Local news organizations are rapidly disappearing, and those that remain often lack the resources to report on complex public health topics. We strengthen awareness in Texas by producing free-to-republish articles and training the next generation of data-driven reporters.
Texas Community Health News (TCHN) directly contributes to the state's public health awareness by producing original reports that can be republished for free. We also offer customizable data visualizations that make reports relevant to readers and tips for how reporters can localize the content for additional impact.
Since our launch in June 2023, TCHN interns and staff have produced over 20 reports that have been published over 80 times by more than 20 outlets, including Texas Public Radio, The Texas Tribune and The San Antonio Current. Our work has also been referenced in The Washington Post and KFF Health News.
We also provide datasets and visualizations that make data-driven reporting accessible to organizations across the state.
Our internship program places students and recent graduates at news organizations across the state. Interns receive competitive compensation from Texas Community Health News and support from both our team and editors at their host publication.
Gabriela Alcorta Gomez is a journalism major at Texas State University, minoring in women’s studies. She has previously worked as a photojournalist with The Ranger and plans to stay in San Antonio/South Texas after graduation to pursue a career in journalism related to women’s rights and human rights.
Sarah Hernandez graduated from Texas State University in 2023 with a degree in journalism and a minor in Latino Studies. After interning with Texas Community Health News, she took a position as a feature reporter with Community Impact.
Liza Kalinina is a graduate student and instructional assistant in the Mass Communication program at Texas State University. Having been a reporter for the leading national media outlets in Russia, Kalinina had to leave for the United States after a crackdown on independent journalists in 2022, but she hopes to bring change to her home country one day by transferring her experience to the new generation of media professionals.
Levi Long grew up on a cattle ranch in Bastrop and is a graduate of Texas State University with a degree in digital media innovation. Levi worked with Texas Community Health News as a data and social intern.
Haley McLeod graduated from Texas State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in media studies. After interning with Texas Community Health News, she took a position as a government reporter with Community Impact.
Dylan Roddy received his Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Texas State University in August 2023 with a minor in Political Science. He is a graduate student and instructional assistant in the Mass Communication program at Texas State University.
We partner with news organizations across the state in order to provide resources and expertise that strengthen Texas' information ecosystem and increase awareness in areas most in need. Our collaborations include:
Texas Community Health News is a program of Texas State University's Translational Health Research Center, in coordination with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All the content we produce follows the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics.
Daniel Carter is an associate professor of digital media at Texas State University where he teaches courses on data analysis, web development and design. He has a PhD in Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin and studies technologies and infrastructures related to knowledge production and communication.
Kym Fox is a journalism professor at Texas State University focusing on data and project reporting. She has more than two decades of experience as a daily newspaper reporter and editor with a primary focus on criminal justice. She is an active member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, and previously served on the national board of directors for the Society of Professional Journalists.
Terry Bertling is a senior lecturer at Texas State University, teaching courses in editing and media writing. She was a senior editor at three Texas newspapers, most recently at the San Antonio Express-News, where she still works part time as an editor. She's a past president of the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors and the national Society for Features Journalism.
Dale Blasingame is an assistant professor of practice in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he received the 2017 Presidential Excellence Award for Teaching. Blasingame is a part of the Digital Media Innovation faculty, and he teaches courses that introduce students to different aspects of how technology is changing journalism, media and marketing.