Credit: design by Zeke Barbaro

At the annual conference for the Association of Alternative Newsmedia (AAN) last weekend, The Austin Chronicle went home with some real nice party favors – first-place prizes for News Editor Maggie Quinlan (Explanatory Journalism: “Plantations to Prison Farms: How Far Have We Come?”), staff writer Brant Bingamon (Right-Wing Extremism Coverage: “The Right-Wingification of UT”), and Marketing + Engagement Coordinator Cassie Arredondo, Production and Art Director Zeke Barbaro, and Publisher Cassidy Frazier for their Free Press Forever ad marketing campaign, plus two second-place prizes for Zeke for his covers and illustration work. Additionally, the top of our masthead received some wonderful tributes: Cassidy was given the Spirit of AAN Award for her work providing support to progressive media outlets across the country, and President Nick Barbaro was honored with the John Heaston Lifetime Achievement Award. A big congrats to all.

Speaking of our News editor! Maggie’s been accepted to a prestigious graduate program in Denmark, so she’ll be leaving us in August. We’re all a little bit heartbroken, but this is the best of news for Maggie, and we couldn’t be happier for her or more proud of the work she’s done here at the Chronicle.

And yep, this means we’re on the hunt for a new News editor – someone who is passionate about community journalism and fighting the good fight. Details online at austinchronicle.com/jobs.

This article appears in July 18 • 2025.

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A graduate of the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas, Kimberley has written about film, books, and pop culture for The Austin Chronicle since 2000. She was named Editor of the Chronicle in 2016; she previously served as the paper’s Managing Editor, Screens Editor, Books Editor, and proofreader. Her work has been awarded by the Association of Alternative Newsmedia for excellence in arts criticism, team reporting, and special section (Best of Austin). The Austin Alliance for Women...