPA ASSOCIATE MEMBERS BACK TO TOP Texas Press Association Past Presidents More than 120 men and women have lead the association since its inception in 1880. In the early days, the president managed association affairs for the membership. TPA hired its first full-time executive director in 1947. The TPA president is elected by the general membership at each annual Summer Convention and serves one year until the close of the next summer meeting. The TPA president is the highest elected official in the association and is granted honorary membership for life after completing his or her term. CLICK HERE SEE A COMPLETE LIST OF PAST PRESIDENTS BACK TO TOP Texas Daily Newspaper Association (1921-2012) Texas Daily Newspaper Association ceased operations on Dec. 31, 2012 A history of the organization is provided in "Celebrating Seventy-Five Years of Service and Leadership" by John H. Murphy, executive vice president 1952-1984. CLICK HERE TO SEE TDNA HISTORY BACK TO TOP NEWSPAPER SEARCH Contact Info Main Office: 8800 Business Park Drive, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78759 Phone: 512.477.6755 Fax: 512.477.6759 TPA Staff Joel Allis, postal consultant Donnis Baggett, executive vice president Sue Brown, special events director Stephanie Hearne, controller/office manager Micheal Hodges, executive director Priscilla Loebenberg, marketing executive Candace Velvin, publications manager Joanna Weatherall, advertising manager TPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board of Directors 2021 President Jim Bardwell Gladewater Mirror First Vice President Leonard Woolsey The Daily News Galveston Second Vice President Ken Cooke Fredericksburg Standard Treasurer Lisa Chappell Greenville Herald Banner Chairman Ramona Ferguson The Banner Press Executive Director Mike Hodges Texas Press ELECTED DIRECTORS Jake Mienk, Palestine Herald-Press (2023) Melissa Perner, Ozona Stockman (2023) Bill Crist, Snyder News (2022) Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise (2022) Bill Patterson, Denton Record Chronicle (2021) Yvonne Mintz, The Facts, Clute (2021) APPOINTED DIRECTORS Phil Major, Wood County Monitor, Mineola Lange Svehlak, Athens Daily Review Rick Craig, Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel Randy Mankin, The Eldorado Success Cyndy Slovak Barton, Hays Free Press, Kyle Jim Moser, Jackson County Herald-Tribune, Edna Brandi Chionsini, Hill Country News, Cedar Park Randy Keck, The Community News, Aledo REGIONAL PRESIDENTS & VICE PRESIDENTS North & East Texas Press Association President: Wyndi Veigel, Marshall News Messenger VP: Dan Moore, The Henderson News Panhandle Press Association President: Tara Huff, Eagle Press, Fritch VP: Jeff Blackmon, County Star-News, Shamrock South Texas Press Association President: Dan Parker, Port Aransas South Jetty VP: Manuel Azocar III, Frio-Nueces Current, Pearsall Texas Gulf Coast Press Association VP: Becky Weise, The Fayette County Record, La Grange West Texas Press Association President: Patrick Canty, Odessa American VP: Kristen Tribe, Wise County Messenger, Decatur TPA MEMBER SERVICES PUBLICATIONS ⋟Texas Press Messenger ⋟TPA e-Newsletter ⋟Texas Newspaper Directory ⋟Winners’ Circle ⋟State Capital Highlights ⋟Law and the Media in Texas ADVERTISING ⋟Place an Ad ⋟Texas Statewide Classified Ad Network (TexSCAN) ⋟Texas Display Network ⋟Online Display Network ⋟Public Notices ⋟Press Releases ⋟Advertising Guidelines EDUCATION ⋟Calendar ⋟Convention ⋟e-Newsletter ⋟Mobile Lab ⋟Tools & Resources ⋟TPA Online Academy ⋟Webinars GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ⋟Public Information Act Handbook 2020 ⋟Open Meetings Act Handbook 2020 ⋟Legislative Support ⋟Bill Watch ⋟Legislative Actions Committee ⋟FOI Hotline ⋟Libel Hotline ⋟Legal Notice Laws of Texas CONTESTS AND AWARDS ⋟Texas Better Newspaper Contest ⋟Lone Star Journalism Writing Contest ⋟Golden 50 Award ⋟Fred Hartman Excellence in Sports Writing Award ⋟Frank Mayborn Award for Community Leadership OTHER SERVICES ⋟TPA Newspaper Exchange ⋟Listserver ⋟Job Bank ⋟Buy, Sell or Trade ⋟Annual Convention and Trade Show ABOUT TPA The association promotes the welfare of Texas newspapers, encourages higher standards of journalism, and plays an important role in protecting the public’s right to know as an advocate of First Amendment liberties. TPA PRIVACY POLICY TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION TEXAS PRESS SERVICES TEXAS NEWSPAPER FOUNDATION GET IN TOUCH 8800 Business Park Drive, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78759 PH: (512) 477-6755 FAX: (512) 477-6759