Texas Managing Editors

Enter the 2023 Texas Managing Editor contest

There are important updates to the Texas Managing Editors (formerly Texas APME)/Headliners Excellence in Journalism Contest.

The contest name, some rules, size classifications and deadlines have changed for 2023. The contest categories have not changed. Find the new guidelines at https://tapmecontest.org.

CONTEST PERIOD: Entries published between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2022, are eligible. Continuous series or projects that began in 2022 and conclude by the entry deadline of 11:59 p.m. Feb. 3, 2023, are allowed. ***NOTE: The deadline has been extended until 11:59 p.m., Feb. 10, 2023.

DEADLINE: Entries must be uploaded electronically no later than 11:59 p.m., Feb. 3, 2023. ***NOTE: The deadline has been extended until 11:59 p.m., Feb. 10, 2023.

HOW TO ENTER: We require electronic filing for contest entries except for printed newspapers that are part of the Newsroom of the Year category. Except as specified in the category descriptions, entries may consist of the digital or print version of a story; both or either versions may be submitted. List staff members’ names as they should appear on awards. Enter the contest at tapmecontest.org.

CONTEST FEES: Fees help pay for the annual convention, scholarships for student journalists and the prizes awarded to top contest winners. There is no fee for college entries. The new rates are $250 for non-daily papers (Class A), $500 for medium-sized dailies (Class AA) and $1,000 for large dailies or equivalent web-only sites (Class AAA). Entry fees must be received by the contest entry deadline of Feb. 3, 2023. Payment may be made online (preferred) or send checks, payable to “Texas Managing Editors” to

Mede Nix, Senior Editor for News
The Dallas Morning News
1954 Commerce St.
Dallas, TX  75201

2022 convention schedule

Join us starting Friday, April 29 with an opening night reception at 7 p.m. at the NYLO Hotel, 1001 W. Royal Lane in Irving near DFW Airport, 5 minutes from the Toyota Music Factory and 8 miles from Grapevine Mills Mall and the Gaylord Texan Convention Center. All convention events will be held at the NYLO, a boutique hotel with an urban vibe.
9-p.m.-midnight: Hospitality Room
Saturday, April 30
Panel Discussions
9 a.m.: Combating the Assault on Student Media
Panelists: Kim Fox, Texas State University; Dan Malone, Tarleton State University; Valeria Olivares, higher education reporter, Dallas Morning News; Douglas Pils, Texas A&M University.
Moderator: Dino Chiecchi, Texas State University
10 a.m. Staff Recruiting and Retention in the Age of a Pandemic
Panelists: Andy Alford, Texas Tribune; Leona Allen Ford, Dallas Morning News; Yvonne Mintz, The Facts, Brazosport.
Moderator: Mizanur Rahman, Houston Chronicle
11 a.m. Opportunities in Rural Journalism in Texas
Staff, Rural Journalism Pipeline Project, the University of Texas
Moderator: Mede Nix, Dallas Morning News
Noon: Awards Luncheon
2-6 p.m. Free time
6 p.m. Reception and Silent Auction
7 p.m. Dinner, with recognition of the passing of Mike Cochran, past presidents and interns in the Buster Haas intern program.
More awards
Live auction
9 p.m.-? Hospitality Room
Sunday, May 1
8:30 a.m. AP report, Adam Causey
9 a.m. Nonprofit News in Texas: what to know about content and partnerships
Sewell Chan, Texas Tribune; Chris Cobler, Fort Worth Report; Leigh Munsil, San Antonio Report.
Moderator: Mede Nix
10 a.m.: Freedom of Information Issues in Texas
Tom Williams, Haynes and Boone, Fort Worth
Moderator: Didi Fuentes, IRE
11 a.m. (Tentative) Texas Reporters covering the Ukrainian War
Moderator: Dino Chiecchi, Texas State University
11:45 a.m.: Newsroom of the Year, Star of Star Headliners Awards
12:30 Adjourn
Don’t forget to register before the convention at https://www.txapme.com/.
The $250 registration fee pays for our costs to put on the convention, with the rest going to the Texas AME’s Buster Haas minority internship and scholarship program.
Make your reservations now at the NYLO by calling 972-373-8900 and ask for the Texas AME convention rate of $109 per night.

Register for the 2025 TME annual convention here.