Joe McCoy is joining ABC13 KTRK Houston as a reporter, arriving from KARE 11 in Minneapolis, where he has worked as a dayside and weekend reporter since July 2024.
Before moving to Minneapolis, McCoy spent more than a year at WQAD News 8, the TEGNA-owned station in the Quad Cities, where he worked as a multimedia journalist and weekend anchor. He joined WQAD in 2022 as an intern before being hired full-time in January 2023, covering local news across eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
McCoy is a graduate of Augustana College, where he earned a degree in journalism and economics. While in college, he was actively involved in broadcasting and student media, including serving as a sports broadcaster and hosting a weekly football radio show covering NFL analysis and commentary.
He also worked as a play-by-play announcer for QCSportsNet, calling high school football and basketball games across the Quad Cities region, and served as a reporting intern for WVIK, Quad Cities NPR.
Berry delivered her first consumer report and talked with the morning crew about her 4pm anchor role.
"Yes, [Ron Treviño]'s going to be stuck with me, so I hope you guys check me out at 4 p.m., and that's changed for me because I've always done mornings," Berry explained. "I've done mornings when I was in here in Houston. I've been all over. And in my career it's always been mornings. So not getting up and doing like the rush of the day right off the top has been crazy for me. But I had coffee this morning. I took my time, I worked out."
Speaking of mornings, at TEGNA sister station WWL-TV 4 New Orleans with Brandon Walker, Berry went by Brheanna Boudreaux.
And speaking of the Garden Oaks Theatre's survival, Arthouse Houston is trying to save it by hosting a rare in-person evening with Houston filmmaker Wes Anderson, celebrating his remarkable 30-year career.
Anderson is returning to Houston, where his life and journey in film began, for this one-night-only event benefiting the preservation of the Historic Garden Oaks Theater and the founding of a new Arts & Film Center.
When: Friday, July 17, 2026
6:00 PM: Q&A with Wes Anderson for Founders Experience donors
7:00 PM: Doors Open, Reception & Live Music
7:30 PM: Welcome, Auction, and Intro by Wes Anderson, followed by a screening of selected shorts
Where: Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Ashley Bowerman is leaving Tucson’s KOLD 13 News and FOX 11 (KMSB) after more than three years as the station’s main evening anchor and reporter, marking a return to her home state of Texas for a new on-air opportunity.
Here is what Bowerman posted:
"GOODBYE TUCSON! Today was my final day at KOLD/FOX 11. WOW! It's been a ride! What a pleasure and honor it has been to bring the Tucson community the news every evening. I will miss working with all of my co-workers who I am blessed to now call life-long friends. Tucson will forever hold a very special place in my heart. I am looking forward to my next opportunity which will bring me much closer to my family in Texas! (more details on the new gig coming soon)."
Bowerman joined the Tucson duopoly in June 2023 under Gray Television, where she anchored FOX 11 newscasts and contributed reporting across both KMSB FOX 11 and KOLD 13 News.
Before moving to Arizona, Bowerman spent more than three years at WSFA 12 News in Montgomery, Alabama, where she served as weekend evening anchor and reporter.
A San Antonio native, Bowerman is a graduate of Texas State University, where she earned a degree in electronic media with a minor in mass communication, graduating summa cum laude.
While in college, Bowerman was deeply involved in student media at KTSW 89.9 FM, serving as assistant news director, anchor, producer, and reporter for the campus station and student newscasts. She also participated in campus organizations, including the Texas State Strutters dance team, and was recognized as the Electronic Media Student of the Year.
Bowerman interned with WOAI-TV and KABB FOX 29 in San Antonio.
Bella Popadiuk joined KENS 5 in San Antonio as a multi-skilled journalist in June 2026.
Before arriving at KENS 5, Popadiuk spent two years at KXXV 25 News in Waco, where she worked as a multimedia journalist covering stories across Central Texas. From 2024 to 2026, she served as the station's Neighborhood Reporter for Waco, Bellmead, and Lacy Lakeview.
Popadiuk began building her broadcast career while attending the University of Miami. She worked as an associate producer at NBC 6 WTVJ South Florida from 2022 to 2023 after starting as an intern. She also held several on-air and production roles with University of Miami Television, including anchor, NewsVision reporter, field producer, SportsDesk video producer, and SportsDesk crew member.
A self-described "Double 'Cane," Popadiuk earned both her bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and a Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Miami.
Originally from Bartlett, Illinois, Popadiuk's family relocated to San Antonio in 2021.
Gray Media, Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire six television stations from American Spirit Media, LLC in a $50 million deal that expands Gray’s station portfolio across several markets, including one in Texas.
Here in Texas, as part of the transaction, Gray will acquire NewsChannel 6 KAUZ in Wichita Falls (CBS DMA 159).
The acquisition also includes the following American Spirit Media stations:
* WUPW (FOX) — Toledo, Ohio (Market 81)
* WDBD (FOX) — Jackson, Mississippi (Market 100)
* WSFX-TV (FOX) — Wilmington, North Carolina (Market 125)
* WXTX (FOX) — Columbus, Georgia (Market 126)
* KVHP (FOX) — Lake Charles, Louisiana (Market 176)
Gray said the deal builds on long-standing relationships already in place with these stations. For more than a decade, Gray and its predecessor company, Raycom Media, have provided back-office services to five of the stations included in the acquisition and produced local news content for four of them through Gray-owned stations in those markets.
The companies have already completed the first of two planned closings. As part of that initial phase, Gray paid American Spirit $40 million and began operating the stations under a limited local management agreement.
Gray expects to complete the second and final phase of the transaction during the fourth quarter of this year, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Once the acquisition is finalized, the temporary local management agreement will end.
The company said it plans to fund the remaining portion of the purchase using cash on hand.
Emma Allen has announced she is leaving her role as Morning Live Desk Anchor at News 4 San Antonio WOAI and FOX SA KABB to return to KATV 7 in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she will begin a new chapter as a meteorologist.
Here is a portion of what Allen posted on social:
"If you had told me a few years ago that I'd leave Arkansas to chase my dream, learn from an amazing newsroom in Texas, and then return home to forecast the weather for the state that raised me, I don't know if I would've believed you. But here we are.
This move is bittersweet because San Antonio became so much more than just a place I worked. It became home.
To my News 4 and FOX SA family- thank you. You welcomed me from day one and gave me friendships I'll carry with me forever. I honestly don't think I've ever laughed as much as I have with all of you. You made the early mornings something to look forward to, turned coworkers into lifelong friends, and made a city hundreds of miles from home feel like home."
Allen joined the San Antonio duopoly in July 2025 as the Morning Live Desk Anchor. She succeeded Ashley Sutton, who moved into the FOX SA morning anchor position.
Her return to Arkansas marks a homecoming of sorts. Before moving to San Antonio, Allen worked at Sinclair sister station KATV 7 in Little Rock, serving as a reporter and weekend producer beginning in August 2022.
A Helena, Arkansas native, Allen discovered her interest in broadcasting while still in high school, working at KJIW 94.5 FM. She later attended Arkansas State University, completing her degree in just three years while also interning at KATV.
During college, Allen earned recognition from the Arkansas College Media Association in 2022 and was also named Miss Congeniality at the Miss Arkansas State University Scholarship Pageant.
Allen has continued developing her weather expertise and is currently pursuing a degree in broadcast meteorology through Mississippi State University as she transitions into her new role forecasting at KATV.
Former FOX 26 Houston KRIV sports director Will Kunkel has announced his next career move, signing a freelance contract as a fill-in host for ESPN Radio while continuing his search for a full-time opportunity.
“I have finally signed a freelance contract,” Kunkel announced on social media. “I am going back to ESPN for fill-in work on ESPN Radio.”
Now, Kunkel says he is returning to where his media career began.
While emphasizing that the position is not full-time, Kunkel described it as an opportunity he is eager to begin later this month.
“It’s not a full-time job, but like an amazing opportunity that I can’t wait to start at the end of the month,” he said.
The move marks a return to familiar territory for Kunkel, who began his career behind the scenes at ESPN as a production assistant working on "Mike and Mike in the Morning" before transitioning to an on-camera role that has now spanned more than 15 years.
Kunkel revealed the news in a video posted on X, opening up about the challenges he has faced since his FOX 26 KRIV position was eliminated in June 2025 as part of the station's budget cuts.
“It’s been very frustrating. It’s been confusing at times,” Kunkel said. “I had no idea that a video like this was going to be something I would ever do. I never thought it would take so long either.”
Kunkel said the past year has been difficult professionally, especially because of how much he enjoys being on air and working in television. At the same time, his family experienced a major personal milestone.
“It’s been a very tough year because I love working,” Kunkel said. “I also love being a father. And I became a father during that time. My daughter is now ten months old.”
He credited his wife for carrying the family during the transition.
“She is a nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital," Kunkel said. "Being the hero that she is to other people and to our family.”
He also launched the station’s video podcast, "Kickin’ it with Kunkel," and continued building his presence outside traditional broadcasting through his own podcast.
Before arriving in Houston, Kunkel served as sports director at FOX 46 Charlotte WJZY in North Carolina. His previous stops included KWCH 12 in Wichita, Kansas; NBC 24 WNWO in Toledo, Ohio; and KVRR in Fargo, North Dakota.
Kunkel earned a Master of Science in Journalism and Broadcasting from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from St. Lawrence University.
Throughout his announcement, Kunkel said faith played a central role in helping his family navigate the uncertainty of the past year.
“And so many people know that I have such a strong faith, and my wife's and I faith during this time has actually grown that much stronger,” Kunkel said. “We have gotten into the word even more, and we know that the Lord is going to open the right door at the right time, at the right place.”
He closed by thanking supporters who followed his work and encouraged him throughout the process.
‼️I finally have a LIFE UPDATE for you after I was laid off more than a year ago.
It’s been a very tough year without full time work.
Samantha Davies is leaving her position as a meteorologist with the NBC 5 KXAS Dallas-Fort Worth weather team after more than 17 years with the station and nearly two decades with NBCUniversal.
Here is what Davies posted:
"This week wraps up my almost 20 years at NBC.
I’m so thankful for my managers and teammates for supporting me over the years. It’s been a journey and am so honored NBC was my home for so long. Thank you to my family for the constant support- the hours were not easy, but you made it possible!
This isn’t goodbye, just the end of this chapter."
She added, "As a working mom, I look forward to enjoying a little more sleep in my next chapter."
Davies joined the NBC 5 team in February 2009, covering traffic on NBC 5 Today weekday mornings and delivering forecasts for NBC 5 News at 11 a.m.
Before moving to Dallas-Fort Worth, Davies, already part of the NBC family, worked as a meteorologist for NBC Weather Plus and MSNBC, providing national forecasts and appearing across NBC platforms, including Nightly News, The Today Show, Early Today, and CNBC. She also served as the morning meteorologist for Squawk Australia on CNBC World, delivering international weather coverage.
Her broadcasting career also included stops at WSIL News 3 in the Cape Girardeau–Paducah–Harrisburg market and at WKAG in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where she worked as chief meteorologist.
Originally from Rochester, New York, Davies has said her fascination with weather began growing up around lake-effect snow and later deepened after experiencing the evacuation and aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in Florida in 1992.
Davies earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from the State University of New York College at Oneonta in 2004 and received her AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation in 2007.
Hunter King announced he is joining KSAT 12 San Antonio as a reporter in June of 2026.
Here is what King posted:
"Big news… San Antonio is my new home! I’m starting as a reporter at KSAT12 soon and I couldn’t be more excited.
Those of you who know me know I love being back in Texas, and even though the past two years have taught me a lot, I can’t wait for this new adventure in the Alamo City.
This is going to be a great chapter."
King arrives in South Texas after spending the previous two years at 13WMAZ in Macon, Georgia, where he worked as a multimedia journalist and reporter beginning in June 2024.
Before moving to Georgia, King gained experience in Texas media through multiple roles while attending Sam Houston State University. He worked as a radio personality at 90.5 KSHU in Huntsville from September 2022 to June 2024 and completed a reporting internship at KPRC in Houston during the summer of 2023.
King graduated from Sam Houston State University in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism.
