Paul Schulz makes KVIA El Paso debut on his birthday

Paul Schulz will never forget his August 2024 ABC-7 KVIA "Good Morning El Paso Weekend" debut on his 23rd birthday.

"I really couldn't think of any other way to spend my birthday," said Schulz. "The morning wake-up call was a bit of an adjustment, but I got to see the clock strike midnight on my birthday for the first time, so that was cool!"

Schulz is co-anchoring with Kerry Mannix.

The May 2024 Arizona State University's Cronkite School of Journalism grad joined the station in July.

Watch his debut below:

Where is KHOU 11's 4:30am newscast?

I have received many messages from viewers saying that KHOU 11 Houston has canceled its 4:30am newscast.

This week, the early Channel 11 morning newscast has been replaced by a full hour of "CBS News Mornings."

But, fans of the KHOU 11 4:30am news, do not go back to bed just yet!  I hear that the early newscast will return soon.

In the meantime, here is some trivia for you. Did you know that KHOU 11 debuted the first 4:30 a.m. newscast back in September 2009? It was called "11 News First Look" and was anchored by Sherry Williams and meteorologist David Paul.

As far as 4:30am newscasts, KPRC 2 canceled its 4:30am news in January 2023. KSAT 12 San Antonio (both KPRC and KSAT are owned by Graham Media Group) canceled its 4:30am in October 2023.

Also, early risers can still grab their coffee and watch Houston TV news starting at 4 a.m. on the newly launched ABC13 KTRK "First at 4AM" and the very longtime running FOX 26 KRIV 4 a.m. newscast.

Media responds to Jerry Jones threatening to fire radio team

The media is responding to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' threats to have flagship radio “105.3 The Fan” KRLD Dallas’ morning hosts Shan Shariff and R.J. Choppy fired for asking tough questions after the team's 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions.

What would Dale Hansen say?

Taylor Whartnaby joins News 4 San Antonio

Taylor Whartnaby has joined News 4 San Antonio WOAI and FOX San Antonio KABB as a reporter.

Whartnaby comes from FOX56 WOLF TV Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where she was a multi-media journalist (MMJ).

The Community College of Philadelphia grad started her career as a production assistant for NBC10 Philadelphia WCAU.

Brian Wice joins abc13 Houston

Attorney Brian Wice is joining ABC13 Houston KTRK as a legal analyst after holding the same position at KPRC 2 since 2003. 

"I can’t wait to hit the ground running with the Ch. 13 team of all star on-air talent, producers, assignment editors, and the masterful managerial tandem of GM Mike Carr and News Director Keaton Fuchs," Wice posted on Facebook (giving mikemcguff.com permission to use here).  "I know how Shohei Ohtani felt when he signed with the Dodgers after all those years with the Angels: there is no greater feeling in this business than being part of a team with a proven track record, a clubhouse with an incredible vibe, and a bunch of World Series rings."

In addition to Channel 2, Wice has also served as a legal analyst for MSNBC. 

His appearances on the Today Show, Dateline-NBC, 48 Hours, 20-20, Good Morning America, CNN's New Day, Anderson Cooper 360, and the 11th Hour with Brian William have led the Houston Press to honor him as the best legal analyst. 

In addition to broadcast, Wice's articles and op-ed pieces on the criminal justice system have appeared in Texas Lawyer, Houston Metropolitan Magazine, the Houston Chronicle, the Texas Bar Journal, and the Houston Lawyer.

What makes Wice particularly suited for media is his background. Graduating magna cum laude from the University of Houston with a degree in journalism, he worked his way through college as a sportswriter for the Daily Cougar and the Houston Post. He attended law school at UH, later serving five years as an adjunct professor of appellate advocacy at the UH Law Center.

He has analyzed high-profile cases such as Andrea Yates, Clara Harris, Tom DeLay, Anna Nicole Smith, and Enron.

Outside of television, Wice has been named "Attorney of the Year" by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association. 

Caroline Brown is pregnant

Caroline Brown announced on KPRC 2 Houston today that she is pregnant. 

And one thing for sure, my inbox will got a lot lighter, because believe you me, channel 2 viewers have been asking me about any potential baby news for the TV meteorologist.

Here is a transcription of the above video:

Andy Cerota: Welcome back. We have a very special announcement and this is breaking news. You are hearing it for the first time right here on KPRC two News at noon. Our KPRC two family is growing. Caroline, take it from here.

Caroline Brown: I have been so excited to share this announcement. So let's show you that mid range forecast coming up. And I am forecasting a baby boy coming February next year. My husband and I are so overjoyed that we're having a baby boy, a seventh generation Texan. We posted this photo on social media about our little pumpkin coming very, very soon. Many people might have noticed, and now we're just overjoyed to let everybody know. Another KPRC baby coming.

Cerota: And we are so thrilled for you and Jack starting a family. Have you picked out a name?

Brown: We have picked out a name, so he's going to be Jack junior. The plan is to call him JJ. So baby JJ.

Brown married her husband Jack Chadderdon at a family ranch outside of Houston in March of 2024.  The couple was engaged in Miami in the spring of 2023.

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A post shared by Caroline Brown (@carolinebrownwx)

 

Daniel Perreault joins KVUE Austin

Daniel Perreault joins KVUE Austin as a multi-skilled journalist(MSJ)/reporter starting October 14, 2024.

Perreault comes from KWWL News 7 Waterloo, Iowa, where he has been a multimedia journalist (MMJ) since June 2020. In 2021, he became the weekend evening anchor.

The University of Missouri grad worked as an anchor/political reporter/producer for the school-owned KOMU 8 News while a student.

He interned with WESH 2 News in Orlando and EURACTIV.

Thank you, Eastern Iowa, for letting me tell your stories over the last four years. pic.twitter.com/fsmeuNP8Gu

— Daniel Perreault (@DPerreaultTV) July 1, 2024

 

"Building the Houston Astrodome"

See a film heralding the construction of the Astrodome.  On October 28th, you can see another Houston institution on the big screen at the River Oaks Theatre for the last scheduled Houston showing of "Runaway Radio!" 

- The Astrodome past and future
- Our #domecoming2018 adventure!
- KHOU 11's 1994 Astrodome moving April Fools' joke
- Old cartoon explains Astrodome's 'real' origins
- VIDEO: Houston newsreel video from the 1940s to 1960s

Blake Mathews leaves Spectrum News 1 Texas

Blake Mathews announced he is leaving the Spectrum News 1 Texas weather team where he has been since September 2023.  It was later announced that Mathews was joining the Texas Division of Emergency Management as a media and communications officer. 

For those keeping score, Wes Rapaport also works there after leaving Austin TV.

Here is a small portion of what Mathews posted on X when leaving TV news:

"The time has come. After 17 years in television news, I’ve decided to switch the mic off on my broadcast meteorology career. Next Friday, October 11th, 2024 will be my last day in this field.

{snip}

My decision to step away from television has been years in the making. I’ve laid awake many-a-nights thinking about what makes me happy along with the volatility of the industry—and no matter what angle I approached from, I arrived at the same conclusion: it was time to go. It was time to take a bold step in a new direction, teeming with exciting opportunity, challenge, and growth. William Faulkner said, “you cannot swim for new horizons unless first you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” So when the opportunity came along to take the bold step forward, I leaped. 

As far as where I’m going or what I’ll be doing, I can’t say quite yet. I’ll reveal that in the next few weeks—but it won’t be at another tv station, that much I can tell you. The new opportunity will be full of opportunity, adventure and challenge. Exactly what I need. 

To all those who trusted me over the last 17 years, thank you. It really has been a dream come true and the honor of my life to serve those who also call this great state home."

In an accompanying graphic, Mathews says he has been with six television stations in five cities.

Before Spectrum, Mathews worked freelance for CBS News Texas KTVT from October 2021 to April 2022.

Before moving up I-45 to the Metroplex, Mathews worked in the KHOU 11 Houston weather department from 2016 to 2021. He was at the Allen Parkway studio when Hurricane Harvey's flood waters took over and eventually wrote the book "Harvey Hell: Off the Air and on the Ropes."

Mathews previously worked for:

- WJXT 4 Jacksonville, Florida as a meteorologist/weather producer

- KPRC 2 Houston assignments editor

- KBTX 3 Bryan/College Station morning and weekend meteorologist

CAREER UPDATE 🚨

The time has come. After 17 years in television news, I’ve decided to switch the mic off on my broadcast meteorology career. Next Friday, October 11th, 2024 will be my last day in this field.

Helen Keller reminds us that life is either a daring adventure or it… pic.twitter.com/MYAdlWLSNG

— Blake Mathews (@BlakeMathews08) October 3, 2024

 

Elyse Smith working for ABC News this week

Elyse Smith traded ABC13 Houston for ABC News Live in New York this week, using her meteorological talents to help with national Hurricane Milton coverage. 

"A midwestern girl forecasting a record hurricane for ABC News in New York… what," Smith posted.  "It’s a catch 22 though to have a major career milestone thanks to a major hurricane. Milton is a life-threatening and likely will be life-changing storm for so many during a season that has already been one for the record books."

Smith credits her experience covering Hurricane Beryl and several other Gulf of Mexico storms this season when talking about climate change related to Milton.

In the video above, the Houston TV meteorologist appears with ABC News Live anchor Linsey Davis.

Smith joined the KTRK weather department in May 2023 WGRZ 2 Buffalo, New York.

A Valparaiso University grad, Smith previously worked for KRCG 13 Jefferson City, Missouri, and interned with WGN Chicago's Tom Skilling and James Spann of ABC 33/40 WBMA Birmingham, Alabama.

The last time a Houston meteorologist filled in at the network level, a big job came their way later!

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