Little Rock public relations professional Laura Newman died Jan. 25 at the age of 55. Newman, a native of Hot Springs, had struggled with cancer for about seven years.

Newman worked as a writer for nearly 30 years, employed in newspapers, PR and corporate communications. She worked for the Pine Bluff Commercial and Arkansas Gazette as a journalist. She also oversaw public and media relations at Alltel Mobile and for Systematics Information Services Inc. She was associated with Combs & Co. public relations agency.