TYPE OF NEWSPAPER REQUIRED FOR PUBLICATION IN CERTAIN COUNTIES.

(a) This section applies only to a notice published by a governmental entity or representative in a county:

(1) with a population of at least 30,000 and not more than 42,000 that borders the Red River; or

(2) that does not have a newspaper described by Section 2051.044 published in the county.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), the newspaper in which a notice is published under this section must:

(1) devote not less than 20 percent of its total column lineage to general interest items;

(2) be published at least once each week;

(3) be entered as periodical postal matter in the county where published or have a mailed or delivered circulation of at least 51 percent of the residences in the county where published; and

(4) have been published regularly and continuously for at least 12 months before the governmental entity or representative publishes notice.

(b-1) In lieu of publishing a notice in a newspaper under Subsection (b), a governmental entity may publish a notice in a digital newspaper if that digital newspaper:

(1) has an audited paid-subscriber base;

(2) has been in business for at least three years;

(3) employs staff in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity;

(4) reports on local events and governmental activities in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity;

(5) provides news of general interest to people in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity; and

(6) updates its news at least once each week.

(c) A weekly newspaper has been published regularly and continuously under Subsection (b) if the newspaper omits not more than two issues in the 12-month period.