Mary Kay Kuhrts dreamed of publishing a Christian news magazine in 1988 during a successful career in printing sales for a publishing house in Fort Worth. Born and raised in Borger, Texas, Mary Kay gained her experience in graphic design, marketing, and public relations over the next ten years after moving to Amarillo in 1990.

Her dream finally came to fruition, and the first issue of The Upbeat Reporter was launched from the office of The Canyon News in November of 1999 and was printed and distributed in Amarillo and Canyon.

   Since that time, Mary Kay worked for local nonprofit organizations, but began dreaming once again of publishing The Upbeat Reporter. She re-launched the publication in June 2019, and her mission remains “Bringing Good News, Hope and Direction to The Texas Panhandle.”

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Email: marykay@theupbeatreporter.com

   Janet Byars is semi-retired and works part-time for the Amarillo Area Bar Association.  She has worked in the legal field and the mental health field over several decades.  She enjoys working with her sister, Mary Kay, on the Upbeat Reporter!