From The Editor's Desk: One Year at the News
This week marks one year at The Albany News. Where in the world did that time go? The older I get, the faster it seems to move. I know, I know—some old-timer is already shaking his head saying, “Wait, kid, it only gets faster.” And I believe it. I’m just starting to fully grasp how fast it’s going by.
Donnie and Melinda owned this paper for nearly 50 years, which once sounded like a lifetime to me. But after one fast, full year in this chair, I can see how quickly that time must have flown for them. Speaking of Melinda, this past year wouldn’t have been possible without her guidance, hard work, and patience. She’s a local treasure, and I’m so thankful she chose to stick around and keep writing.
The First Paper
My first issue was a rough one. Buying a business is always a gamble, and I was stressed out from day one. To make things even harder, my best friend, Justin Wolf, passed away that week—and I had to print his obituary in my very first paper. Not the start I wanted.
But I know he’s been keeping up with things this past year. Justin was a huge Texas Tech fan, so I imagine he’s been smiling down watching what the Red Raiders have done this year, especially with the big weekend they just had in Lubbock. I still think about him every day. He was the first person I’d text when something happened in town, so in a way, writing the paper each week has become my new way of talking to him, keeping him in the loop.
A New Look
One of my main goals this year was to give the paper a fresh look. I’ve never really considered myself a writer—I’m an artist and designer first. The layout, the typography, the feel of the pages… that’s what gets me going.
So I updated the logo, redesigned the layout, and cleaned up the ads. Donnie and Melinda didn’t do anything wrong with the old look—it just needed a refresh. A little polish can make a big difference, and I think readers have noticed.
The New Visitor Guide
The new Albany Visitor Guide might be my favorite project from this first year. I had helped design the Abilene Visitor Guide in the past, and I wanted to bring that same professional, modern look here.
The old guide was square and printed on regular newspaper stock. I wanted to create something you’d want to keep—a magazine-style booklet with glossy pages. So I started from scratch: new photos, new stories, new listings, and all-new ad designs. I wanted every ad to stand out because, without our advertisers, projects like that don’t happen. I’m proud of how it turned out—it feels like something Albany can show off with pride.
The Stories and the Struggles
Of course, it hasn’t all been easy. Losing my best friend was a hard way to start this new chapter. Then, about seven months in, the newspaper printer in Lubbock announced it was shutting down and moving operations to Juarez, Mexico. I had based my purchase of the paper on their stability, so that was quite a blow.
But God had a plan. We found a new printer—Midway Printing in Dallas—and the move turned out better than I could have hoped. Their quality is incredible, and they’re the same folks who printed our new visitor guide. The colors, sharpness, and overall print detail have been outstanding.
The stories themselves have brought challenges too. Some weeks, I’ve felt more like a tabloid than a small-town paper. Between the hospital board drama and the Sanctuary City of the Unborn debate, it hasn’t always been easy. I’d love for every issue to be full of positive, uplifting stories, but that’s not how news works. Hopefully, those sagas have finally come to an end.
Then there was the wild manhunt earlier this year. Albany isn’t used to excitement like that. Covering it live on the scene was chaotic, intense, and unforgettable. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, one of the biggest ongoing stories has been the arrival of new data centers in Shackelford County. They’re bringing change—some good, some uncertain—but like Judge Viertel said, we should be cautiously optimistic about what’s ahead.
Back to Video
One of the most enjoyable parts of this past year has been bringing video back into the mix. When I was in high school, Dwayne Norton got me hooked on video production. I made highlight reels for our football and baseball teams and loved every second of it. That passion carried me to Texas Tech, where I earned a degree in Electronic Media (and one in Business for good measure).
After college, I thought I’d found my forever home—first with the Texas Rangers, then at AT&T Stadium. But God had a different plan for the Wallers. He wanted us back home.
So this fall, I picked up the camera again. I’ve been filming football and volleyball games, and basketball is next. It’s been a lot of fun, and I’ve loved seeing people enjoy the videos online. It really feels like things have come full circle.
Wrapping It Up
Alright, I’ll stop before you fall asleep reading this. I just want to say thank you—to our readers, advertisers, and everyone who’s supported my family this past year. It’s been better than I ever imagined.
My goal is to keep The Albany News going strong—improving it each year, keeping it local, and making it something this town is proud of.
Whenever someone asks me what I do for a living, I’ve got a go-to line ready: “I made the best financial decision I could think of—I bought a newspaper in 2024.” It’s a joke, of course, but here in Albany, that gamble has paid off.
Owning this paper has taught me something I didn’t expect: I truly love being a newspaper man.
