Newsmakers

Staff additions, promotions and other news from Texas newspapers.

TONY BASSO
Bowie County  Citizens Tribune
NEW BOSTON – Tony Basso has joined the staff of the Bowie County Citizens Tribune as a reporter covering sports and community events while also covering news.
Tribune publisher Heather Russell noted Basso is a native of New Boston with deep roots in the area “who will be a great asset to the Tribune and to our readers as well.”
After graduation from New Boston High School, Basso attended Texas A&M University and worked as a student assistant in marketing and communications in the office of the director of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
In December of 2021, he moved back to New Boston after earning a bachelors of science in agricultural communications and journalism.
Basso said his great-great-great grandfather came to the area from Georgia in the late 19th century, settled in Old Boston, and his family has been in the Bowie County for generations since. His grandparents and parents have continued a tradition community service and local business ownership. His father, the late Mike Basso, was founder of FM Radio Station KEWL 95.1 that originated in New Boston.

SAM GOODWYN
The Weatherford Democrat
WEATHERFORD – Sam Goodwyn is the new sports editor of the Weatherford Democrat, covering sports in Parker and Palo Pinto counties.
Managing Editor Sally Sexton announced the appointment, praising Goodwyn’s experience and passion for sports.
A graduate of Old Dominion University with a degree in sports management, Goodwyn grew up in South Carolina before moving to Virginia and eventually making his way to Weatherford.
He started his sportswriting career as a stringer for two newspapers in Virginia.

MARK GOODSON
The Highlander
MARBLE FALLS – Mark Goodson has returned to The Highlander as sports editor.
Publisher and Editor Jeff Shabram announced that Goodson has rejoined the staff.
He returns to Marble Falls from the Gatesville Messenger, where he also served as sports editor. Prior to the Messenger, Goodson covered sports for the Highlander from 2012 to 2017. His experience includes sport reporting with a number of Texas newspapers, including The Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

RAYMOND V. WHELAN
The Burnet Bulletin
BURNET – Raymond V. Whelan is a new staff writer for the Burnet Bulletin.
Whelan covers Burnet County Commissioners Court, as well as community news and features.
Publisher and Editor Jeff Shabram noted that with his experience, Whelan “is no stranger to the news value, protocols and intricacies of county government.”
In addition to news writing experience, Whelan is also a scriptwriter whose work has been featured in an Austin festival.

RAE DRADY
The Sealy News
SEALY – Rae Drady joined The Sealy News as its newest government and community reporter in April. She attended San Antonio College and worked in community newspapers in the same area.
Although she graduated from Rockville High School in Maryland, Drady moved around throughout her childhood as an Army brat. However, it was that school where her journalism roots were planted, working on the school’s award-winning newspaper and literary/arts magazine.
From there, she got her first job in professional journalism at the Northeast Herald as a 19-year-old college student. It was during her time there that she crossed paths with Thomas Edwards, Granite Media Partners’ current executive editor. Working with Edwards, she was promoted from the Herald to the managing editor post at the Bulverde Community News. “Thomas has also been one of my mentors and I’m so excited and thrilled to be working under his leadership again,” she said.

CONNIE SWINNEY
The Highlander
MARBLE FALLS – Connie Swinney has been promoted to associate editor of The Highlander. She joined the staff in 2018 as a staff writer.
In addition to her current news beats, Swinney is responsible for review and editing of special sections and magazines while providing guidance on editorial and special project assignments.
“Connie has extensive experience in radio, television and online media, as well as newspapers,” Publisher and Editor Jeff Shabram said. “Her diverse and professional experience greatly adds to the quality of our editorial newspaper products and continues to shine through within our various special publications.”