Hiring of Megan Kimble for Houston Chronicle’s Austin Bureau Signals Investment in Examining State Policies’ Impact on Economy and Residents

Megan Kimble has been hired by the Houston Chronicle for its Austin bureau, where she will be covering the impact of Texas policies on the state’s economy and its residents. The Texas editor, Jeremy Blackman, believes that Megan is the perfect choice for this new beat as she has shown her ability to deliver powerful stories on housing, transportation, and local governance during her seven years in Texas.

Throughout her career, Megan has demonstrated a knack for translating complex jargon and uncovering deeply human stories in the midst of bureaucracy. In her book, she highlighted the struggles of residents in Houston, Dallas, and Austin who faced displacement due to planned highway expansions. She also revealed violations of the National Environmental Policy Act by the Texas Department of Transportation and delved into the political reasons behind the state’s transportation budget priorities.

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