Karen Borta celebrates 30 years with CBS News Texas

Karen Borta is taking over my blog this week, but it's not every day that the CBS News Texas KTVT Dallas-Fort Worth anchor celebrates 30 years on the air and becomes the first to broadcast the news from an Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) studio.

Make sure to watch the above video to see Borta talk to herself from 30 years ago!  I think the KTVT creative services team was using a little AI for that one!

Borta joined CBS 11 back in 1995 (see, even as a former journalist, I can sometimes do math). Over the past three decades, she has anchored every newscast the station offers — from evenings to mornings — and currently co-anchors CBS News Texas at 4 p.m. alongside Ken Molestina, as well as CBS News Texas at 11 a.m.

Before joining CBS Texas, Borta built her career as an anchor and reporter FOX 13 WTVT Tampa Bay, KRBK 13 (now KMAX) Sacramento and KCEN 6 Waco.

Borta was born and raised in North Texas, graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), which honored her in 2003 with its Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

Throughout her career, Borta has received regional Emmy Awards, Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards, Press Club of Dallas Katie Awards, and the Association of Women Journalists’ Vivian J. Castleberry Award. In 2019, she was named a Legend of North Texas Journalism by the Press Club of Dallas — the organization’s highest lifetime achievement honor.

Beyond the newsroom, Borta is deeply committed to community service and advocacy. She has supported organizations such as Mi Escuelita, Cook Children’s Medical Center, Baylor Sammons Breast Center, and A.W.A.R.E. (Alzheimer’s Women’s Association for Resources and Education).

Her dedication to finding a cure for breast cancer is personal — the disease has affected her mother, both grandmothers, and several other relatives. As the mother of two daughters, Borta has been a tireless advocate for research and awareness, earning multiple honors for her efforts. She has served as Honorary Co-Chair for the 2000 Komen Dallas Race for the Cure, received a Macy’s Heart and Soul Award, and was the inaugural recipient of the Commitment to the Cure Award in 2005.

Borta’s advocacy also extends to Type 1 diabetes research, a cause she embraced after her youngest child’s diagnosis in 2015. She actively volunteers with both the Dallas and Greater Fort Worth-Arlington chapters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Among her many career highlights, Borta counts her exclusive one-on-one interview with President Barack Obama at the White House as one of the most memorable.

Borta and her husband, Jim, are proud parents of three Texas A&M graduates: Jake (Class of 2020), Katie (Class of 2022), and Kylie (Class of 2024). 

CBS News Texas goes virtual reality with 11am newscast

CBS News Texas KTVT Dallas - Fort Worth is now producing its 11am newscast from its Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology-driven studio starting this week.

Legendary anchor Karen Borta was the guinea pig on this one as she was tasked with being the first to deliver the news from the giant floor-to-ceiling green screen.

In a KTVT promotional social media video, when Borta was asked how she was feeling ahead of the debut, she said she was a little nervous:

Unnamed station staffer: When was the last time you were nervous? Before an 11 a.m.?

Karen Borta: Uh, probably 30 years ago.

Staffer: So this is the. So we could say this is the most nervous you've been in 30 years on the air.

Borta: Yeah. Even more than when I was interviewing the president. Yeah.

Looks like Borta knocked it out of Globe Life Field.

CBS News Texas has been using the new technology for the weather segments, but this marks the first time for news anchoring.

The DFW station joined the ranks of CBS sister stations in June 2025, when it launched the 20,384 cubic square feet AR/VR studio for North Texas. 

Did you catch today's 11 a.m. news on our new augmented reality/virtual reality set, making it the only station in the region to offer the groundbreaking technology.

The new set offers a new way to deliver weather and news, immersing audiences in the story. pic.twitter.com/3BVJbwdiZG

— CBS News Texas (@CBSNewsTexas) October 15, 2025

 

Newly married media members in Texas

93Q KKBQ Houston Afternoon Drive Host and Assistant Program Director/Music Director Lauren “Lo” Sessions is now married and is Lo Barker.

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FOX 7 Austin KTBC morning anchor Katie Orth, who is originally from Sugar Land, was also married.

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A post shared by Katie Orth Jackson (@katieorth)

 

Bryanna Carroll joins FOX 7 Austin

Bryanna Carroll has joined FOX 7 Austin as a reporter as of September 2025.

Carroll arrived from NBC Montana (KECI Missoula, KCFW Kalispell, and KTVM Butte all simulcasting through KDBZ in Bozeman, Montana), where she had been a multimedia journalist since 2023.

The New York University grad double-majored in economics and journalism, with a minor in the business of media, entertainment, and technology.

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Angel San Juan suffers minor stroke

Angel San Juan viewers who are missing the morning anchor from the KFDM 6/KBTV Fox 4 Beaumont airwaves have been wondering where he has been. 

Turns out San Juan had a minor stroke.  Here is what he posted:

"I wanted to let folks know I recently suffered a minor stroke.  That’s why I have been off the air.  I was released from the hospital today, and will be recovering for the next month.  

This is a wake-up call that I’m taking very seriously.  

I want to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at Baptist Hospital. They are outstanding and provided me awesome care.  

Thank you to my friends and family who called or came to check on me and who stay on me to focus on my health.  They saved me.  

I also want to thank  my co-workers who are my friends and family. They spoiled me with love, attention and beautiful flowers.   

I’m blessed to have so much love and support.  

Please continue sending those prayers.  I feel them."

Evan Andrews signs off FOX 4 KDFW "Good Day"

Evan Andrews officially retired from FOX 4 KDFW Dallas-Fort Worth's "Good Day" on Friday, and he even got the morning band back together with Chip Waggoner!

"A special heartfelt thanks to our band, our Goodday team (Chip, Lauren, Brandon, Shannon, Paige and everyone who works there for their tireless work!) our weather team and YOU the viewers who have allowed us into your homes and hearts my 26 years at KDFW. Now, it's time to retire," Andrews posted.

The Ali Turiano "Good Day" era is set to begin next.

A special heartfelt thanks to our band, our Goodday team (Chip, Lauren, Brandon, Shannon, Paige and everyone who works there for their tireless work!) our weather team and YOU the viewers who have allowed us into your homes and hearts my 26 years at KDFW
Now, it's time to retire! pic.twitter.com/wSxol28uZD

— Evan Andrews (@EvanAndrewsWX) October 10, 2025

Doug Abernethy returns to Radio One

There is a leadership change at Radio One Houston as Doug Abernethy returns to the group as Regional Vice President over Texas, starting November 10, 2025. 

Abernethy tells me that when he walked into the Radio One conference this week, it felt like he was home.

"I had the honor of leading all the stations with my time at Cox and Radio One," Abernethy told mikemcguff.com.  "Now they are under one roof. It was truly a heartfelt family reunion. It is such a humbling opportunity to lead such a great group of talented people. I look forward to reconnecting with our advertisers, listeners, and community."

Most recently serving as Regional President for Audacy, Inc., Abernethy has overseen major markets across Texas and the South, guiding teams to sustained ratings and revenue success while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Based in Austin, Texas, Abernethy joined Entercom (now Audacy) in 2015 as Vice President and Market Manager for South Florida before advancing to regional leadership roles. He recently launched Austin’s 95.9 Texas Country.

Before joining Entercom, Abernethy spent more than a decade with Radio One, where he served as Regional Vice President for Texas, overseeing five powerhouse stations in Houston and Dallas, including  97.9 The Box KBXX, Majic 102.1 KMJQ, KROI-FM 92.1 Houston and at the time 97.9 The Beat KBFB and 94.5 KSOC in Dallas - Fort Worth. 

Earlier in his career, Abernethy held senior sales and management positions at Cox Radio Houston, AM/FM Dallas, Radio One Washington, D.C., and Entercom Pittsburgh. His success in building high-performing teams and driving market share earned him national recognition — including being named Radio Ink’s Major Market Best Manager in Radio in both 2007 and 2008, and the 2008 Radio Wayne Award for Market Manager of the Year.

So what happens to current Radio One VP/Market Manager Pamela McKay? Well, I am told she is heading to Radio One's stations in Atlanta.

Before joining Radio One Houston in 2017, McKay served nearly a decade as Market President for iHeartMedia Austin, where she managed a six-station cluster, Total Traffic Network, digital/integrated marketing operations, and the University of Texas Broadcast Partnership. 

Earlier in her career, McKay held key sales leadership roles in Houston radio, including General Sales Manager and National Sales Manager for iHeartMedia (formerly Clear Channel Radio).

The Texas Southern University graduate, known for her client-focused approach, McKay has supported organizations such as the Center for Child Protection, March of Dimes, and the Alliance for Women in Media.

Bo Roberts exits Lone Star 92.5 KZPS Dallas - Fort Worth

Bo Roberts has been let go from classic rocker Lone Star 92.5 KZPS Dallas-Fort Worth this week, according to multiple sources.  

His morning show page has been removed from the KZPS website.  Roberts is most likely a victim of the ongoing iHeart Radio layoffs nationwide. 

UPDATE: Roberts told the Dallas Morning News his firing came 13 days before his 72nd birthday and with no official goodbye.

“I am just an old disc jockey who doesn’t want to retire yet,” Roberts told columnist Robert Wilonsky. "I am still going, get out of the way. I’ve had a great time. I’ve had a good run. I just hate it when I don’t get to say goodbye. So goodbye, thanks for putting up with us, and thanks for all the condolences, since it’s all over.

“But not really. I’ll be back. It’s just another job I wasn’t prepared to be fired from. But I’ll be OK. I will be all right.”

In the legendary morning show's place is Lonestar Mornings hosted by Alan Ayo and Anna De Haro.

Roberts is a famous half of the longest-running rock morning show in DFW radio history, "The Bo and Jim Morning Show," along with now-retired partner "Long" Jim White.

The Bo and Jim team began waking up rock fans in 1982 on the now-defunct Q102, KTXQ. When Q102 went off the air, the duo moved to KZPS in 1998.

White retired from the show in 2022, with producer and traffic anchor Randy James staying on.

Their fans, known as Rascuals, listened to their comedic stylings and characters such as BBQ Bob, The Professor, Skillet, and Miss Beulah at the front desk.

The duo was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame class of 2018.

RELATED IN HOUSTON
Sean Salisbury exits SportsTalk 790 after iHeart layoffs

Estéreo Latino 93.3 returns to Houston

Estéreo Latino 93.3 returns to the Houston radio airwaves, swapping the KQBU call letters with KESS, which were previously used on 107.1 Dallas-Fort Worth.

The new format, "La Casa de los Exitos Norteños," replaces Spanish-language sports programming on TUDN 93.3 FM, "Your Station Of Champions."

Houston radio listeners around in the early 1990s might remember the first version of Estéreo Latino 93.3, which played ballads, Latin pop, and tropical rhythms.

It's not the only new station in town, as Puro Tejano 106.1 launched a few weeks ago.

Sean Salisbury exits SportsTalk 790 after iHeart layoffs

Sean Salisbury, who has been the morning host of SportsTalk 790 KBME since 2019, was let go in the recent round of layoffs across the United States at iHeart Radio.

Here is what Salisbury posted to X:

"It’s been a hell of a run the last 8 years @SportsTalk790. 

I fully understand the financial decisions that corporate has to make.  I appreciate the great bosses at IHeart that I got to work with and here in Houston, who have become friends too. Very Grateful for good coworkers and the talent you hear daily on the @SportsTalk790 lineup.  

I’m so blessed to have worked with special teammates/friends on my show every morning, you know my love for you guys!  (I will talk to each of you individually). 

A massive thanks to the phenomenal partners and sponsors who trusted me with your teams and companies daily, I never take that responsibility lightly. 

From my soul, I want to thank you listeners, fans, supporters, and friends who became family, you brought great laughs and passion to my show.  I am filled with joy and happiness and you were a huge reason for the shows success!  

Thank you! Life is moments, and these were fantastic moments. I’m passionate, humbled and excited for the next step of this journey!"

Salisbury hosted "The Sean Salisbury Show" on SportsTalk 790 KBME from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m..  He joined SportsTalk 790 in 2018, initially hosting the afternoon show from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. before moving to the morning slot in 2019.

Over the years, the show has featured several talented co-hosts and contributors, including Michael Connor, Rachel Van Oranje, Adam Sager, and Brian LaLima, who recently departed in March 2025 after nearly three years on the show.

Before joining SportsTalk 790, Salisbury built a career across Houston sports radio:

- September 2013: Joined John Harris on 1560 Yahoo! Sports Radio’s The War Room.

- January 2014: Moved to KGOW (1560 AM), where he co-hosted the afternoon drive show alongside veteran broadcaster John Granato.

- October 2014: Became co-host of KFNC (97.5 FM)’s midday sports talk show, succeeding Chronicle columnist Jerome Solomon.

- April 2015: Teamed up with former ESPN and Comcast SportsNet Houston anchor Steve Bunin as co-host of KFNC’s midday show.

A former NFL quarterback, Salisbury played professional football for 10 years, including time with the Houston Oilers. After his playing career, he became a national sports voice, working as an NFL analyst for ESPN, where he regularly appeared on SportsCenter and NFL Live. Salisbury also served as a consultant for the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard, starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock.

IN DALLAS - FORT WORTH
Bo Roberts exits Lone Star 92.5 KZPS Dallas - Fort Worth

It’s been a hell of a run the last 8 years @SportsTalk790 I fully understand the financial decisions that corporate has to make. I appreciate the great bosses at IHeart that I got to work with and here in Houston, who have become friends too. Very Grateful for good coworkers…

— Sean Salisbury (@SeanUnfiltered) October 8, 2025