Adventures in journalism

You've probably seen on Facebook, Twitter or Media Buzz that I'll be winding down my time here at the El Paso Times over the next few weeks and gearing up for a new and exciting journalism venture.
Leaving the Times hasn't been an easy decision. This was my first real, grown-up job after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005. The Times put a giant amount of trust in me as a young reporter covering the Capitol. It's given me the ability to challenge myself, to meet great people in El Paso and Austin and other places across Texas, and to explore so many fascinating facets of border life and culture. Over the last four years, I've really come to love El Paso, and especially all the wonderful people I've had the opportunity to work with in the newsroom and in the community.
I've also seen, especially over the last couple of years here in Austin, how the press corps covering the Capitol has continued to dwindle with layoffs that have plagued the industry nationwide.
We've all shed tears over the loss of our talented colleagues and worried about the consequences their loss will have on the public's access to information about government and politics. We've wondered, who will be there to keep officials accountable and keep voters informed? And what will journalism look like, and how will it change? And will it ever be as good as it was in the glory days of two-newspaper towns, back before the Internet changed everything we knew about reporting and storytelling and communicating with readers?
I think it can be even better, and I believe the Texas Tribune will help lead the way. We will keep voters informed. We will hold public officials accountable. We will tell compelling stories about where government, politics and life in Texas intersect. We will give the public tools to become engaged in, educated about and entertained by the news.
That's not to say I've given up on newspapers, and I certainly haven't given up on the El Paso Times. With new leadership in the newsroom and a talented crew of reporters, I know the Times is headed in a great direction. 
But it's time for me to take on this new challenge and hopefully be part of keeping this institution I believe in vibrant for years to come.
In the process, I plan to use all the skills, relationships and knowledge I've cultivated at the El Paso Times to keep the border, from El Paso to Brownsville, in the forefront of the minds of Texas leaders and readers.
So, I hope you'll keep up with me at the Texas Tribune (on the Web site, Twitter and Facebook), and I hope you'll keep up with the El Paso Times and especially the new Austin reporter.
We are all in this together.

Comments

[bozo]

We wonder why corruption rules the roost around these parts? This market is for kids just out of college and old drunks who couldnt cut it anywhere else.

Your idealism cracks me up. Keeping the voters informed...that is funny. You will be working for yet another "advocacy journalism" outfit. No different than the PDNGTimes or NewspaperPDNG where the reporting is self censored in favor of those who are allied with management.

Not to worry, I am confident the Times can find another kid to take your place.

[gc]

Brandi, you're an amazing journalist. The Texas Tribune is picking up one of the best in the business. Good luck!

[Adriana]

I really recommend reading Public Journalism and Political Knowledge By Anthony J. Eksterowicz. Although the book was written in 2000, the ideas can still be applied in projects with the Texas Tribune. I wish you all the good luck, and El Paso Times will lose a great Austin correspondent.