Press Association recognizes paper for excellence
DENTON — Publications owned by Granite Media Partners Inc. including the Elgin Courier brought home top honors this past weekend from the 2024 Texas Better Newspaper Contest.
The prizes capped off an annual trade show and conference June 19-21 hosted by the Texas Press Association, one of the oldest journalism organizations in the state.
Bastrop County’s newspaper of record earned first place recognition in headline writing for the second consecutive year, as well as a slate of second and third place medals for general excellence, feature photography, advertising, news photography, sports coverage and more.
The Courier was also third atop the podium in the sweepstakes category for Division 8, the highest measure of accomplishment in the contest.
“It has been nothing short of a pleasure and honor to work alongside such an amazing team and serve the community that has welcomed me in,” said Niko Demetriou, managing editor of the Courier. “It takes a lot to send off these pages throughout the county and beyond, and I’m thankful for every teammate, resident and partner that has helped us reach the quality Elgin deserves.”
According to TPA officials, 108 member newspapers submitted 1,021 entries published in 2024. The Kansas Press Association volunteered as judges.
The Courier is part of the Granite Media Partners family of multiplatform news and marketing products, including 10 newspapers, three client newspapers, several magazines, closed-screen televisions in some markets, websites, social-media programming, sports shows and more.

The nearly 50-year-old Granite, based in Taylor, also owns a printing press. The company motto is, “We’re not the mainstream media. We’re the Main Street media.”
According to its website, TPA “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.”
To sign up for or renew your access to the news, features, sports, advertising and other benefits of the Courier, call 512-285-3333 or visit elgincourier.com for subscription information.