It seems Elias Weiss can’t quite escape his roots.

In the days before he officially took the reins as InMaricopa’s new managing editor, the former Phoenix New Times investigative reporter was already elbows deep working to break open a case of stolen valor in Maricopa.

“I cut my teeth unearthing whispered stories of suicide among homeless youth and corruption in religious institutions,” Weiss said of his early career. “I carried that love of investigative reporting to local, state and national newspapers in the years that followed college.”

Weiss formally joined InMaricopa July 6, rounding out the largest editorial team in the magazine’s nearly 20-year history. With it, he brings an impressive résumé from news publications around the country.

Weiss graduated from University of Arkansas and worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers in Arkansas, Virginia, and elsewhere in Arizona. As the top editor at the Chatham Star-Tribune in Virginia, the publication was named “Best Weekly Newspaper in Virginia.”

He joined the New Times in 2021 where one of his career highlights included breaking a multi-national story about Arizona Attorney General hopeful Abraham Hamadeh’s secret record of committing voter fraud.

This experience led to an opportunity to report on Arizona politics nationally for The Daily Beast and a chance to sit down with Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage on international television to discuss Arizona’s divisive election politics during last year’s midterm elections.

But even with those opportunities, Weiss always planned to return to hyperlocal news in a small community.

“The warm glow of the national spotlight never quenched my yearning to return to leadership in a hyperlocal newsroom,” he said.

That passion brought Weiss to Maricopa, whose “youth and vigor” thrill him.

“I’m excited to learn more about the city of Maricopa and the people who live here,” he said. “The youth and vigor of a rapidly growing city scintillate the journalistic senses.”

InMaricopa publisher Scott Bartle said he looked forward to seeing how Weiss could aid the publication’s growth.

“Elias is a bulldog of an investigative reporter,” Bartle said. “I trust he will ensure the mundane and extraordinary stories alike are reported with a level of excellence that is uncommon for a community our size.”

It’s a task Weiss doesn’t take lightly.

“My mission is to uphold and advance the exceptional quality of community news coverage that, for nearly two decades, has been a staple for InMaricopa’s devoted readers,” he said. “Journalism is a profound calling and a public service … our goal every day will be to cover as many of the stories that matter to you as we can.”

Bartle agreed.

“With Elias’s leadership, InMaricopa readers can expect enhanced coverage of the stories they want and the stories they need,” Bartle said.

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