12:36 PM CDT on Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Associated Press

AUSTIN-- The Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News, both owned by Hearst Newspapers, are merging their statehouse bureaus in Austin to boost their print and online reporting resources.

Chronicle Bureau Chief Clay Robison will serve as chief of the seven-person bureau. Express-News Bureau Chief Peggy Fikac will become deputy chief.

"Express-News and Chronicle reporters have worked well together covering stories like the presidential elections in Mexico and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina," said Robert Rivard, editor of the Express-News. "This is the next big step, and readers around the state should benefit as we eliminate duplication in the field and extend our journalistic reach."

The Chronicle and Express-News are two of 12 daily newspapers published by Hearst. Other Hearst papers in Texas include the Beaumont Enterprise, Midland Reporter-Telegram, Laredo Morning Times and Plainview Daily Herald.

"We welcome the opportunity to align more closely with our sister newspaper," said Jeff Cohen, editor of the Houston Chronicle. "This merger will allow us to effectively double the resources we use to report on state government."