Newsmakers

Promotions, transfers, new hires and other personnel news reported by Texas newspapers and published in the September edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

SAM GONZÁLEZ KELLY and ISAAC YU, Houston Chronicle

HOUSTON – The Houston Chronicle’s local politics team is expanding with the addition of reporters Sam González Kelly and Isaac Yu.

Kelly joins in a newly created role covering Houston-area lawmakers in Austin and Washington, focusing on how they represent the region and the political dynamics shaping Houston’s future.

Yu will cover Houston City Hall, joining reporter Ryan Nickerson in covering the people and politics driving decision-making in the nation’s fourth-largest city.

“Sam and Isaac have proven through years of scoops and in-depth stories that they both have the tenacity, judgment and eye for detail necessary to help readers make sense of our dynamic region and the complex challenges it faces,” said Local Government Editor Mike Morris. “They’re ready to jump in and deliver the accountability reporting and essential context our readers deserve.”

Kelly joined the Chronicle five years ago through Report for America, covering Houston’s marginalized communities. That role incorporated everything from features on the city’s punk music scene to investigations of deaths at the county jail.

Kelly also covered Houston ISD during the district’s turbulent first year under state control, landing scoops on the district’s new leaders and their policy and personnel changes. Most recently, he tracked Houston’s changing landscape, analyzing growth and decline across the region and how those changes impact the lives of Houston residents.

“I’ve covered a wide range of topics during my time in Houston, and I’ve seen how the decisions our elected leaders make affect every aspect of life in our city,” Kelly said. “I’m excited to now devote my full attention to covering those leaders and to shed light on what happens in the halls of power and how it impacts our lives.”

Yu joins the Houston newsroom after two years on the state politics team, where he covered fast-changing political trends in federal elections, a historic redistricting fight at the Texas Legislature, marijuana access and K-12 education for the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, The Dallas Morning News and Austin American-Statesman.

Yu uncovered secretive donations and chronicled the State Board of Education’s Christian-forward overhaul of history and literature lessons. The Garland native also watchdogged the state’s private school voucher rollout and was first to report on the state’s move to block Islamic schools from the program.

“After writing about Houston from afar, I’m excited to get up close with the city’s politics and contribute to a strong local news ecosystem,” Yu said.

ROLANDO MEDINA, Archer County News

ARCHER CITY – Rolando Medina has joined the staff of the Archer County News as a sports reporter.

He came to the area from Fort Worth and is a recent graduate of the University of North Texas with majors in journalism and marketing.

While a student, he gained experience writing for the on-campus newspaper, the North Texas Daily, and covering a variety of men’s and women’s sports, including volleyball, soccer, golf, cross country and baseball.