City Government Editor to Leave Morning News for Position at Dallas City Hall

The Dallas Morning News' city government and politics editor will leave the staff Monday because he plans to join Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson's office in a policy and communication role. Tristan Hallman, who joined The News staff full time in 2013, spent two years covering City Hall and the last 10 months overseeing city and county coverage. He also oversaw columnists Sharon Grigsby and Robert Wilonsky.Hallman said he was approached by Johnson in late July about the city of Dallas position, more than a month after Johnson was elected in June. Hallman informed The News on Monday morning that he intends to take the new job. City policy requires the position in the mayor’s office to be posted before it can be officially filled. It had not been posted as of 3:00 p.m. Monday.Johnson’s chief of staff, Mary Elbanna, could not immediately be reached for comment.In a memo Monday afternoon, news vertical editor Beth Frerking praised Hallman’s “great work coaching, editing and collaborating.” She told the staff that because Hallman directed city government coverage, he could no longer oversee or edit that coverage and would leave the newsroom Monday.Hallman first worked for The News as an intern in the Washington bureau in 2011. After a second internship, he was hired in 2013 to cover breaking news on the night desk. Seven months later, he was promoted to a public safety beat, covering crime and the Dallas Police Department. He began covering Dallas City Hall as a reporter in 2016."Tristan is a true pro with a deep knowledge of how the city works," News editor Mike Wilson said. "We'll miss having him in the newsroom but wish him every success in his new role."  Continue reading...