Uncovering critical issues: Houston Chronicle hires Megan Kimble to lead Austin bureau

The Houston Chronicle has recently hired Megan Kimble to lead its Austin bureau, where she will be reporting on the economic and social consequences of Texas policies on its residents. According to Texas editor Jeremy Blackman, Megan is the ideal candidate for this new role as her track record of delivering compelling stories on housing, transportation, and local governance over the past seven years in Texas speaks for itself.

Throughout her career, Megan has demonstrated a remarkable talent for translating complex jargon and uncovering deeply human stories amidst bureaucratic red tape. Her latest book, which explores the impact of urban freeways in Texas on communities, is a testament to her ability to shed light on critical issues. In the book, Megan highlights the struggles faced by residents in Houston, Dallas, and Austin due to planned highway expansions. She also exposes violations of the National Environmental Policy Act by the Texas Department of Transportation and delves into the political reasons behind the state’s transportation budget priorities.

Prior to joining the Houston Chronicle, Megan served as executive editor at the Texas Observer, where she oversaw investigations into a range of critical issues including rural healthcare, abandoned oil wells, and deaths in Texas jails. Her work has been featured in numerous publications such as Texas Monthly, Bloomberg, The New York Times, and The Guardian. With her ability to uncover important stories and shine a light on critical issues, Megan’s addition to the Chronicle’s coverage of Texas policies will undoubtedly be valuable.