My very best day in Austin with Tony Plohetski
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Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of Tony Plohetski
Through his journalism, Tony Plohetski has held the powerful to account in scores of stories through his joint appointment with the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE.
Background: Plohetski began working in Austin in 2000 as a baby-faced 22-year-old reporter.
- The work of the affable, deeply sourced scoop machine has been recognized three times with a national Edward R. Murrow Award.
- Plohetski was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in public service as the lead reporter in the Statesman's coverage of the Uvalde shooting.
We recently caught up with Plohetski, who lives in the Highland Park West neighborhood with his husband, attorney Wroe Jackson, to ask how he likes to spend a working day in Austin.
How are you starting your day?
"It typically involves a run — I try to log 4 miles at least five times a week."
Whereabouts?
"I'm usually running in my neighborhood — it's very hilly, or in Brentwood, my old neighborhood, where I like to run along Arroyo Seco. But the crown jewel, no matter how crowded it may be, is the hike-and-bike trail around Lady Bird Lake. I often run into sources or officials there."
When you see someone like that, are you in reporter mode, or just being friendly, or both?
"If I run into someone in the news, I might be a little more of an active journalist, and ask them questions — though sometimes it's wonderful just to wave hello to someone."
Are you always thinking in terms of news?
"No matter where I am, I'm always looking for the next important major story for Austin. Whether at a coffee shop or on the trail or having lunch or breakfast or dinner with someone. I wake up thinking, 'Where is the next big story and where am I going to get it?'"
It sounds like you're competitive.
"I'm hugely competitive in every way. I've never been a great athlete. But I like competing with myself, more than anything."
What are you doing for breakfast?
"For breakfast or lunch, I always enjoy meeting people at Mi Madre's off Manor Road. It's got a special place in my heart, because my husband grew up going there as a child — his father would take him there — and he has a relationship with the family who runs it.
The morning after we married, we had a send-off celebration there. And Hoover Alexander over the years has been a friend — I like taking an official or source there."
What's your order at Mi Madre's?
"Two tacos: A migas taco and a bacon and egg taco."
And then you head to the office?
"Yes, either to KVUE on Steck or the Statesman out by the airport. But I live on my phone."
What do you do for a break?
"No matter how busy I am, I take our dog for a 15-minute walk at lunch."
What's the dog's name?
"Cal, an adoptee from the Austin Animal Center. Cal's a mixed breed, about 23 pounds."
Are you getting a bite?
"I might stop by Russell's Bakery and Cafe to get a coffee — I'm very caffeinated, by the way — and I like their muffins."
What's happening for dinner?
"During the pandemic, Wroe became this sort of expert chef. It was a surprise hobby for both of us. He cooks dinner at home several nights a week. At the end of all the things I've juggled, talking to people, racing to meeting deadlines, I enjoy being the dishwasher of our family."
And to unwind?
"The last thing I do every night is watch an episode of an '80s sitcom."
One sitcom in particular?
"'The Golden Girls.' I watch it on Hulu."