Newsmakers

Promotions, new hires and other employment news reported by Texas newspaper and published in the July 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

ALLISON DRINNON

Sealy News, Colorado County Citizen

SEALY – Allison Drinnon has joined the staff of Granite Media Partners I-10 Group as an area reporter.

Drinnon works as a reporter for both the Sealy News and the Colorado County Citizen.

“We are very pleased to have Allison join our I-10 news group,” said Area Editor Jimmy Galvan. “I believe that Allison will be a strong asset to our staff and the communities here in Austin and Colorado counties. She not only possesses strong writing skills but a keen eye for photography as well.”

A native of Katy, Drinnon graduated in in May with a degree in journalism from Texas State University. She has one year’s experience as a multimedia reporter with the student newspaper, The University Star. She also has seven years experience in photography.

TYLER JOHNSON

New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung

NEW BRAUNFELS – Tyler Johnson, who has been assistant managing editor since July 2024, has been named managing editor of the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

“I am so excited to have someone of Tyler’s ability taking over the managing editor’s position here at the Herald-Zeitung. His experience and background will elevate the news content of this newspaper to a much higher level,” Herald-Zeitung publisher Neice Bell said.

After graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Johnson began his career as a sports reporter for the Fort Bend Herald in Rosenberg, where he covered state champions and tournaments. He also transitioned into a general news reporter, covering county and community events as well as crime reports.

He later worked for the Houston Chronicle reporting on city government in Pasadena, Pearland, Friendswood, League City and Deer Park. He also wrote community features.

Johnson moved to Wyoming in 2019, where he covered sports for the Rocket Miner in Rock Springs. While there he also worked for the local radio station during the COVID pandemic and later returned to the newspaper as managing editor, tasked with rebuilding the editorial staff and reestablishing community support for the Rocket Miner.

He and his wife returned to Texas to start their family when he joined the Herald-Zeitung staff. 

ASHLEY BARNER

Jacksboro Gazette

JACKSBORO - Ashley Barner is handling news coverage for the Jacksboro Gazette.

Barner previously worked at Bosque County Today and The Clifton Record in Clifton, where she was raised.

She says her interest in newspaper work grew when she shadowed her father as he covered sports for the local newspaper.

Barner’s first work in journalism was in broadcasting. After earning an associate’s degree in digital media, she worked at a TV news station, starting in the production department and transitioning into news. She switched to newspaper work in 2020, working as a reporter where she learned layout and page design.

“I want to inform the community. That’s the biggest thing,” Barner said. “I want them to know what’s going on and how their money is being spent and why. I want them to know how the county is growing (and) how the city is growing.”

HALI MECKLIN

Uvalde Leader-News

UVALDE – Former Annenberg Media managing editor Hali Mecklin has joined the Uvalde Leader-News on as a full-time education reporter, through the newspaper’s renewed partnership with Report for America.

Mecklin, a 2025 graduate of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, brings a record of academic excellence and newsroom leadership to her new role.

As managing editor for Annenberg Media, she oversaw digital coverage and social content for a student-led publication with a readership of more than 1 million. Her reporting on the Syrian antiquities trade in Los Angeles earned top honors at the 2024 L.A. Press Club National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards.

Mecklin reported on the 2024 presidential election from Michigan, publishing feature stories that explored the perspectives of Gen Z voters and attendees at Donald Trump’s campaign rallies. Her experience also includes internships at Los Angeles Magazine and the Santa Barbara Independent, covering culture, lifestyle, and community news.

Report for America subsidizes up to three years of a corps member’s salary while helping newsrooms build long-term sustainability.

This year, Report for America placed 107 journalists in 101 newsrooms across the country. More than 1,300 journalists applied to become Report for America corps members.

The Uvalde Leader-News first qualified to be a Report for America newsroom in 2023, when University of Missouri graduate Sofi Zeman joined the team. Zeman wrote hundreds of stories on education and crime for the Leader-News before departing Dec. 20, 2024.