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.
KERRVILLE – Shelly Bissell is the new publisher of The Kerrville Daily Times.
Leonard Woolsey, president of Southern Newspapers Inc., which owns The Kerrville Daily Times as well as nearby papers in New Braunfels and Seguin, welcomed Bissell to her new role.
PARIS, Texas – Clay Carsner has turned over the reins of The Paris News to a woman who has worked just a few steps away from him over his 14-year tenure, including the last five years as publisher at the paper.
Southern Newspapers, which owns The Paris News and nine other newspapers across Texas, announced this week that Kelsey Graham will be the next publisher of the paper.
Graham has been with the paper for 11 years, eight of those as business manager.
HOUSTON – Longview News-Journal Sports Editor Jack Stallard was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor with the 2026 class of four East Texans who have made extraordinary contributions to high school athletics.
Induction ceremonies were held July 19 in Houston July 19 during the THSCA Coaching School and Convention.
Promotions, new hires and other employment news as reporting by Texas newspapers and published in the August 2026 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
Elgin Courier newsroom changes announced
ELGIN – The Elgin Courier recently shuffled some newsroom roles.
Reporter Emily Treadway is now the area editor for the Centex Group, which includes the Courier, the Taylor Press and the Manor Journal.
Former Area Editor Jason Chlapek has switched to the digital editor role.
Promotions, new hires and other employment news as reporting by Texas newspapers and published in the August 2026 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
Elgin Courier newsroom changes announced
ELGIN – The Elgin Courier recently shuffled some newsroom roles.
Reporter Emily Treadway is now the area editor for the Centex Group, which includes the Courier, the Taylor Press and the Manor Journal.
Former Area Editor Jason Chlapek has switched to the digital editor role.
Friends and family gathered June 12 at the Hamilton Herald-News for a bittersweet retirement celebration for longtime HHN Editor and Co-publisher Maria Weaver. Shown are (from left) HHN team members Jaxon Hansard, Janice Velasquez, Publisher Grant Lengefeld, Weaver and Kim Tyson. Not pictured, Kate Edwards. Photo by Saundra Lengefeld
HAMILTON – Maria Weaver has retired after 40 years in community journalism, 24 dedicated to the Hamilton Herald-News.
PLEASANTON – Jessica Alvarado-Machado and Charley Gallegos have been named co-managing editors of the Pleasanton Express, succeeding Daniel Elizondo.
The announcement by Publisher Noel Wilkerson Holmes was part of an introduction to the newspaper’s newsroom management team, which includes Lisa Luna, lifestyles editor, and Heaven Marquez, sports editor.
Neice Bell’s more than 45 years in newspapers — which began in a Kerrville closet as a typesetter in 1979 — will wrap at the end of May as she finishes her second tenure as publisher of the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.
By KAITLYNN HUTCHINS, The New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung
Fredericksburg lost an important steward of the town’s history when Sherrie Geistweidt, an employee of Fredericksburg Publishing Company for just over 50 years, retired from her storied career.
Geistweidt wrote the column “50 Years Ago in the Standard.” She previously wrote a once-per-month personal column called “Time Pieces” filled with historical and humorous memories and anecdotes from her life growing up on land near the Doss area in northern Gillespie County.