Haley Samsel

Story Editor

What I do here

As story editor, my job is to guarantee each “t” is crossed and every “i” is dotted. I edit articles to ensure they are factually accurate, grammatically correct and topped with engaging headlines so our work reaches readers like you. I also coach journalists on their writing and reporting so their next piece is even better than the last.

My Background

I sometimes joke that my background includes virtually every demographic group. I grew up in the Dallas suburb of Plano where I was raised by a single mother in a mixed-race family featuring Tejanos, military members, LGBTQ people, educators, artists and a former professional bowler. They encouraged me to pursue my dream of leaving home for Washington, D.C. After leading The Eagle, American University’s student newspaper, I realized my passion lies not in national political news but in the human stories you only get to tell at the local level.

That calling brought me back to North Texas where I reported on the environment for four years before becoming an editor at the Fort Worth Report, the city’s only nonprofit news outlet. During my time on the leadership team, our staff won more than a dozen statewide journalism awards and reported stories no one else was telling. In Fort Worth, I learned the power of nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism. In my new home of Tulsa, I look forward to building an ecosystem where it can thrive for decades to come.

Where can you find me in Tulsa?

Coming from concrete-covered DFW, I understand why they call this Green Country. I’m enjoying the trails at Turkey Mountain, Oxley Nature Center and all the other natural areas that make northeast Oklahoma special. I’m slightly addicted to live music, so you will catch me at Cain’s Ballroom or Mercury Lounge sometime soon. (I am also accepting Mexican food and coffee shop recs!)

Journalistic ethics

I am a fierce believer in independent journalism that reports the facts without fear or favor. I am dedicated to including all relevant perspectives and providing readers with the context they need to understand our world in all of its complexity. To ensure we live up to that standard, I do not accept gifts from sources, donate to political campaigns or take public stances on the issues on which we report. I recuse myself from stories where I have a personal interest.