Episode 247 of “E&P Reports” – A vodcast series hosted by Mike Blinder
The massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022, left an indelible mark on the community, claiming the lives of 19 children and two teachers. The event shocked the nation and had a profound impact on the small town of Uvalde and its local newspaper, the Uvalde Leader-News. Craig Garnett, owner and publisher of the Uvalde Leader-News, recounted his experiences during that harrowing time, discussed the challenges and changes that followed, and spoke about the experience of appearing with his team in the new ABC News documentary, “Print It Black.”
The consequences of the tragedy
Craig Garnett has been at the helm of the Uvalde Leader-News since 1989 and has led the newspaper through numerous changes and challenges. But nothing could have prepared him and his team for the events of May 24, 2022. Immediately after the school shooting, the media attention was so great that Garnett described it as overwhelming. “There was just a flood of news outlets calling, showing up, coming through the door,” he recalled. He went on to talk about how the newspaper’s executive director and photojournalist Pete Luna was the first on the scene and captured the first images of the crisis.
The media frenzy put Garnett and his team in a difficult position. “We wondered what we should do with these images,” he said. “We decided to make them available for free to the 30 or 40 major news outlets across the country. We felt it would be unfair to the families if it looked like we were trying to make money out of this tragedy.”
A documentary film takes shape
The intense media scrutiny also led to the creation of a poignant documentary on Hulu that focuses on the staff of the Uvalde Leader-News and the broader public’s reaction to the tragedy. One of the central characters in the documentary is Kimberly Rubio, who was the paper’s crime reporter at the time and tragically lost her daughter Lexi in the shooting. Of her role, Garnett said, “Kimberly invited ABC to follow her very soon after the tragedy. She said, ‘I’m going to speak to the national press at every opportunity because that’s Lexi’s voice.'”
Rubio’s personal journey, from coping with her immense loss to becoming an advocate for gun control, is a powerful part of the documentary. “Kimberly has never been more comfortable in the spotlight,” Garnett noted. “She created an image of being an incredibly great journalist, but she wasn’t the one asserting herself on camera. That was her voice for Lexi.”
The challenges of local journalism
The documentary also highlights the larger challenges facing local newspapers, especially in small towns like Uvalde. As national and international media flocked to Uvalde, the local newspaper had to navigate its role in covering the tragedy while maintaining its integrity and connection to the community. “Many were put off by the presence of the media,” Garnett said. “The families of the victims were overwhelmed when people just showed up at their door.”
Despite these challenges, Garnett stressed the importance of local journalism. “We serve a community. We are the last check on power in a small community,” he said. “Our job is to get the news on the front page, to be the spotlight that’s trying to get into the corner.”
Further development to meet new requirements
The events of May 24, 2022, and the media attention that followed forced the Uvalde Leader-News to adapt quickly. “Overnight, we went 24/7,” Garnett explained. “A lot of our content – breaking news – now comes directly to our website. We don’t wait for the Sunday edition. We also introduced a daily update, a summary of the day’s news. That’s been extremely popular.”
This move to digital content has been a game changer for the paper. “We got to know Robb and the national media,” Garnett said. “Our content is unbelievably good. These people are unbelievable. We had to figure out how to package it.”
Looking optimistically into the future
Despite the immense challenges, Garnett remains optimistic about the future of local journalism. The presence of young, enthusiastic journalists in his newsroom is a source of hope. “We have two Gen Z interns with us this summer,” he said. “To have such enthusiasm in the newsroom with young people who are very bright and excited to be in journalism gives me so much hope.”
Garnett also highlighted the contributions of Sofi Zeman, a journalist from Report for America (RFA) who joined the team. “She’s incredible. We put her in charge of crime and education, the two most difficult issues in the city. She’s just incredible.”
Maintaining the trust of the community
During this turbulent time, the Uvalde Leader-News has managed to maintain the trust and respect of its community. “People have generally been respectful,” Garnett said. “They haven’t been very vocal or even written us letters criticizing our viewpoints. But we know the sentiment is there.”
Garnett acknowledged that the documentary helped raise awareness about the important role of local journalism. “The documentary is called ‘Print It Black,'” he said. “It was widely received and showed how important local journalism is.”
A permanent record
In addition to the documentary, Garnett has written a book called “Uvalde’s Darkest Hour,” which will be published in October by Texas A&M University Press. “I felt that this tragedy deserved a permanent record,” he explained. “The book is just a record – a way to document this moment in our history.”
Diploma
The journey of the Uvalde Leader-News and its staff through the aftermath of the Robb Elementary School shooting is a testament to the resilience and importance of local journalism. As the newspaper continues to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing media landscape, its commitment to the community remains unwavering. Garnett’s leadership and the dedication of his team have ensured that the Uvalde Leader-News remains an important voice in a time of unprecedented challenges.
For anyone interested in learning more about the Uvalde Leader-News and its coverage of the Robb Elementary School shooting, the documentary “Print It Black” is available on Hulu. Garnett’s book, “Uvalde’s Darkest Hour,” will be available in October. This story of tragedy, resilience and the enduring power of local journalism is a powerful reminder of the important role local newspapers play in our community.
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