Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public media organization set to launch this fall, acquired Texas Weekly, a newsletter covering the state's government and politics, and named Texas Weekly editor and owner Ross Ramsey as its managing editor.

Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith also named the first five reporters on its staff: Brandi Grissom, Elise Hu, Emily Ramshaw, Abby Rapoport and Matt Stiles.

Texas Tribune readers will have access to Texas Weekly's archives dating back to the early 1990s.

Based in the state capital, Austin, Texas Tribune described itself as "a nonprofit, nonpartisan public media organization whose mission is to promote civic engagement and discourse on the public policy, politics, government and other matters of statewide interest."

Smith on Texas Tribune's new hires:

I'm thrilled that we were able to attract journalists of such high caliber, as each one brings incredible experience and perspective on matters of statewide interest, along with a high level of energy and passion and ambition. I couldn't imagine a better foundation for the kind of work we intend to produce.

Smith on Ramsey:

Ross is one of the two or three best-respected reporters at the Capitol. He's fair, scrupulously nonpartisan, whip-smart and crafty in the way he pries information out of sources. He's also funny as hell, which makes him a great story-teller. That's why we've asked him to write and report, as well as lead our newsroom.