If memory serves, Avi Selk’s work first came to my attention in 2010, when he wrote (with Erin Amburgey-Sood) a great story about a murder. When I see his byline in the paper, no matter the topic, I read the story. He’s one of a handful of actual writers still at the paper. Or he was. It was announced today that he’s leaving for a job at the Washington Post. I count this as a big loss for the News. Taken in context with the recent departures of Brandon Formby and Doug Swanson, this looks like a bad trend. Here’s the email sent to staff from editors Chris Siron and Will Pry:
All,
We’re writing to let you know that Avi Selk will be joining The Washington Post as a reporter on the general assignment desk.
He has been with The Morning News since 2009, when he started as an intern after graduating from UT-Austin.
Avi’s best known to the outside world for his coverage of Ahmed Mohamed (aka Clock Boy). But long before that he had developed an impressive body of work.
Before the February reorganization, he reported for Local News and, in 2011-12, for the Backfield Desk. He has told great enterprise stories while keeping up with the demands of daily journalism in areas including the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, the city of Irving and public safety. In 2015, he was named The News’ Reporter of the Year.
Just since the formation of the Breaking News hub, Avi has repeatedly collaborated on some of the Morning News’ best coverage, including an anti-Muslim hate crime (with Naheed Rajwani), an attempt to displace an elderly homeowner (with Sarah Mervosh and Julieta Chiquillo), a deadly heroin overdose (with Kevin Krause and Naheed), and a near-riot in South Dallas (with Julieta).
Recently his reporting and writing skills were on display in a piece about a couple’s quest to help Thomas Johnson, the former Texas A&M football player accused of killing a jogger at White Rock Lake.
We hope to get more exceptional work out of him before he departs at the end of November. He will begin work at The Post on Dec. 12.
Please join us in wishing him the very best as he prepares for his new opportunity.
Chris and Will
