25 News KXXV Waco turns 40
Thursday, April 03, 2025
Rita Garcia gives birth to baby #2
Rita Garcia and her husband, Sergio Selvera, welcomed their second child, Jose, this morning:
"Officially a party of 4! Meet Austin Jose fam!
He is happy, healthy & an early bird (just like his mama.)
He arrived just after 7AM this morning (7/3) so earlier than we expected but we will take it! Jordy has been referring to herself as 'big sister' & loving all the lollipops her little brother brought her."
Garcia announced the new baby news in October and the gender reveal in January.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Jordan, on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Check out the baby shower photos.
While on maternity leave with Baby Jordan, Garcia made a special appearance on her former station, FOX 11 Los Angeles KTTV’s Good Day LA, to congratulate her co-anchor, Tony McEwing, on his retirement.
In 2021, Garcia departed Good Day LA and returned to Houston to join ABC13 Houston KTRK.
She had been with FOX 11 Los Angeles since 2017.
Before heading to Southern California, Garcia served as a morning anchor at FOX 26 KRIV, where she started in 2011.
Garcia and Selvera tied the knot in 2021.
Recently KPRC 2's Caroline Brown gave birth with FOX 26's Allison Gargaro announcing her pregnancy.
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Dominique Sachse addresses hateful comments
Dominique Sachse addresses the negativity and mean-spirited comments she has been receiving online in her latest "Over 50 & Flourishing" podcast video.
Here is Sachse's podcast episode summary:
"April is almost here, so let’s ask the real question—am I the fool? This week, I’m switching things up and diving into your comments—yes, even the not-so-nice ones. From opinions on my looks to my life and marriage, I’m reading them all and responding with honesty, humor, and a little perspective. Let’s talk about handling criticism with grace, shutting down the noise, and why, at the end of the day, your opinion of yourself matters most."
What sparked this episode was the reaction Sachse received for her new, longer hairstyle. As someone who has covered Sachse for nearly 20 years, newsflash, she likes to change her hair (examples 2013, 2019, 2021).
Sachse observed a shift in the tone of online comments over the past five to six years, attributing it to the influence of social media, cultural changes, the pandemic, and politics.
The former KPRC 2 and Merit Street Media anchor shares examples of mockery and personal attacks related to her appearance, including comments about her nose hair, lips, and eyelash extensions. The criticisms also focus on aging to her Christian faith.
She also mentions hurtful comments made about her marriage to husband Vic Mignogna and her past relationships.
But this podcast is not all negative. Sachse highlights some positive comments, stressing the importance of allowing people to change without harsh judgment.
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Scott Padgett to leave CBS News Texas
Scott Padgett dropped a big announcement on LinkedIn that he is leaving his position as chief meteorologist at CBS 11 KTVT Dallas-Fort Worth (also known as CBS News Texas).
Here is a portion of what Padgett posted:
"I have some exciting but also bittersweet news to share. I am very happy living and working here in North Texas but I have an exciting career opportunity that I've been working on for many years that has my time at KTVT coming to an end.
That said, the Chief Meteorologist position is open here and it is a rare opportunity to lead a First Alert Meteorology team in the number 4 market in the nation.
[cut]
While my story at CBS News Texas may be coming to an end, my story in forecasting the weather and sharing my love for meteorology continues."
In the summer of 2024, Padgett switched his evening schedule to mornings for its reimagined AM newscast. The chief met joined KTVT in September 2013 on the morning newscast, moving to evenings in 2016.
Before his tenure in Texas, Padgett spent five years at WPLG Local 10 Miami, where he anchored morning and noon newscasts and led hurricane coverage alongside former National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield.
Padgett also served as Chief Meteorologist at KOKH FOX 25 Oklahoma City from 2006 to 2008, where he led the station’s storm coverage and organized storm-chasing teams. Prior to that, he was part of Sinclair Broadcast Group’s NewsCentral project, delivering forecasts for multiple markets across the country, including WVTV Milwaukee, KVWB Las Vegas, WTTA Tampa, and WTTO Birmingham.
Earlier in his career, the Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology grad worked
- Meteorologist for LEX 18 WLEX Lexington, Kentucky
- Meteorologist, Feature Reporter for WPSD Local 6 Paducah
- Meteorologist, Feature Reporter WBKO Bowling Green, Kentucky
- Meteorologist for KFXA Fox 28 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The EMMY Award-nominated Padgett is a member of both the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. He was awarded the AMS Seal of Approval in 2006.
Meteorologist Erin Moran left the station in February, with Lauren Bostwick filling in.
(Thanks, FTV Live)
Frito and Katy award $4,500 to three local 4H and FFA chapters
Audacy’s 100.3 The Bull KILT-FM recently wrapped up their “Frito & Katy’s Farming the Future” contest in partnership with Shoppa’s John Deere.
This initiative awarded a total of $4,500 to three local 4H and FFA chapters to support their agriculture projects and provide them with new equipment from Shoppa’s John Deere.
The winners were awarded at Shoppa’s John Deere booth at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 19th and announced on-air during “Frito and Katy” on March 20. To enter, the chapters submitted short videos highlighting their project, goals, and significance of agriculture in their daily lives.
In addition to the scholarship, 100.3 The Bull was out daily advocating for youth agriculture programs and distributing AG-vocate buttons to fellow supporters of agriculture.
“Frito & Katy’s Farming the Future” contest is a part of Audacy’s commitment to making a meaningful difference at scale. Audacy leverages its reach and personal connection with listeners to promote causes that support mental health and foster strong communities.
(This post was taken from a release sent to me by Audacy)
Wednesday, April 02, 2025
Bill Spencer returns to KPRC 2 Houston
Before I could even write the post "Where is Bill Spencer?" the missing KPRC 2 Houston investigative reporter returned to work.
Tuesday, anchor Andy Cerota broke the news on Instagram, "BREAKING NEWS- BILL SPENCER IS BACK! Welcome back Spence."
The KPRC 2 Investigates team recently won a duPont-Columbia Award. And after seeing the "welcome back" signs in honor of Spencer's plaid-fueled triumphant return, they may be in line for another award (see below).
I recently started receiving inquiries from Channel 2 viewers about Spencer's whereabouts.
They told me he had been off the air since early 2025, which matches up with his last story on the station's website.
Spencer joined KPRC in 2013 from WXYZ Detroit's "Call for Action," where he had worked since 1998 as Chief Consumer Investigative Reporter.
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Marcel Clarke joins ABC-7 KVIA El Paso
Marcel Clarke returns home to ABC-7 KVIA El Paso, a TV market where she previously worked, to anchor weekday evening newscasts alongside Paul Cicala.
“I grew up in El Paso," Clarke said in a statement. "My family is located here and in Juarez, and my work has always brought me back home."
Starting Monday, April 7, 2025, on the 5:00, 6:00, and 10:00 p.m. newscasts, the International Baccalaureate graduate of Coronado High School takes over for Stephanie Valle, who left at the end of December 2024.
“The fact that she is from El Paso aligns with ABC-7’s commitment to local journalism that serves our loyal viewers and digital users,” said ABC-7 News Director Sean Flanagan.
Most recently, Clarke served as the Evening National News Anchor for NBCLX from July 2022 to September 2023.
Before that, Clarke held the same role at BNC, where she anchored key news segments from June 2021 to March 2022.
Her career includes a stint at Fox 7 Austin KTBC as an evening news anchor from July 2019 to June 2020, as well as a role at KCTV 5 Kansas City, where she served as a weekend and breaking news anchor from March 2018 to March 2019.
Clarke also spent two years reporting for KVIA's rivals, Sinclair duopoly KFOX14 and CBS4 El Paso.
Her journalism career began at KOMU-TV, where she gained experience as a reporter, anchor, and producer while earning her degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. During her studies, she was actively involved in professional organizations, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, and RTDNA.
Recognized for her impact in journalism, Clarke earned a nomination for the Forbes 30 Under 30 Media List, highlighting her dedication to transparency in the ever-evolving news industry.
Beyond her work in media, Clarke is deeply committed to community service. She volunteers at women’s shelters, advocating for survivors of domestic and sexual assault. Her passion for health and cancer research became even more personal in 2024 when her mother was impacted by ovarian cancer. This experience has strengthened Clarke’s dedication to raising awareness, supporting research, and expanding resources for those battling the disease.
"Marcel will be a fantastic complement to our team," said KVIA General Manager Brenda De Anda-Swann. "She brings years of experience at the local and national level and is now coming back home ready to use her skills and talents to serve her community. She's a great match for KVIA and a great match for the Borderland."
Tuesday, April 01, 2025
Texas TV April Fools' Day pranks 2025
I couldn't think of anything funny to do on the blog, but I found two Texas TV pranks for April Fools' Day. Maybe there were more, but they fooled me.
Look at the blog's header - I am a dunderpate, after all.
Greg Fields celebrates 27 years with WFAA
Greg Fields, the WFAA 8 Dallas - Fort Worth morning meteorologist for Daybreak, is celebrating 27 years with the station.
The Daybreak crew surprised Fields with a look back at his first day on air.
To commemorate the occasion, they gifted him a custom shirt featuring his various looks from his holiday weather casts.
The Western Kentucky University grad began his broadcast meteorology career in 1989 in his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, before moving on to roles in Tyler, Tampa, and Kansas City.
He joined WFAA in April 1998 as the weekend evening meteorologist and transitioned to the Daybreak newscast in April 2001.
"During my days in Tyler in the early 90’s, I would come to Dallas and hang out with friends and I felt like this is where I belonged," Fields said in his bio. "I said to myself back then that I would be back. I now consider Dallas my adopted hometown."
- Brianda Villegas joins WFAA 8 DFW
Josh Adams named Houston Public Media General Manager
HOUSTON, April 1, 2025 – Following a national search, Houston Public Media today announces that veteran media executive and station manager Joshua B. Adams has been promoted to associate vice president and general manager, effective June 1, 2025.
In this role, Adams will oversee the strategic direction and operations of Houston Public Media’s broadcast and digital assets, including the nation’s first educational television station KUHT TV8 (PBS), KUHF News 88.7 (NPR) and their digital subchannels. He will also serve as an ex officio member of the Houston Public Media Foundation Board, which provides financial support to the organization.
“During the search process, it became clear that Houston Public Media is not just a local asset — it’s a national leader in public broadcasting,” said Raymond Bartlett, senior vice president for administration and finance at the University of Houston. “We realized that the best way to build on our strong foundation was with a leader who deeply understands our mission, our community and our momentum. Josh has been instrumental in our digital transformation, and his knowledge of both the market and the team positions him perfectly to lead us into the next chapter.”
Adams, who joined Houston Public Media in 2012, brings over 25 years of broadcast experience to his new role. In his five-year tenure as station manager, he has overseen Houston Public Media’s day-to-day operations including news, programming, education, engineering, technology, facilities and broadcast operations, as well as digital and social media strategy. Prior roles included executive director of operations, director of technology and operations, and executive producer. Before joining public media, Adams spent more than a decade producing news and talk shows for commercial television stations.
Among his contributions, Adams positioned Houston Public Media for long-term success through partnerships with the University of Houston. He oversaw transformative investments in technology and infrastructure and was integral in the creation of innovative, industry-leading journalism collaborations such as The Texas Newsroom. He has been instrumental in fundraising, forging relationships with donors, sponsors and institutional stakeholders.
“Houston Public Media has always been at the forefront of innovation, education, and community service,” said Adams. “I’m honored to lead a team so deeply committed to connecting and uplifting the people of Southeast Texas. As we expand our digital footprint and strengthen our partnerships, I see an extraordinary future ahead — one rooted in trust, creativity and a passion for public media that informs, inspires and unites.”
Adams succeeds Lisa Shumate, associate vice president and general manager since 2011, who announced her plans to step down last year and concludes her tenure on May 31. Shumate will continue teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston and pursue her interest in executive leadership development.
(This post was taken from a release sent to me by Houston Public Media)
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