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Runaway Radio

Friday, August 14, 2026

Jay Wallis left WFAA 8 for TEGNA corporate


Jay Wallis left WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth after more than six years in 2025 and was promoted to lead producer of Growth for TEGNA in April 2026.

"It’s a creative and collaborative opportunity to help lead a new corporate team focused on developing original digital content, supporting major coverage across the country, and finding new ways to grow audiences," Wallis posted.

Wallis most recently served as executive producer, digital video coordinator and multimedia journalist at WFAA from July 2023 to September 2025. In that role, he led the station's digital video initiatives, launched original programming for WFAA+, and was named WFAA's Innovator of the Year in 2024 for his work on digital transformation and audience growth. He also worked as a multimedia journalist, reporting on sports and general assignment stories, earning multiple honors from the National Press Photographers Association and a 2020 Lone Star Emmy nomination.

Following his time at WFAA, Wallis joined TEGNA's Growth team in September 2025 as a growth producer, developing platform-native content and audience growth strategies across the company's stations. He was promoted to lead producer, growth, in April 2026, where he oversees the creative development of original digital video franchises, long-form streaming content, and cross-platform storytelling initiatives across TEGNA's nationwide portfolio.

Before joining WFAA, Wallis spent three years as a multimedia journalist at KVUE in Austin, where he earned three consecutive Lone Star Emmy nominations and launched a podcast explaining the news production process.

Earlier in his career, Wallis worked as bureau chief at KYTX CBS19 in Tyler-Longview, where he anchored and produced the Sunday newscast while covering major news stories across East Texas. He also served as an editorial assistant for SLAM magazine, contributing to SLAMonline.com, SLAM Magazine, and SLAM Radio.

Wallis began his broadcasting career at KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri, where he worked as a sports anchor, reporter, producer, and news reporter while attending the University of Missouri. During college, he also interned with Mizzou Athletics, the Frisco RoughRiders, and KBIA 91.3 FM.

He graduated from the University of Missouri in 2015 with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in Radio and Television News.



Jayden Ramkissoon joins KFDA NewsChannel 10 as meteorologist


Jayden Ramkissoon joined KFDA NewsChannel 10 in Amarillo as a morning and News at Noon meteorologist on Wednesday through Friday in February 2026.

The Sugar Land native is forecasting the weather for viewers in the Texas Panhandle after graduating from Texas A&M University in December 2025 with a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology.

While at Texas A&M, Ramkissoon was actively involved in several student weather organizations and broadcasts. He served as a broadcaster for TAMU Weather Radio, a producer for TAMU Weather TV, and later as a team lead for the student-run weather program. He was also a member of the Texas A&M Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (TAMSCAMS), gaining hands-on experience in forecasting and broadcasting throughout his college career.





Thursday, August 13, 2026

Texas TV news and radio job moves June 2026


 

MAKING UP FOR WHEN I WAS ON BLOGGING BREAK!

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

2026 Edward R. Murrow Award Texas winners


DALLAS - FORT WORTH

People Won’t Stop Screaming at FOX 4’s Tisia Muzinga.

Dallas Observer Editor-in-Chief Patrick Williams retires.

Former NBC 5 Today KXAS Dallas-Fort Worth weekend morning anchor/reporter Evan Anderson began a new chapter as Senior Executive Director of Communications for Fort Worth ISD.

Latonya Yarbro moves to WFAA 8 as the morning executive producer from nightside EP for KMOV St. Louis.

Dallas Business Journal publisher doubles down with Fort Worth digital-only spinoff.

FOX 4 KDFW new studio update June 2026
Jeff Ray Signs Off at CBS News Texas
Samantha Davies leaves NBC 5 KXAS DFW


HOUSTON

“Runaway Radio” wins three 47th Annual Telly Awards.

“Runaway Radio” scores major wins at the 32nd Annual Communicator Awards.

Chief of Communications / Senior Advisor to the Mayor's Office, Mary Benton, honored with the 2026 PRSA Houston Legacy Award.

How two former Houston broadcasters found love — and became examples for others.

Within three months of launch, Spanish Broadcasting System’s La Ley 92.1 (KROI) had climbed to number four in Houston’s overall market and claimed the number one spot among Hispanic listeners in both morning and afternoon drive.

The story behind the Houston Chronicle’s 125-year run.

Reporter Claire Hao leaves the Houston Chronicle.

OutSmart magazine has been named a recipient of a 2026 Excellence in Journalism Award from NLGJA.

Stephania Jimenez says ENOUGH with the 10pm news
Jason Nguyen named KPRC 2 Early Evening Executive Reporter
Olivia Dance joins FOX 26 Houston
KPRC 2 to bring back a morning traffic anchor
Brheanna Berry returns to Houston at KHOU 11
Gage Goulding leaves KPRC 2 Houston
Robert Arnold leaves KPRC 2 Houston
Double J’s Morning Show moves to Houston Tejano Hits app
Brittany Begley gets national coverage for TV industry criticisms
Brittany Begley no longer with KPRC 2 Houston
Jeff Ehling to retire from ABC13 KTRK Houston after 26 years
KPRC 2 Houston experiences layoffs in June 2026
Trason Bragg promoted to KHOU 11 Houston noon anchor
Sherman Desselle leaves FOX 26 Houston
iHeartMedia layoffs in Houston and Texas in June 2026


SAN ANTONIO

Bayliss Wagner joins the New York Times as a national politics fellow from the San Antonio Express-News.

KENS 5 bids farewell to photojournalist Irisa Wheeler.


AUSTIN

The University of Texas at Austin fired KUT Public Media General Manager Debbie Hiott and appointed Gerald Johnson as interim general manager the next day.

‘Texas Monthly Presents: The Story’ Turns Statewide Acclaim Into National Public Television Expansion.

Texas Monthly Takes Home Medals From the 61st Annual Society of Publication Designers Competition.

Norsan Media expands its holdings in Austin with the purchase of Rhythmic Throwbacks “Vibe 93.3” KGSR Cedar Park for $3.5 million.

Where is Scott Fisher?
Sydney Gray joins KXAN Austin
Laura Sather named KVUE Austin assistant news director
Allison Hill joins KVUE Austin
Fmr. Austin reporter apologizes after 'effort to have a little fun with World Cup competition'
Kelsey Sanchez leaves KVUE Austin
Jessica Rivera leaves FOX 7 Austin


AROUND TEXAS

Baylor football has finalized its 2026 radio broadcast crew, adding Geff Gandy and Bryson Jackson to the Baylor Sports Media Network, joining legendary Voice of the Bears, John Morris, on the call throughout the season.

Angel San Juan with KFDM/Fox Southeast Texas wins the 2026 Jack Pieper Legends Award at the Press Club of Southeast Texas banquet.

Max Zepeda joins ABC7 KVIA as a News/Sports Multimedia Journalist.

Joe Cerda, better known as JoJo to KTEX country music fans, is sharing his health battle publicly, hoping to push more people toward organ donation.

Grabiel Silva joins NewsWest 9 KWES Midland-Odessa as a Multiskilled Journalist (MMJ).

Jordan Benavides joins KRIS 6 Corpus Christi as a reporter for Kleberg, Brooks, and Kenedy counties.

3NEWS' Leslie Adami named best TV news personality in The Bend Magazine Local’s List.

Neighborhood multimedia reporter Melissa TreviƱo left KRIS 6 News.

Multi-skilled Journalist Blake Neubauer joined the CBS19 KYTX Tyler team.



Corbin Voges leaves KVII Amarillo
Madison Hartin joins KIII 3 News Corpus Christi
Katalina Bell leaves KTAB Abilene
Christine Gormley joins FOX 23 KOKI and KTUL ABC 8 Tulsa
Greg Kerr retires from NewsChannel 10 KFDA Amarillo
Ron Rosseau retires from KTAB Abilene




Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Texas TV news and radio job moves May 2026


 

MAKING UP FOR WHEN I WAS ON BLOGGING BREAK!

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.


DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Radio One To Acquire KKDA/KRNB Dallas; Sells KZMJ To Fuzion Dallas.

Javier David departed The Dallas Morning News, where he served as business editor since December 2024.

Encouragement Media Group (EMG) announced it will launch its Spanish Christian format, Fuzión, on 94.5 KZMJ.

Robyn Key joins WFAA 8 as a news producer.


HOUSTON

FOX 26 KRIV Morning Executive Producer Jonathan Chastain retires.

Dayna Hayman joins FOX 26 Houston team as Morning News Executive Producer from FOX 7 Austin.

Sonya Villamagna Hamilton becomes VP of Sales at iHeartMedia within the Team Accelerate program from KHOU 11.

Chris Shepherd's TV show Eat Like a Local ends its run after 3 years.

KHOU 11 Great Day Houston reporter and NLGJA leader Carlos Hernandez champions representation and collaboration.

Producer Frank Espinoza returns to ABC13 KTRK after working at KPRC 2 for decades.

Houston Chronicle ends Dwight Silverman's personal technology column.

KTSU 90.9 FM Breaks into Top 20 in Houston-Galveston Radio Market.



SAN ANTONIO

Longtime San Antonio TV host Tanji Patton wraps up popular food show.

After a health scare, every day’s a best day ever for KENS 5 anchor Sarah Forgany.

News 4 San Antonio meteorologist Joe DeCarlo welcomes baby girl.

Texas Public Radio to merge operations with nonprofit San Antonio Report.


AUSTIN

Texas Monthly senior editor Aaron Parsley published his survival story in "Where the River Took Us" and has won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing.

KXAN explores ‘everything’ it has to offer viewers in promo series.

  


AROUND TEXAS

Rusty Surette named sole winner of 2026 Jason Hightower Award.

Ward Huey, vice president and general manager of KETK/FOX51/KTPN, Nexstar Media Group’s Tyler-Longview stations, has been named the 2026 Television Broadcaster of the Year by the Texas Association of Broadcasters.

Reporter Lidia Herrera leaves KIII 3 News.

 99.9 KLUR Wichita Falls midday host ‘Big Jim’ Russell has moved to mornings following the retirement of Brad Austin on May 15.  


REMEMBERING

Benjamin Bernheart Amato, 94, who built KSTAR Country KVST from the ground up, passed away.




Caroline Brown gives birth to baby #2

Caroline Brown

Monday, August 10, 2026

Texas TV news and radio job moves April 2026


 

MAKING UP FOR WHEN I WAS ON BLOGGING BREAK!

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.



DALLAS - FORT WORTH

WFAA 8’s Cynthia Izaguirre has been shaped by “Wednesday’s Child,” her first-grade teacher — and one small, strange slip-up about a mountain climber whose viral clip made her the queen of bloopers.

Hannah Lane left New South Radio "US 96.3" WUSJ Jackson, MS, for Cumulus Media "New Country 96.3" KSCS Dallas, to host nights.

iHeartMedia announced Vince Richards as the new Program Director of 97.1 The Eagle and Lone Star 92.5.

Salem Media turned in the license of 620 KTNO Plano/Dallas.


HOUSTON

Houston Chronicle named Newsroom of the Year by Texas Managing Editors.

Tom Abrahams named 2026 Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award recipient by Crime Stoppers of Houston.

93Q Country in Houston has parted ways with midday host Gerardo Sproet.

Farewell from the Fort Bend Star.

Caroline Ghisolfi named Houston Chronicle data editor.

KHCB Media announced Ivette Zamora as Director of Community Engagement.

A new program at Rice University is giving students a front-row seat to the stories shaping Houston and putting them behind a microphone to tell them. The Houston Newsroom, launched this spring through Rice’s Program in Media Studies, is an audio-first reporting course designed to mirror the rhythms and expectations of a professional newsroom. 



SAN ANTONIO

KENS5 sports reporter Vinnie Vinzetta shared his experience surviving childhood abuse.

Cox Media Group has appointed Jay Shannon as Operations Manager for its San Antonio cluster starting May 4.


AUSTIN

JB Hager and Sandy McIlree have reunited for "The JB And Sandy Morning Show" on iHeartMedia's KVET 98.1.

Austin Business Journal assistant managing editor Bob Sechler has retired.

Ethan Love joins KXAN Austin as a digital content producer from KCEN 6 Waco-Temple-Killeen.



AROUND TEXAS

KBTX General Manager Lori Bruffett retired after nearly 40 years at the station, leaving behind a legacy of community service, excellence and leadership.

After two years in East Texas, reporter  Auyana Aird sayid farewell to CBS19 KYTX Tyler.

Richard "Heatwave" Berler, chief meteorologist at KGNS in Laredo, was presented a key to the city for his four decades of service.

Townsquare Media silenced Talk 103.9 in Lubbock, ending the station's run more than seven years after flipping the format.

Jim Bob Breazeale, who served as the news director for KRIS 6 News in Corpus Christi since 2021, has left the E.W. Scripps Company-owned television station.

KSTA-AM Radio, long known as “The Voice of Coleman County,” signed off the air April 30, bringing an end to decades of local broadcasting.

Mariah Williams joined 25 News in February of 2026.

Landon joined 15 ABC as a Sports/Neighborhood Reporter for the Brazos Valley in February 2026.


REMEMBERING

Glenn Eric Jones, Sr. departed this life and transitioned to eternal rest on April 17, 2026, in Houston, Texas. He was a former ABC13 KTRK Houston executive producer.

Longtime meteorologist Dan Robertson, a veteran of more than three decades in TV news, died April 1. His Spectrum News colleague John Salazar shared the news in a Facebook post.

Longtime radio host Chad Hasty dies; friends, state leaders share memories.






Friday, August 07, 2026

Matt Farrell leaves KCEN Waco


Matt Farrell left 6 News KCEN in Waco-Temple-Killeen in February 2026 after serving as the station's chief meteorologist.

Farrell was named chief meteorologist in 2023, succeeding Andy Andersen.

Before returning to television in Central Texas, Farrell took a break from broadcasting to teach mathematics in the Frisco Independent School District. Prior to that, he worked as a content editor at TEGNA sister station WFAA 8 in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Farrell began his television career as the morning meteorologist at Big 2 News KMID in Midland-Odessa before transitioning into teaching positions with the Rowlett and Royse City school districts.

He is a graduate of the University of North Texas and Mississippi State University and also studied at the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology.



Jensen Young joins WGXA Macon


Jensen Young has joined the WGXA News Fox 24 and ABC 16 team in Macon, Georgia, as an evening news anchor after spending the past three years at First Alert 7 KOSA in Odessa, Texas.

Young made the move in July 2026 after serving in several roles at the Gray Media station. He joined KOSA in June 2023 as a multimedia journalist before transitioning to weekend sports anchor and sports reporter in February 2024. In August 2025, he was promoted to sports director, a position he held for two years before switching back to news as WGXA's evening anchor.

Originally from Florida, Young earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida in May 2023. 




Thursday, August 06, 2026

Daniella Guzman's message to KPRC 2 viewers upon her return

Daniella Guzman


Daniella Guzman returned to the KPRC 2 Houston morning newscast this morning with an apology to viewers.

After the newscast, Guzman sent me this message to her viewers:


“To my viewers, friends, and community:

Over the past several days, many of you have reached out to me with questions, concern, and encouragement. I have read your messages, and I am deeply grateful for your kindness and support.

Recently, I accepted tickets to two events from a longtime personal friend. Because I believed they were personal gifts, I did not disclose them as required under station policies. That was my responsibility, and I should have handled it differently… and for that I was wrong and I am truly sorry.

KPRC 2 conducted a thorough review, and I fully cooperated throughout the process. That review found no ethical violations or conflicts or interest. I respect the station’s commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards, and I accept responsibility for my unintentional mistake. I have donated the cash value of the tickets to a local non-profit organization that will impact Houstonians in need directly.

I’ve been a journalist for more than 20 years and I have tried to serve the communities and viewers with honesty, fairness, and integrity. Those values remain at the heart of who I am, both personally and professionally. While this experience has been difficult, it has also been an important reminder that even honest mistakes can have serious consequences.

I am thankful for the opportunity to return to work and continue doing what I love, serving the Houston community through journalism.

Your trust means everything to me, and I will continue working every day to earn it.”


Guzman was placed on leave while the station conducted an internal review into tickets she accepted for a concert and FIFA World Cup matches. Although the review found no evidence that the tickets influenced or were connected to her journalism or news coverage, Guzman acknowledged that accepting them could create the appearance of a conflict of interest.

To address those concerns and eliminate any perception of a conflict, she made a charitable donation equal to the cash value of the tickets.



Wednesday, August 05, 2026

CBS Austin to change morning news, two anchor positions eliminated


CBS Austin KEYE is revamping its morning newscast, the station tells mikemcguff.com, and with that change, I have learned, come job cuts for anchor John-Carlos Estrada and traffic anchor Jenna Wilson.

"Beginning September 14, CBS Austin will debut a refreshed format for 'CBS Austin This Morning,' designed to better serve our audience while continuing to deliver the local journalism and community coverage our viewers expect," a CBS Austin representative told mikemcguff.com.  "As part of that transition, the station has made the difficult decision to eliminate two positions. We are grateful to the talented employees whose positions were impacted and thank them for their contributions to the newscast."

A source tells me that the recent departure of reporter Farrah Walton is unrelated to the morning newscast changes.

At the same time, the station has made recent summer 2026 hirings while I was on my blogging break, including multimedia journalist Audrey Wong and Live Desk Reporter Alexia Stanbridge.


John-Carlos Estrada

Estrada is leaving CBS Austin after seven years as the station's weekday morning anchor.

He joined CBS Austin in August 2019 to anchor CBS Austin This Morning, airing weekdays from 4:30 to 7 a.m. During his tenure, he also created and produced the weekly Central Texas history segment Turning Back Time, while earning honors from the GLAAD Media Awards, Telly Awards, Texas Association of Broadcasters, Texas Associated Press, and other journalism organizations.

Before arriving in Austin, Estrada anchored and reported at WINK-TV in Fort Myers, Florida, where he covered Hurricane Irma, major wildfires, and other breaking news. Earlier stops in his career included serving as lead anchor and managing editor at KTRE in Lufkin, Texas, news anchor at KAVU in Victoria, Texas, and producer roles with NBC News and ABC News in New York City and Washington, D.C.

In addition to his television career, Estrada is an award-winning filmmaker. He co-directed and produced the documentaries Barbette + Fontaine and This Is Texas, both of which received national recognition. He is also writing a biography of Texas entertainer Vander Barbette for the University of Texas Press, with publication expected in 2027.

A Dallas native who was raised in Garland, Estrada holds degrees from Columbia Journalism School and The George Washington University. He is also active in the Austin community, serving on nonprofit boards and mentoring students interested in journalism.


Jenna Wilson

Wilson joined the CBS Austin KEYE team in August 2025 as the station's morning traffic anchor.

She arrived in Austin from Fox 26 KNPN in St. Joseph, Missouri, where she spent more than three years as a multimedia journalist before being promoted to Friday evening anchor. During her time at KNPN, she earned 2025 Missouri Broadcast Awards for her reporting on the city's most dangerous intersections and its growing homeless population.

A graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism.


Farrah Walton

Walton joined the CBS Austin KEYE news team as a reporter in May 2024.

Before moving to Austin, Walton spent nearly three years at KTXS News in Abilene, where she joined the station in July 2021 as a weekend anchor and reporter before being promoted to weeknight evening anchor. Her coverage of the tornado that devastated the West Texas town of Matador earned a nomination in the General Assignment category at the 2023 Texas Broadcast News Awards.

A Pasadena, California native, Walton is a graduate of San Francisco State University.