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 profoundly impacted the small city of Uvalde and its local newspaper, the Uvalde Leader-News. Craig Garnett, owner and publisher of the Uvalde Leader-News, shared his experiences during this harrowing time, discussed the challenges and transformations that followed and spoke about the experience of having his team featured in the new ABC News documentary “Print It Black.”
The aftermath of tragedy
Craig Garnett has been at the helm of the Uvalde Leader-News since 1989, guiding the newspaper through various changes and challenges. However, nothing could have prepared him or his team for the May 24, 2022 events. The immediate aftermath of the school shooting saw an influx of media attention, which Garnett described as overwhelming. “There was just an onslaught of news entities calling, showing up, walking in the front door,” he recalled. He continued to speak about how the paper’s general manager and photojournalist, Pete Luna, was the first on the scene to capture the first images of the crisis.
The media frenzy put Garnett and his team in a difficult position. “We wrestled with what to do with those images,” he said. “We decided to give them to the 30 or 40 top news outlets nationwide at no charge. Our feeling was that it would be a disservice to the families to look like we’re trying to make money out of this tragedy.”
A documentary takes shape
The intense media scrutiny also led to the creation of a poignant documentary featured on Hulu that focuses on the Uvalde Leader-News staff and the broader community’s response to the tragedy. One of the documentary’s central figures is Kimberly Rubio, who was the newspaper’s crime reporter at the time and tragically lost her daughter, Lexi, in the shooting. Reflecting on her role, Garnett shared, “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 narrative within the documentary. “Kimberly was never that comfortable in the spotlight before,” Garnett noted. “She created this persona as an incredibly great journalist, but she was not one to assert herself in front of a camera. That was her speaking for Lexi.”
The challenges of local journalism
The documentary also sheds light on the broader challenges local newspapers face, especially in small towns and cities like Uvalde. As national and international media descended upon Uvalde, the local paper had to navigate its role in covering the tragedy while maintaining its integrity and connection to the community. “Many were off-put by the media’s presence,” Garnett said. “Families of victims were bowled over by people simply showing up at their door.”
Despite these challenges, Garnett emphasized the importance of local journalism. “We serve a community. We’re that final check on power in a small community,” he said. “Our job is to get the news on the front page, to be that spotlight that tries to get into corners.”
Evolving to meet new demands
The May 24, 2022, events and the subsequent media attention forced the Uvalde Leader-News to adapt quickly. “Overnight, we became 24/7,” Garnett explained. “So much of our content goes right to our website now — breaking news. We don’t wait for the Sunday edition. We also started a daily update, a digest of the day’s news. It's extremely popular.”
This shift towards digital content has been transformative for the newspaper. “We went to school on Robb and the national media,” Garnett said. “Our content is incredibly good. These people are amazing. We had to discover how to package it.”
Looking ahead with optimism
Despite the immense challenges, Garnett remains optimistic about the future of local journalism. The presence of young, enthusiastic journalists in his newsroom has been a source of hope. “We have two GenZ interns with us this summer,” he said. “To have that kind of enthusiasm in your newsroom with young people who are very bright and excited to engage in journalism gives me so much hope.”
Garnett also highlighted the contributions of Sofi Zeman, a Report for America (RFA) journalist who joined the team. “She’s incredible. We gave her the crime beat and the education beat, the two hardest beats in the city. She’s just amazing.”
Maintaining the community’s trust
Throughout this tumultuous period, the Uvalde Leader-News has managed to maintain the trust and respect of its community. “People have tended to be respectful,” Garnett said. “They have not been very vocal or even written letters castigating us for our positions on things. But we know the sentiment is there.”
Reflecting on the documentary and its impact, Garnett acknowledged that it has helped bring national attention to the vital role of local journalism. “The documentary is called ‘Print It Black,’” he said. “It was widely embraced and showed the necessity of local journalism.”
A permanent record
In addition to the documentary, Garnett has authored a book titled “Uvalde’s Darkest Hour,” which will be published by Texas A&M University Press in October. “I felt like this tragedy deserved a permanent record of some kind,” he explained. “The book is just a record — a way to document this moment in our history.”
Conclusion
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 serving the community remains steadfast. Garnett’s leadership and his team’s dedication have ensured that the Uvalde Leader-News remains a vital voice in a time of unprecedented challenges.
For those interested in learning more about the Uvalde Leader-News and its Robb Elementary School shooting coverage, 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 essential role that community newspapers play in our society.
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