James Bright, the general manager and editor of the Texarkana Gazette, will be leaving his position on July 17. Bright was named the Gazette’s GM in February 2019 and added editorial duties to his role in January 2022. During his time at the Gazette, he launched the subscriber iPad program, oversaw construction and grant funding of the Starbear Studio podcast center, and spearheaded the creation of the paper’s Community Journalism Fund.
Career Highlights
In 2025, Bright led a yearlong celebration of the Gazette’s 150th anniversary. He expressed his gratitude for the experience, stating, ‘Working at the Texarkana Gazette for the last seven-and-a-half years has been the greatest experience in my professional life.’ Eliza Hussman Gaines, publisher of Gazette parent company WEHCO Media Inc., praised Bright’s dedication to the paper, saying, ‘I’m grateful for all that James has done for the Texarkana Gazette. He’s an enthusiastic leader and one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known.’
Mark Lane, president of WEHCO Newspapers Inc., also commended Bright’s leadership, saying it ‘helped improve the news product.’ Bright will be relocating to the Oklahoma City area to be closer to his family. Longtime WEHCO employee Robyn Yarbro will begin as the Gazette’s interim general manager effective July 18.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
