Dominique Leh joins FOX 7 Austin

Dominique Leh has joined FOX 7 Austin KTBC as a reporter, moving from Waco in September 2026.

Leh made her on-air debut at FOX 7 and shared the news on Instagram:

“Well Central Texas I didn’t go far! Say Hello to your newest reporter at Fox 7 in Austin!

Last night I made my on-air debut, and now I get the honor of serving this community which I’m really excited about, and I’m ready to hit the ground running!

P.S. Waco I miss you so much! I’ll be back to visit!”

Leh announced her departure from 25 News KXXV in Waco-Temple-Killeen in August 2026 after more than three years with the station. At the time, she gave no hint of what was coming next.

She joined KXXV in August 2023 and served as the station’s Neighborhood Reporter, covering Waco and Baylor University.

Before moving to Central Texas, Leh spent two years at KBMT in Beaumont, where she worked as a reporter, editor, and producer.

A native Texan, Leh moved to Kingsville at six and eventually settled in Kirbyville, where she graduated from high school in 2017.

Leh attended Lamar University, where she played four years of women’s tennis and earned a degree in broadcasting in 2021.

It is likely that Leh or recent FOX 7 hire Julieanna Jackson (also from Waco, but at KCEN 6) is taking the place of reporter Bryanna Carroll, who is no longer listed in the KTBC website's bios section. 

Carroll joined FOX 7 in September 2025.

The New York University grad 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.

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Let's talk about those Caroline Collins streaming posts

When I first saw FOX 26 Houston KRIV evening anchor Caroline Collins' posts on social media about her directing or "punching" her own streaming show, I had no desire to write about it, because it was being done in Houston **FIVE YEARS AGO**.

And who knows where else they were doing it before that. If memory serves, KLTV in East Texas did a solo-anchor streaming show back in the late 2000s!!! And old-school radio DJs are probably like, "What about us?"

For those not eternally online, last week in the Instagram video called "The Future of Local News," Collins talks about her work with the TriCaster and calls it "scary."

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A post shared by Caroline Collins (@carolineontv)

I went to two Houston TV parties last weekend where various people talked about the Collins post and said none of this is new.

Back in 2021, Brandi Smith was the first Houston digital anchor using the VMix on her own to stream. Not long after, ABC13 KTRK used the Ross Video Graphite when Jonathan Bruce was hired in 2022 as a digital anchor, "punching" his own show. 

In fact, Thursday Brunce released a TBT on Instagram showing off the promo from back then. 

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A post shared by Jonathan Bruce (@jonathanabc13)

So all those people asking what is going on with the industry all of a sudden because of her post, clearly you haven't been paying attention or reading this blog or the trades.  We've been telling you about the demise of broadcast for years!  

I just did a giant story on KPRC 2's ENOUGH that's being shared around the country, about the station tackling the industry-wide TV ratings decline head-on by changing their 10pm newscast 

Now I get it, Collins only started on air in Houston in 2023. She might not know what other Houston stations have done in the past, but because of her massive social media following, with a Master’s Degree in Communication Technology and a social media specialization in tow, whatever she does will be amplified.

What I am tired of is the endless posting about this like it is the future when it really isn't (read what I think is the future below). 

Heck, FOX as a company has been doing this for years on streaming product LiveNOW from FOX. 

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I've been waiting to hear back from FOX before I posted, but my guess is I will never hear back.  And I don't blame them. I'm sure they know this isn't the cutting-edge tech they are presenting it as.

Here are the questions I sent:

- Is Caroline doing a streaming show and a linear newscast like this?

- How many hours of streaming is KRIV doing now?

- Is Caroline the only anchor doing this at KRIV?

- I saw that FOX 35 Orlando is starting something similar; is this anchor "directing" going to all FOX O&O's?

- My DFW readers love KDFW, so are they going to have anchors directing soon too?

- Is the switcher product a Tricaster?

- Does KRIV still employ directors?

- Is this a local model of LiveNOW?

Now here is what a guy (I'm talking about me) who has been writing a media blog for 20-plus years and started in TV back in 1995 thinks.  

Anchors directing their streams is not the future.  The future is already here, and I wrote about it earlier this week.  It's AI anchors.

So there you go, a post I never thought was even worth writing, but because of all the misinformation out there, here you go. 

Ex-San Antonio TV reporter goes viral in "Right to Bare Arms"

Former News 4 San Antonio WOAI investigative reporter turned attorney Mariah Medina is going viral in what the syndicated show Inside Edition called the "Right to Bare Arms."

I was on Inside Edition today 🙂 pic.twitter.com/KQyIlVI25m

— Mariah Medina (@MMedinanews) September 24, 2026

A tweet about Judge Yolanda Huff calling Medina's shoulderless J. Crew dress “inappropriate” in her Bexar County courtroom has made the ex-TV newser a viral sensation, even landing her in the New York Post.

Now her old station is reporting on the incident, but oddly, from what I saw, it never mentioned Medina worked for them just a year ago.

UPDATE: Judge Huff responds, and this morning WOAI mentioned Medina worked for them.

Remember, I am a total dunderpate, I need your help.  What do you legal experts think about this story?

This is what I was wearing today when a judge said that I was inappropriately dressed for court.

It’s a dress I’ve worn on air countless times and a dress that I have worn to other courts without issue.

I was confused, so I explained that it’s a shift dress… pic.twitter.com/PUIeyOKGFS

— Mariah Medina (@MMedinanews) September 21, 2026

Andrew "Latty" Latimer has 104 dreams come true on KRBE Houston

Andrew "Latty" Latimer is living his dream job as one of 104.1 KRBE Houston's newest DJs. 

- 104.1 KRBE gets a new look

"It’s kind of a surreal situation for me because I grew up in Houston listening to that station and winning concert tickets and movie passes, now I’m the one giving them away," Latty told mikemcguff.com

Growing up in Sugar Land, Latty says working for KRBE feels surreal.

"I grew up listening to this station religiously with my family," Latty told me.  "I remember in 1994 my friend's dad packed me and a few friends in the car and drove down Richmond Ave the night the Rockets won the Championship. We were listening to KRBE, and the DJ had people call in and tell him what their best Rockets moment that year was. That's when I realized that is what I wanted to do with my life. And hopefully I can do that for someone else!

"When I was 13, I won tickets from KRBE to the movie Renaissance Man, that starred Danny DiVto and Mark Wahlberg. I was so nervous when the DJ answered...I don't think I talked too much at all. Me and my friends won tickets to see Bush, No Doubt and Goo Goo Dolls at the Summit...great concert by the way!"

I know...a young Mike McGuff was at the same show!

Latty's radio road back to the KRBE weekend shift in January 2026 started off with morning show host gigs with Memphis, Tennessee stations Q107.5 WHBQ and KIX 106 WGKX.

"My radio journey started when I was 20 in Memphis, TN, and I quickly caught the 'Radio Bug,'" Latty told me.  "I started working in promotions, holding up station banners at car dealerships, and worked my way up to Morning Show Host.  I was also a regular on television for seven years on Wednesdays for WREG News Channel 3 for Water Cooler Wednesday, where we would sit and talk about current news topics."

Now, on Wednesdays from 7 to 10am, Latty appears on The Roula Show with Eric, featuring Special K & Sam.

"I love working with Roula, Eric, Special K and Sam," Latty added.  "Even though I am not a full-time member of the show, they treat me like family. I work with them on Wednesdays from 7:00 am-10:00am, and I host the Rapid Fire Trivia game at 8:00am. I just give them the questions, but I'll take the name 'host' lol."

For Latty, life has certainly come full circle from when he was listening to Sam Malone and Maria Todd while driving to school with his mom. 

"I'm just happy to be home to be with friends, root on my favorite sports team...Astros, Texans, and Rockets...eat the best food in the U.S. and once again be able to call myself a TEXAN," Latty admitted.

Houston Public Media Foundation Announces New Board Leadership and Members

The Houston Public Media Foundation announced the appointment of new board directors and officers.

Michael Stewart has been named president of the board of directors, succeeding John Bradshaw, who will continue to serve the board in an ex officio role as immediate past president.

“I am honored to serve as president of the Houston Public Media Foundation Board at such an important moment for public media,” said Stewart. “We have an exciting opportunity to build on Houston Public Media’s strong legacy, expand its reach and ensure this vital community resource remains strong for the future.”

In addition to Stewart’s appointment, the foundation announced its slate of board officers:

César Giralt, vice president - Vice President, Pariveda

Lee Entsminger, secretary - ExxonMobil (Retired)

Larry Dudek, engagement committee chair - Franchise Sales and Network Manager, Shell Lubricants/Jiffy Lube (Retired)

Jeffrey Whitley, finance committee chair - LNG Commercial Operations Director, Sempra Infrastructure

Victoria Cordova, governance committee chair - Executive Director of Communications, University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs

The foundation board also welcomed new directors:

- Amin Nosrat, Deloitte (Retired)

- Sue Payne, ExxonMobil (Retired)

“We are fortunate to have a board with such a strong range of experience, expertise and commitment to Houston Public Media,” said Joshua Adams, associate vice president and general manager of Houston Public Media. “I look forward to working with Mike and the board to strengthen our connection with the community and build a sustainable future for public media in Houston.”

The Houston Public Media Foundation supports Houston Public Media’s mission across radio, television, digital, and social platforms through fundraising, resource allocation, and philanthropic efforts. The new board leadership and directors bring diverse professional expertise and community perspectives to the foundation as Houston Public Media navigates a rapidly changing media landscape.

More information about the foundation and its board of directors is available here.

Houston Public Media Launches Future Fund with $1 Million Gift from The Cullen Foundation

Houston Public Media announced today the launch of the Future Fund, a $15.5 million fundraising initiative focused on building a sustainable model that helps to ensure the future of local public media and strengthen its ability to serve future audiences. The fund received a strong start with two inaugural gifts: $1 million from The Cullen Foundation and $100,000 from the Conely Foundation.  

The initiative comes at a pivotal moment for public media, as organizations across the country continue to grapple with the long-term funding shortfall created by the rescission of federal funding enacted in 2025.  For Houston Public Media, the Future Fund represents a long-term investment in the organization’s ability to remain an independent, trusted and essential community resource for news and information. By strengthening its financial foundation, the fund supports long-term stability and the ability to evolve with changing audience needs.

“The Future Fund is about more than sustaining Houston Public Media, it’s about building the public media organization our community will need for the future,” said Josh Adams, associate vice president and general manager, Houston Public Media. “Houston is growing and changing rapidly, and we have an opportunity to think boldly about how we serve this region, reach new audiences and strengthen the role of independent local media. These investments will help ensure Houston Public Media remains a trusted source of journalism, arts, culture and connection for generations to come.”

The Future Fund will support six interconnected priorities:

    Expanding local journalism to deepen coverage of the people, issues and communities that shape the Houston region.

    Increasing access to arts and culture by connecting more people with Houston’s vibrant cultural institutions, artists and creative voices.

    Reaching new audiences through new platforms, formats and approaches that meet people where they are.

    Growing community support by strengthening relationships with members, donors and other stakeholders who value independent, local public media.

    Developing earned revenue opportunities to diversify HPM’s funding and create new sources of long-term sustainability.

The Future Fund follows the successful completion of Houston Public Media’s Resiliency Fund, which was launched in response to the loss of federal funding. The organization achieved its goal of $4.4 million, providing two years of bridge funding, allowing Houston Public Media to navigate the immediate impact of the funding change while developing a longer-term strategy for sustainability. With that immediate need addressed, Houston Public Media is turning its focus toward the future.

“We saw firsthand through the Resiliency Fund how strongly Houston values public media,” said Lynne Cook, chief development officer, Houston Public Media. “When our organization faced an immediate funding challenge, donors stepped forward and helped us reach our goal. The Future Fund builds on that momentum, giving our supporters an opportunity to help share a sustainable future for Houston Public Media. We are grateful for visionary donors such as The Cullen Foundation and Conely Foundation whose generosity has given this effort a strong start.”

Houston Public Media provides trusted local and national news, educational programming for children and adults, emergency and public safety information, and storytelling for the entire family across its radio, TV, streaming and digital platforms, reaching audiences throughout the region. Houston Public Media’s newest platform innovation, HPM+, allows streaming and connected TV households access to free news, entertainment and educational programming.

To contribute to the Future Fund and support Houston Public Media, visit https://bit.ly/4Au5JDN.

Telemundo 39 Dallas ‘Responde’ Surpasses $1 Million Recovered for North Texas Communities

FT. WORTH, Texas – Sept. 24, 2026 – Telemundo 39 Dallas / KXTX, part of NBCUniversal Local’s Telemundo Station Group, announced its consumer investigative unit, Telemundo 39 Responde, has surpassed $1 million recovered for North Texas community members, marking a significant milestone in the station’s ongoing commitment to advocating for and serving the region.

Since its launch in 2014, Telemundo 39 Responde has helped North Texas consumers navigate a wide range of consumer-related issues, including fraudulent transactions, scams, incorrect or unexplained charges, refunds, customer service disputes, and more. Through its investigative work, the unit works directly with consumers and businesses to help resolve complaints, recover money and bring attention to issues the region.

“This is an incredible milestone and a testament to the impact Telemundo 39 Responde has made in our community over the last 12 years,” said Tony Canales, President and General Manager of NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth and Telemundo 39 Dallas. “Serving our community is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to provide our viewers with a trusted resource that can help them navigate consumer issues and find answers.”

Telemundo 39 Dallas launched Telemundo 39 Responde in 2014 as one of the original seven Telemundo-owned stations to create consumer investigative units in their markets, alongside Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, San Antonio, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

“Every case brought to Telemundo 39 Responde represents a member of our community looking for answers and trusting our team to help,” said Rossyris Silva, Vice President of News at Telemundo 39 Dallas. “This milestone reflects the dedication of our journalists to advocating for consumers and making a meaningful difference for North Texas families.”

What began with the establishment of the Consumer Investigative Center (CIC) and Telemundo 52 Responde, the CIC now operates in 33 Telemundo- and NBC-owned stations across 23 U.S. markets and Puerto Rico. Over the last 12 years, NBC-owned stations have recovered more than $61 million for consumers, while Telemundo-owned stations have recovered nearly $44 million. Collectively, NBCU Local’s CIC and Responds / Responde units have recovered more than $107 million for consumers across the nation since 2014.

North Texas community members seeking assistance with a consumer-related issue can submit information to Telemundo 39 Responde here.

Mary Benton leaving Houston Mayor's Office for METRO

Mary Benton, Houston’s chief communications officer and a senior advisor to Mayor John Whitmire, is leaving the City of Houston for a new role with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO).

No doubt Benton is leaving a job that deals with every Houston media property in some way. 

Benton is a familiar name to longtime Houston television viewers, having spent nearly two decades as a reporter at KPRC 2.

Before moving into government communications, Benton built a long career in Houston television news. She joined KPRC 2 in October 1994 and remained with the NBC affiliate until July 2014.

During her nearly 20 years at KPRC, Benton covered a wide range of stories, including Houston City Hall, hurricanes, politics, and major breaking news.

Her television career began in Texas before arriving in Houston. Benton worked as a reporter and substitute anchor at KTBC 7 in Austin from 1992 to 1994. Before that, she worked at KCEN 6 in Waco-Temple-Killeen.

After leaving KPRC in 2014, Benton transitioned from reporting the news to working on the other side of the microphone in government communications.

She joined the Harris County Toll Road Authority as Manager of Media Relations and Public Affairs, serving as the agency’s primary spokesperson while handling media relations, community outreach, and public communications.

Benton later became Director of Communications and Division Director for Harris County. She also worked at Harris County Public Health, where she handled communications, marketing, media outreach, and stakeholder engagement.

In January 2018, Benton returned to Houston's political communications scene when she joined the Houston Mayor’s Office as Press Secretary. She was later promoted to Director of Communications in 2020.

Benton eventually became Chief Communications Officer and Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Houston. In that position, she served as the mayor’s chief spokesperson and senior communications advisor while helping oversee communications strategy for the mayor and city government.

In June 2026, Benton received the Legacy Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Houston Chapter during the 41st Annual Excalibur Awards at the Houston Botanic Garden. The event, themed “Night of Bold Voices,” recognized communications professionals throughout the Houston area. The Legacy Award honored Benton’s lengthy career in Houston media and communications.

AAF-Houston also honored Benton in 2019 for her leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion. She has additionally been recognized as an influential woman and role model in the Houston community.

A native of Harlingen, Texas, Benton graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Journalism degree.

* This post originally said that former KHOU 11 anchor Jerome Gray worked for METRO.  He previously worked at METRO until 2024.

Justina Latimer joins FOX 5 Atlanta

Justina Latimer announced she joined FOX 5 Atlanta WAGA as a morning and traffic anchor the same day Leigha McNeil was announced for Latimer's previous KPRC 2 job!

At first I thought I got my traffic patterns wrong...but now. 

Here is a portion of what Latimer posted on Instagram:

"I’m thrilled to finally announce that I’ve joined FOX 5 Atlanta as a Morning Anchor! Starting tomorrow you can catch me weekdays bright and early:

4:30–6 AM — Anchoring the News 

6–9 AM — Bringing you Traffic Updates

10 AM — Co-hosting Good Day Atlanta

I’m so grateful for this next chapter and to be joining some of my family and friends in the A. I can’t wait to wake up with you every weekday on Good Day Atlanta!"

Latimer's ears must have been burning, since I mentioned her this morning on my blog.  Latimer left KPRC in 2024 when the station suddenly stopped having a morning traffic position.  Today, Channel 2 announced it had hired Leigha McNeil to bring the position back.  I had mentioned this summer that KPRC was bringing the job back.

She joined KPRC 2 as its traffic anchor on Monday, May 1, 2023, taking over the role from Anavid Reyes.

Before joining KPRC 2 Houston, Latimer worked at WSMV4 in Nashville, Tennessee, where she had served as a fill-in anchor and multimedia journalist (MMJ) since March 2021.

Prior to her time in Nashville, Latimer was a reporter at WTEN 10 in Albany, New York, and worked as a traffic anchor at DC News Now in Washington, D.C., formerly known as WDVM-TV and WHAG.

Latimer also served as the West Virginia reporter for the statewide newscast “West Virginia Tonight.”

A graduate of Towson University, Latimer is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Early in her career, she interned at FOX 5 DC WTTG, WYPR 88.1 FM, and WBAL 11 in Baltimore.

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Leigh Waldman promoted to CNN Correspondent

Leigh Waldman is moving up at CNN after her days at KSAT 12 San Antonio.

The network announced on September 23, 2026, that Waldman has been promoted to CNN Correspondent. Beginning October 12, she will be based in Los Angeles and report across CNN platforms as part of the network’s domestic news coverage.

Waldman previously served as a New York-based correspondent for CNN Newsource, reporting stories for CNN’s more than 1,000 affiliate partners nationwide.

Since joining CNN, Waldman has covered major national stories, including the deadly Fourth of July flooding in Central Texas, the impact of hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, school shootings, and the historic launch and return of astronauts aboard Boeing’s Starliner.

Waldman shared the news on Instagram, writing:

“Trading the NYC skyline for the Hollywood hills. So thrilled to start working alongside my incredible colleagues in Los Angeles. There’s no place like CNN, I’m honored beyond words to keep working with these amazing journalists.”

Her promotion marks another step in a career that has included stops in Texas and Nebraska.

Before joining CNN in 2024, Waldman was an investigative reporter at KSAT 12 in San Antonio. She joined the station in 2021 and was promoted to the KSAT Investigates team in 2023.

At KSAT, Waldman led investigative and enterprise reporting for the station’s 10 p.m. newscast and played a major role in the station’s team coverage of the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde. That work earned an Emmy Award, a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, two Telly Awards and a Texas Broadcast News Award.

She also created and hosted “Texas Crime Stories,” a multiplatform true-crime podcast focused on high-impact cases across Texas.

Waldman announced in April 2024 that she was leaving KSAT. She later revealed her next move was to CNN Newsource in New York.

The CNN connection was particularly meaningful for Waldman, who previously interned at the network’s Atlanta headquarters. When she left CNN as an intern in 2016, she said she always hoped to return as a correspondent.

“When I left CNN in 2016 as an intern, I always said I would be back again as a correspondent for this incredible network,” Waldman wrote in 2024. “After years of hard work, dreams do come true. So thrilled to work alongside these incredible journalists.”

Before KSAT, Waldman was a weekend morning anchor at WOWT in Omaha, Nebraska.

She began her professional television career at KAVU 25 in Victoria, Texas, working as an anchor and producer.

Waldman graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

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Leigha McNeil joins KPRC 2 Houston as morning traffic anchor

Looks like KPRC 2 Houston is adding competition for Jennifer Reyna in the morning traffic battle.

KPRC 2 announced earlier this morning that Leigha McNeil is returning to Texas to join the station as its new morning traffic anchor. McNeil comes to Houston from WWL-TV Channel 4 in New Orleans, where she held the same position.

Quickly, let's take a look at our TranStar cameras for an I-69 detour to point out another recent roadblock in the morning TV traffic world: the upcoming departure of ABC13 KTRK SkyEye's Tammy Rose.

And here is where my media-blogging rabbit hole goes deeper, as you will notice in the video clip above.  McNeil worked on the WWL morning show with former KPRC 2 reporter Brandon Walker and now KHOU 11 anchor Brheanna Berry (known as Brheanna Boudreaux in New Orleans).  And let me add, my office doesn't have a bulletin board on the wall with a lot of red strings connecting photos of anchors...not yet, at least. If that happens, I'll take another "blogging break." 

New FOX 5 Atlanta anchor Justina Latimer was the most recent morning traffic anchor at KPRC 2 before leaving the station in 2024. At the time, I heard KPRC had eliminated the dedicated traffic position.

Before Latimer, Anavid Reyes held the role after Jennifer Reyna left KPRC at the end of 2019. Reyes took over in 2020 before eventually leaving the position.

Reyna has since joined KHOU 11 as a traffic anchor in 2021 and recently expanded her role to include fill-in anchoring. 

Let me add that Reyna leaving KPRC is still my number 1 all-time post.  What's the second? Well, another KPRC traffic-related post: Did a KPRC reporter meltdown on live TV?

McNeil joined the WWL 4 morning team in September 2022 as a morning reporter before moving into the traffic anchor role.

Her return to Texas comes after several years in Louisiana and follows her time at KXXV 25 in Waco/Temple/Killeen. McNeil joined KXXV in August 2020 as a reporter based in the station's Killeen bureau and later became a weekend anchor.

An Emmy Award-winning journalist, McNeil was born and raised in New Orleans. She grew up in New Orleans East with her parents and younger brother, while spending much of her childhood in Uptown New Orleans, where she attended Lusher Charter School.

After high school, McNeil attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. During her junior year, she began working at News15 KADN/KLAF in Lafayette as an assistant news producer. She later moved up to multimedia journalist and weekend anchor.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

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*updated with Justina Latimer joining Fox 5 Atlanta