Author

Caleb Slinkard

Caleb Slinkard is the Executive Editor of the Georgia Trust for Local News and Managing Editor of the Macon Melody. He began his career in Texas as a reporter for his hometown newspaper, the Greenville Herald Banner, and two years later became the paper’s senior editor. Slinkard has run newspapers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Georgia and taught journalism and practicum courses at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mercer University. He was born in Bryan/College Station, Texas to Gary and Susan Slinkard. He has a twin brother, Joshua, and a younger brother, Nathan, as well as two nephews and a niece. He enjoys playing pickleball, chess, reading and hiking around Middle Georgia in his free time.

Read Caleb’s stories.

Caleb's Latest Articles

A man holds a newspaper and a newsletter printed on computer paper with press equipment in the background.
It’s been a wild ride, Macon. A final thank you for all the ups and downs

The Melody's managing editor Caleb Slinkard wishes goodbye to the people who make the paper possible.

Feel free to pay attention to the men and women behind the curtain at The Melody

The journalism I and my staff produce at The Melody is all about strengthening our community. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, our focus is telling the stories that aren’t being told, listening to people who aren’t being heard, highlighting people that deserve more of the spotlight. 

Cheering on the soap box derby, cleaning out the book sale and asking you to write me a letter

Melody managing editor Caleb Slinkard hangs out at the Magnolia Soap Box Derby and buys some books at the book sale in his latest column.

A raised planter with tall plants outside on a porch surrounded by a white fence.
Persistent parsley, the power of practice and prose and the importance of getting your hands dirty

Melody managing editor Caleb Slinkard writes about his weekend planting herbs and how he got his love for growing.

North Carolina workshopping, The Daily Tar Heel and the indispensability of college journalism

Managing editor Caleb Slinkard reflects on his trip to North Carolina.

2025 Cherry Blossom Festival Preview

The Macon Melody's Cherry Blossom Festival preview, featuring stories about events, columns, maps and more.

A SPLOST by any other name, the tiniest of voter turnouts and discussing how we fund future county infrastructure, economic projects

Melody managing editor Caleb Slinkard shares his thoughts on the March SPLOST vote.

Macon’s Ezell leads OPM, agency pivotal to Trump administration’s federal job cuts

Until January, Chuck Ezell was a branch chief in Macon for the Office of Personnel Management. Now he's running the agency at the heart of the Trump Administration's efforts to cut the federal workforce.

Remembering the great Dickey Betts, discovering our parents’ music and the future of melody in Macon

Melody editor Caleb Slinkard writes about the Dickey Betts memorial concert and Macon's musical heritage.

That time Bo Jackson lost in the Cotton Bowl, reporting on your own personal folks heroes and the legend of Buck Wilson

If you talk with a veteran sports reporter, particularly one who covers high school sports, they’ll tell you about their own folk heroes.

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