KENS 5's Audrey Castoreno announces baby news

KENS 5 San Antonio morning anchor Audrey Castoreno reveals baby gender


KENS 5 San Antonio Early Morning Anchor and Multimedia Journalist Audrey Castoreno has announced she and her husband are expecting their first child.

In a perfect gender reveal scenario, the skies turned pink as Castoreno posed for her announcement Instagram post...it's a girl by the way (photo embedded below)!

The baby is due in November.

Castoreno joined KENS 5 in September of 2015.

The native Houstonian started learning the ins and outs of TV reporting at age 16 while a student at J. Frank Dobie High School's Dobie News program.

As a student at Sam Houston State University, Castoreno also worked for KSHU-News 7 and interned at FOX 26 KRIV.

The award-winning journalist went on to work for KAVU Victoria and KWES Midland/Odessa before heading to San Antonio.

View this post on Instagram

The sky helped us out with our gender reveal 🎀 💗#itsagirl #BabyA #genderreveal

A post shared by Audrey Castoreno (@audreycastorenotv) on Jun 11, 2020 at 7:08am PDT

CW39's Morning Dose adds another hour

KIAH CW39 Houston's Morning Dose adds extra hour to now air from 6am to 10am

Today, CW39 Houston KIAH announced on social media it's adding an extra hour to Morning Dose.

So instead of 6 to 9am, the show will now air from 6am to 10am.

That puts Morning Dose at more hours than most of the other station's AM newscast offerings, but it still has a couple of hours to match FOX 26 KRIV's 4am to 10am.

When Morning Dose re-launched as a Houston only newscast, the station chose to only go head to head with the other stations starting at 6am, and then only competing with FOX 26 after 7am as the other channels go to network programming.

Judge Jerry, which was airing at 9am, has moved to the noon slot. Now what was on at noon before, I have no idea. My skills only go so far. UPDATE: The noon slot was previously occupied by Couples Court.

RELATED
- Shannon LaNier is a descendant of Thomas Jefferson
- CW39 KIAH Morning Dose Anchor/Senior Producer Trey Serna leaves
- CW33 KDAF DFW launching Morning After with Ron Corning and Jenny Anchondo


(Thanks Christian)

Houston Radio Platinum is now Classic Hits

This morning (7-6-2020) Houston Radio Platinum made the big switch from Soft Rock to Classic Hits!

Now you will hear your favorites from Paul McCartney, Bee Gees, Sheryl Crow, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, The Eagles, Earth, Wind & Fire, Nelly Furtato, Train, Tina Turner, Journey, Lionel Richie, Bryan Adams, Smash Mouth, Maroon 5, Neil Diamond, ELO, Doobie Brothers, The Temptations, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Abba, Matchbox 20, Huey Lewis & The News, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Janet Jackson, John Mellencamp, The Carpenters, The Culture Club, Air Supply, Linda Ronstadt, Barry White, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and MORE!

Houston Radio Platinum Owner/Operator Joey Kovacik said "The playlist will span from the 1960s to 2000s with bonafide hits from every music genre! We're very excited about the change!"
Yes, Houston Radio Platinum will brighten your day with some TIMELESS music!

Houston Radio Platinum features "The Jimbo Show" mornings from 5am to 10am.

Hosted by Houston Radio Veteran Jim "Jimbo" Kovacik (KBXX, KFMK, WPHI), "The Jimbo Show" is all about making listeners laugh, having a good time and playing the best songs available.

The Jimbo Show is loaded with his off-beat features, crazy characters, prank calls and his signature parody songs. Jimbo says his goal is "to provide listeners with the fun radio they grew up with…with a modern twist…Yeaahh!"

As for the rest of the schedule, join Gary Mac every weekday from 10am to 3pm.

In the afternoons, Joey & Barry handle your ride home from 3pm to 7pm.

The afternoon show is followed by 70's at 7 and 80's at 8. Then, it's "Love Songs with Donna" from 9pm to Midnight.

Throughout the day, specialty features include "Cooking With Chef Daniel," which features quick fix meal ideas, "Words of Inspiration" with Pastor Dale Young and "Reflections Of Houston" hosted by Texas Radio Hall of Fame member Johnny Goyen.

But that's not all!

Specialty shows on the weekend include Texas Hall of Fame member Andy Waldrop and his "Solid Gold Sunday Night," and The Saturday Night Block Party.

HOW TO LISTEN:
Stream us at: www.houstonradioplatinum.com

Alexa....download our skill from Amazon, and ask Alexa anytime to play us. You can search for us on the My Tuner Radio App! And make us your favorite.

(This post was taken from a press release sent to me by Houston Radio Platinum)

Pioneering Texas TV anchor Judy Jordan dies (KDFW, KLTV, KYTX)

Judy Jordan (Greene), 79, who was the first female television news anchor of a major US city, died last week after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

According to her obituary, she started with KDFW 4 Dallas in 1966.

More from Jordan's obit:

In 1966, the LA Times Mirror designated her as the “First Lady of Broadcasting.” On January 22, 1973, Judy became the first woman to anchor a daily, major television newscast in Dallas-Fort Worth when she was assigned to the newly created 5 p.m. Eyewitness News on KDFW Channel 4.

She was promoted, along with co-host Ray Walker, to KDFW’s 6 and 10 p.m. editions of Eyewitness News on July 30, 1973. Judy was an anchor at KDFW from 1966 to 1980. She also delivered the news on radio station KVIL during the 1980s. READ THE REST

Jordan interviewed such figures as Cary Grant, Lady Bird Johnson, Johnny Mathis, Willie Nelson, Roger Staubach and John Wayne.

The award winning journalist was also the first local TV anchor to take maternity leave according to her obituary when daughter Jordan “Jordy” Greene Roberts was born.

According to Uncle Barky, Jordan left KDFW in 1980.

In 1984, Jordan went to work for KLTV 7 Tyler where she was the weeknight anchor for “East Texas News.”

She eventually moved to CBS19 KYTX Tyler from 2005 to 2007 according to Uncle Barky.

In her final years, Jordan lived in Spring, TX.

Services are pending, but you can leave your memories here.

Trey Serna leaves CW39 KIAH

CW39 KIAH Morning Dose Anchor/Senior Producer Trey Serna leaves

CW39 KIAH Anchor/Senior Producer Trey Serna lets us know he is no longer with Morning Dose:

"Some professional/personal news to share: I am no longer with Morning Dose.

I am incredibly thankful for the unique opportunity I had on this show. It was unlike anything else I have ever done. Working on a three-hour morning show with some talented writers, producers and directors was exciting and rewarding.

I was also able to bring stories to viewers that truly meant something to me.

To top it all off, I got to co-anchor alongside some hilariously fun people who made going into work in the middle of the night a tad more tolerable. 🤪

So what’s next? Rest, reflect and recharge! I’m looking forward to some time for myself, my husband and my boys.

[insert inspirational quote here] ✌🏼😆"

RELATED
- CW39's Morning Dose adds another hour
- Shannon LaNier is a descendant of Thomas Jefferson

Serna re-joined CW39 in December 2018 for the new local version of Morning Dose.

He previously worked for the station as a 39News and NewsFix supervising producer, joining right before the anchor-less show's launch in 2010.

He worked for the then Tribune owned station until 2015 when he worked in a communications role for the Sheldon and Fort Bend school districts.

Serna got his broadcast TV news start at KRGV Weslaco in 2008.

Nexstar Media Group completed its acquisition of Tribune Media Company near the end of 2019.

Since then, we have seen longtime employees such has Station Manager and Director of Sales Harvey Saxer and news director Steve Simon have their job titles eliminated in the last few months.

In May, Chris Pruitt was named the Vice President and General Manager for KIAH CW 39.

New openings on the Nexstar TV jobs database include Executive Producer and Manager, News Operations.



(Thanks Candi)

An explosive week in Texas media

Here we thought the week leading into 4th of July weekend would be a quiet one in Texas media.

As the fireworks explode all night, boom goes that idea.

DALLAS - TYLER

UPDATE
Pioneering Texas TV anchor Judy Jordan dies (KDFW, KLTV, KYTX)

HOUSTON

KHOU 11 4pm anchor Russ Lewis to retire

Executive News Director Sally Ramirez to leave KHOU 11

José Santos leaves Telemundo Houston

The Texas Radio Hall of Fame class 2020 announced

UPDATE
CW39 KIAH Morning Dose Anchor/Senior Producer Trey Serna leaves


CORPUS CHRISTI

Big changes at KRIS 6 Corpus Christi with more on the way


JUNE JOBS WRAP UP

Texas TV news and radio job moves June 2020

As always, take a bite out of Texas media news by sending McGuff the media blog dog a tip!

Have a good rest of the holiday weekend.

Shannon LaNier is a descendant of Thomas Jefferson

CW39 Morning Dose KIAH anchor Shannon LaNier is a ninth generation direct descendant of Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings.

Recently LaNier participated in a Smithsonian Magazine project where photographer Drew Gardner re-imagines historical figures through the eyes of their living descendants.

In the photo, LaNier chose not to wear a wig like Jefferson.

“I didn’t want to become Jefferson,” LaNier told Smithsonian Magazine. “My ancestor had his dreams—and now it’s up to all of us living in America today to make sure no one is excluded from the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

LaNier co-wrote wrote the book, "Jefferson’s Children: The Story of One American Family," about his journey to uncover the history behind his heritage as a descendant of Jefferson and Hemings.

RELATED
CW39's Morning Dose adds another hour

View this post on Instagram

Does Jefferson look like this black 6th great-grandson????? Here's a #BehindTheScenes sneak peek at the making of @SmithsonianMag new #Descendants project that reimagines #HistoricalFigures through the eyes of their living descendants. As a 9th generation descendant of #President #ThomasJefferson & his slave #SallyHemings, @MrShannonLanier decided to participate... not to erase "#HIStory" but to tell the "FullStory." #DNA #Legacy #YouCantPickFamily #ShannonLanier

A post shared by Shannon LaNier (@mrshannonlanier) on Jul 3, 2020 at 8:20am PDT

Big changes at KRIS 6 Corpus Christi

The KRIS morning anchor, morning meteorologist, another meteorologist and MMJ have been removed from the station's - lots of new jobs posted too



There have been several anchor, meteorologists and MMJ departures from KRIS 6 Corpus Christi in the last month.

The following bios have been removed from the station's website since the beginning of June:

- Morning noon news anchor Mike Gillaspia re-joined KRIS6 News in 2013 following a previous time there from 200 to 2010. The native Texan has has lived and worked in San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth and Midland-Odessa.

Gillaspia posted the following on his Facebook page:

The Bible in Ecclesiastes 3 says, “To everything there is a season,” and it appears that my season with KRIS 6 News has come to an end.

Although I did not expect to find myself here quite so soon, I can do nothing but look back on my time at both KRIS and KZTV with great satisfaction. I will miss Anchoring Sunrise and the News at Noon, and I am forever grateful for your encouragement. THANK YOU for making this ole boy feel like something special!

While I don’t know what comes next, I trust that it will be an opportunity that is even bigger and better. I hope the same for my brother, Mac, and for my friend, Sonya, in the new chapters they will now write.

Here’s to the next one — wherever it may be found!

Gillaspia is the only person listed here who seemed to address anything related to this on social media.

- Morning Meteorologist Maclovio Perez has worked 30 years in broadcasting starting in radio in his hometown of McAllen. Know as “Mac” by friends and viewers, Perez worked as a weather forecaster at KENS 5 San Antonio in the late 70s, as a meteorologist at KCBS Los Angeles from 1980 to 1996, WOAI San Antonio from 2002 to 2008 starting with KRIS in 2012 or 2013.

- Meteorologist Tom Harris began his meteorology career in Corpus in 1991. According to his bio, Harris is both a meteorologist and an 8th grade science teacher at Hamlin Middle School.

- Multimedia Journalist Catherine McGinty joined KRIS in March of 2019.

The E.W. Scripps Company bought KRIS Corpus Christi in 2018 from Cordillera Communications, taking control in 2019.

In fact, last week I posted that Ramon Pineda is the new vice president and general manager of KRIS and sister station KDF effective June 29.

More changes are coming to KRIS as the Scripps career website has the following jobs listed:

Multimedia Journalists (MMJ) - four positions are listed
Senior Manager of Broadcast Content, KRIS
Senior Director of Local Media Content, KRIS
Specialty Producer, KRIS
Real-Time Desk Manager, KRIS
Meteorologist, KRIS
Executive Producer, KRIS

I contacted the managers listed in charge on the KRIS website Thursday morning, but did not hear back from them. Nor did I hear back from Scripps corporate.

José Santos leaves Telemundo Houston

Reporter José Santos is leaving Telemundo Houston KTMD.

Here is what he announced on Facebook:

Más de 5 años de experiencias inolvidables. En el 2015 llegue a Telemundo Houston determinado a dar mi todo por la comunidad de esta bella ciudad. Hoy cierro un capítulo en mi carrera. No es un adiós si no un hasta luego. Esta noche será mi último noticiero en esta increíble estación de la cual estaré siempre agradecido. A ustedes les digo ¡GRACIAS! Por su confianza y su apoyo. Seguiremos aquí en contacto en las redes sociales. Un fuerte abrazo virtual. Ahora listo para la proxima aventura

Over 5 years of unforgettable experiences. In 2015 I arrived in Telemundo Houston determined to give my all for the community of this beautiful city. Today I close a chapter in my career. It's not goodbye but a see you later. Tonight will be my last newscast at this amazing station that I will forever be grateful for. To you guys I say THANK YOU! For your trust and support. We will stay here in touch on social media. A big virtual hug. Now ready for the next adventure

He joined KTMD in March of 2015 from KINT El Paso where he worked as a reporter focusing on community, immigration issues, and border policy.

Before that he worked as a reporter for El Diario de El
Paso from 2010 to 2013.

The award winning journalist is a University of Houston graduate.

Best TV News Bloopers June 2020

Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth stations in the beginning of the video.