since he took over as interim editor-in-chief in 2021. He chose not to immediately comment on the board’s decision. The board did not disclose specific reasons to staff. Arana was part of a staff effort that helped save theSeparately, as part of its budget planning process, the board announced that it was eliminating two editorial positions—digital editor and editor-at-large—resulting in the layoffs of Kit O’Connell and Gayle Reaves, who were also on staff during last year’s financial crisis.
“At an organization our size, any decision to conduct layoffs is going to hit everyone really hard, and I’m deeply sorry for the impact on our former colleagues,” said Interim Executive Director Loren Lynch. “These changes are necessary to invest in our audience and fundraising efforts. Media is in crisis, and it’s more important than ever to make certain that we’re serving communities across Texas.
On Monday, the board of directors of the Texas Democracy Foundation—the parent nonprofit of the Texas Observer—announced that Gabriel Arana is no longer editor-in-chief of the Texas Observer. Arana had led the Observer since he took over as interim editor-in-chief in 2021. He chose not to immediately comment on the board’s decision. The board did not disclose specific reasons to staff.
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