Melanie Lawson, Khambrel Marshall and Grace Olivares Named 2026 Lone Star EMMY Silver Circle Inductees
Three familiar faces in Houston television are the 2026 Silver Circle inductees announced by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).
Former ABC13 KTRK Houston anchor Melanie Lawson, former KPRC 2 Houston meteorologist and host Khambrel Marshall, and Univision 45 Houston KXLN community empowerment director and host Grace Olivares will be honored for their contributions to the television industry.
Lawson signed off from ABC13 in January 2026 after an extraordinary 43-year career. The station celebrated the longtime anchor with a memorable sendoff, recognizing her decades of journalism and service to the Houston community.
Marshall retired from KPRC 2 in December 2023 after 24 years at the station. In addition to serving as a weekend morning meteorologist, Marshall hosted and produced Houston Newsmakers and led KPRC 2's internship program, helping introduce aspiring journalists to the television news business.
Olivares has spent more than three decades with Univision 45 Houston KXLN, where she serves as director of community empowerment. Since joining the station in April 1993, she has worked to connect the Spanish-language television station with the Houston community.
In past years, Silver Circle Honorees include Deborah Ferguson, Carolyn Mungo, Raul Peimbert, David Strickland, Don Kobos, Martha Kattan and Deborah Knapp.
According to the Lone Star Chapter's website, the Silver Circle recognizes media professionals who began their television careers at least 25 years ago and have made significant contributions to the chapter's television industry. Eligible professionals may work in performing, creative, technical or administrative roles, as well as related fields such as journalism education, advertising, promotion and public relations.
The Lone Star Chapter of NATAS has recognized Silver Circle members since 2003.
The 2026 Lone Star EMMY Awards will take place Saturday, November 14, at 713 Music Hall in Houston. The sold-out event will celebrate excellence in television and honor industry professionals whose careers have made a lasting impact on the Lone Star State.
Nikiya Carrero joined WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth as a reporter in October 2026.
Carrero announced the move in an Instagram post, writing, “Career Update...I have joined the news team at WFAA in Dallas as a reporter! Super ecstatic to join such a legendary station and continue my career as a journalist”
The Emmy-nominated journalist joins the North Texas TEGNA ABC affiliate after working with the CBS News Miami team at WFOR.
Carrero grew up in Miami Beach and earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting and Emerging Media from Barry University in 2019.
Following graduation, Carrero headed to Bismarck, North Dakota, to pursue her dream of working in television news. She joined KX News in October 2019 as a multimedia journalist.
In October 2021, Carrero moved to Savannah, Georgia, where she joined WJCL 22, the market’s ABC affiliate, as a reporter.
Mireya Villarreal has left ABC News and television news, transitioning to a communications role at Lockheed Martin after more than a decade as a national network correspondent.
Villarreal recently shared a career update on social media, reflecting on her next chapter and the skills she developed as a journalist.
“New chapter. New team. Same storyteller.
Another year around the sun got me thinking - I’ve spent a career chasing stories. And I finally figured out, those skills translate and can go wherever you do. Patience and confidence are key.
Here’s to taking chances, trusting the plot twists, and finding new ways to do what you’ve always loved. Mission. Purpose. Passion. And knowing my 'why'.
The story continues.”
Villarreal's move into corporate communications follows her departure from ABC News in January 2026. She joined Lockheed Martin in February 2026 as a senior staff member in external communications for the F-35. She also founded Mira Ella Media, LLC, in January 2026.
Villarreal joined ABC News in 2021 as a Dallas-Fort Worth-based national correspondent. Her reporting appeared across the network's major programs, including World News Tonight with David Muir, Good Morning America, Nightline and ABC News Live Prime.
One of her most significant assignments came in May 2022, when she was the first network correspondent on the ground and on air following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers. Villarreal and her team spent the initial week covering the tragedy and returned to the community repeatedly as part of ABC News' Uvalde 365 initiative.
During her time at ABC News, Villarreal also contributed to award-winning journalism. She was part of the team that received a 2024 duPont-Columbia Award for The Power of Water, a special examining the effects of climate change and the importance of water. In 2023, she received the National Association of Hispanic Journalists' Ñ Award for her work on THC: The Human Cost, an investigative special about human trafficking connected to illegal marijuana farms in the Pacific Northwest.
Her other honors include three Lone Star Emmy Awards, multiple Associated Press awards and participation in a CBS News team that won a 2020 Edward R. Murrow Award for its coverage of the U.S.-Mexico border. She also contributed to Pandemia, a special examining COVID-19's impact on Latino communities that received NAHJ's 2021 Al Neuharth Award for Investigative Journalism.
Before joining ABC News, Villarreal spent more than six years as a national correspondent for CBS News, from 2015 to 2021. She covered stories across the country for programs including CBS Evening News, CBS This Morning and CBSN.
Villarreal previously worked as an investigative reporter for CBS 11 KTVT in Dallas-Fort Worth and WOAI-TV in San Antonio.
Before San Antonio, Villarreal reported for KRGV 5 Rio Grande Valley.
She began her broadcasting career in South Texas, eventually becoming the first woman to serve as a sports anchor at KGNS in Laredo.
A graduate of the University of Texas-Pan American, Villarreal earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing.
Abbi Bennett joins CBS Austin KEYE as a sports anchor and reporter in October 2026.
Bennett announced the move on Instagram:
“Texas, don’t worry I’m staying home!!!!
I’m SO excited to share that I will be joining the @cbsaustin team as a Sports Anchor & Reporter.
Dallas, you’ve been so good to me this last year! Getting to work in my hometown at a station I grew up watching is something I’ll always be grateful for. This chapter has brought some incredible people, opportunities, and memories, making it a tough one to close. But as one door closes, another one opens and I’m excited for what’s ahead!
P.S. [Bob Ballou] can I still call it OU/Texas?”
Bennett's arrival at KEYE follows Darby Brown's departure, who left the Austin CBS affiliate in September 2026 after two years as a sports anchor and reporter.
She joins CBS Austin after most recently working as a freelance sports anchor and reporter for NBC 5 KXAS Dallas-Fort Worth from November 2025 through September 2026. The Dallas native previously spent three years at FOX21 News in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she anchored sports coverage and reported on teams and events throughout the Colorado Springs and Denver areas.
During her first two years at FOX21, Bennett was named Best Sportscaster by the Colorado Broadcasters Association in back-to-back years. She also served as sports director for part of her time at the station.
A graduate of the University of Oklahoma's Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Bennett earned a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism in 2022, with a minor in sports management. While at OU, she participated in student-produced programs including OU Nightly, Sooner Sports Pad and Gameday U. She also served as president and vice president of the Association for Women in Sports Media.
Although she grew up in a family of University of Texas fans, Bennett chose Oklahoma for college and developed a strong connection to the Sooners. Her Instagram reference to the OU-Texas rivalry nods to that background.
Elizabeth Dinh is leaving KOIN 6 Portland, Oregon, and stepping away from television news after 23 years in the broadcasting industry. The longtime anchor announced on air that she and her husband, Kevin, are relocating to Houston for new personal and professional opportunities.
Dinh's final broadcast on KOIN 6 will be Friday, October 30, 2026, at 6 p.m.
During her departure announcement, she told viewers she was preparing to close an incredible chapter at KOIN and end her 23-year broadcast news career.
Dinh explained that the move to Texas would bring her and her husband closer to their families and loved ones. Although leaving Portland is bittersweet, she said she is looking forward to new adventures in both her personal and professional life.
Born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Dinh said her parents and in-laws still live there, making the opportunity to return to Texas especially meaningful.
While Dinh might not have an interest in TV news at the moment, over the years I have seen situations like this where a TV newser moves to a new city with no work plans, but then six months later, or even faster, is back at the anchor desk at a new station.
Could Dinh be back on the air in Houston TV news in the next year? Stay tuned.
As you know, TV news personnel changes happen faster around here than motorcycles racing down 610! Get your motors running...
Dinh has spent the past decade in Portland, first joining KPTV FOX 12 in February 2016 as an evening anchor. After four years at FOX 12, she moved to KOIN 6 in September 2020, where she anchored the station's 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts.
In addition to her anchoring duties, Dinh became known for her weekly Northwest Grown reports, highlighting the region's food, farms, restaurants, chefs and other local businesses.
Dinh might already be familiar to Texas TV viewers.
Before moving to Oregon, Dinh spent more than three years at KTVT CBS 11 in Dallas-Fort Worth as an anchor and reporter from November 2012 to February 2016.
Her broadcasting career also took her to Seattle, where she worked at KOMO-TV, and Tampa, Florida, where she reported and anchored for WFTS-TV.
She began her career in the Texas Panhandle at KAMR NBC 4/KCIT FOX 14 in Amarillo, working as a weekend anchor and evening reporter.
Dinh earned a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2003.
Samanta Rodríguez has joined Noticiero Telemundo Las Vegas KBLR, making her debut Monday, October 26, 2026.
Rodríguez joins Telemundo Las Vegas from Telemundo 39 Dallas-Fort Worth KXTX, where she spent more than five years delivering weather forecasts and covering weather events impacting North Texas communities. She joined the Dallas-Fort Worth station in 2021.
She holds a bachelor's degree in meteorology from the Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technologies in Cuba, where she graduated with honors. She later earned a master's degree in Earth Sciences, specializing in Atmospheric Sciences, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 2018, also graduating with honors.
Rodríguez is not the only new addition to the Telemundo Las Vegas newsroom. Multimedia journalist Ana Sofía is also joining the station from CoastTV News WRDE, an NBC affiliate, and Telemundo Delmarva in Delaware.
“Samanta and Ana Sofía bring valuable experience and a strong understanding of the communities they serve,” said Johali Carmona, news director of Telemundo Las Vegas. “From delivering critical weather information to reporting on issues that impact local families, both have demonstrated a commitment to keeping viewers informed and prepared and will further strengthen our ability to serve the Southern Nevada community.”
Adam Joseph has been named chief meteorologist at 6abc WPVI Philadelphia, succeeding Cecily Tynan, who retired in August 2026.
A 20-year veteran of Action News, Joseph most recently served as the station’s weekday senior meteorologist, delivering forecasts during the 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.
“Adam is a beloved figure in the region’s broadcasting community and a viewer favorite,” said John W. Morris, WPVI-TV general manager. “His enthusiasm and dedication to forecasting, authenticity and ability to clearly explain complex weather systems have made him a trusted voice across the region and a clear choice to step into this role.”
Joseph joined WPVI in 2005 as a weekend meteorologist before moving into weekday and primetime weather broadcasts. Over the years, he has become a familiar face to Philadelphia viewers, contributing to numerous station specials, including the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade and previews of the Philadelphia Flower Show and Auto Show. He has also made several guest appearances on ABC News’ Good Morning America.
His work has earned numerous accolades. Philadelphia Magazine named Joseph Philadelphia’s Best Meteorologist in 2009, and the Philadelphia Business Journal recognized him with a 40 Under 40 Award in 2011 for professional excellence and community involvement. He has also received multiple Best On-Air Meteorologist honors from Main Line Today.
Before joining Action News, Joseph served as chief meteorologist at WBOY in Clarksburg, West Virginia, before moving to WSAZ in the Charleston-Huntington market. During his time at WSAZ, he earned the American Meteorological Society’s Seal of Approval for Television and received several awards recognizing his excellence in meteorology.
Joseph earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lyndon State College.
Payton May is heading to WBZ CBS News Boston for a new reporting job after leaving FOX 4 KDFW Dallas-Fort Worth.
May announced her departure from FOX 4 in September 2026 during an emotional goodbye on the station's "Good Day" morning newscast, where she had worked as a morning reporter for two years.
She joined FOX 4 in September 2024 from FOX25 News KOKH in Oklahoma City. May spent three years at KOKH, serving as the station's Capitol reporter beginning in August 2021.
Before her time in Oklahoma, the Chicago native worked at Sinclair Broadcast Group sister station WPBN 7&4 News in Traverse City, Michigan, where she held roles as a reporter, anchor and producer.
May is a graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
While attending Syracuse, she gained experience through internships with NewsChannel 9 WSYR, the university-owned 88.3 WAER and E! News in Los Angeles.
I’m back & in Boston!
Tonight I made my on-air debut for @wbz. I’m honored to join this amazing team of journalists. A door opened up to continue pursuing my passion of political reporting & I can’t wait to dive into all the issues that matter to this community! https://t.co/utIpvIWUsd
FOX 26 Houston KRIV morning anchor DaLaun Dillard is leaving the station Friday, October 23, 2026, ending his three-year run.
Dillard announced his departure in an Instagram post, reflecting on his time in Houston and the connection he built with viewers. He later told the Houston Chronicle that "his departure was due to his contract not being renewed" and announced it during his last newscast.
“Some chapters are harder to close than others,” Dillard wrote. “This Friday will mark the end of my chapter at FOX 26.”
The television journalist also shared how much the city and its residents have meant to him during his time in Houston.
“Houston, I genuinely struggle to find the words to describe just how much I love this city. How much I love Y’ALL,” he wrote.
Dillard thanked viewers for embracing him both on and off the air, saying the community had welcomed him like family.
“Thank you for loving ALLLLLL of me. Thank you for adopting me as y’all’s son, nephew, brother, cousin, etc. Thank you for giving me the freedom to simply be… ME,” he wrote.
While Dillard did not announce his next career move, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities he has had and optimism about what comes next.
“As this chapter comes to a close, I’m grateful for every blessing it brought and excited for all that God is writing in the next chapter,” he wrote. “God’s hand has never stopped covering me, and for that, I’m thankful. His favor ain’t fair.”
He closed his message with a simple farewell to his Houston audience: “I love y’all. We’ll talk soon.”
DaLaun Dillard Joined FOX 26 in December 2023
Dillard joined FOX 26 in December 2023 as the successor to longtime Houston morning anchor Jose Griñan. He debuted on Houston's Morning Show on December 18, 2023.
He co-anchored the weekday morning newscast alongside Melissa Wilson from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and also anchored FOX 26's noon newscast.
When Dillard's hiring was announced, Aaron Fernandez-Wische, then vice president of content and distribution, praised his commitment to community journalism.
“DaLaun is committed to reporting on a community's challenges and triumphs,” Fernandez-Wische said. “He's personable, engaging and a great fit for 'Houston's Morning Show.' We're excited for Houstonians to welcome DaLaun as part of their busy morning routines.”
Dillard also expressed enthusiasm about joining the Houston community.
“I am honored for the opportunity to help Houstonians start their day,” he said at the time. “I am passionate about serving my local community so I cannot wait to get involved in this city that I already love, rich in culture, diversity, and delicious food.”
DaLaun Dillard's Broadcasting Career
Before moving to Houston, Dillard worked as a weekday evening anchor and reporter at WEWS News 5 in Cleveland, Ohio. During his time there, he won two Emmy Awards for his reporting and covered major stories across the state, including the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Before Cleveland, Dillard anchored and reported for KETV 7 in Omaha, Nebraska, and worked as a reporter and anchor at WMBD in Peoria, Illinois, a Nexstar-owned station.
His work also earned a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for team coverage of protests following the murder of George Floyd.
Originally from Battle Creek, Michigan, Dillard graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in communications and broadcast and cinematic arts.
Outside the newsroom, he is involved with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., The 100 Black Men of America and the National Association of Black Journalists. He has spoken about his passion for using journalism to highlight stories that uplift and impact the Black community.
Radio One Houston is making major programming and leadership changes at Majic 102.1 KMJQ and 97.9 The Box KBXX, including new management roles and a significant change to The Box's afternoon drive lineup.
The changes come as Urban One, the parent company of Radio One, expands its presence in the Dallas radio market through a $22 million agreement to acquire KKDA-FM K104 and KRNB-FM 105.7 from Service Broadcasting Group in May 2026.
“Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes our vision, our talent, and the way we think about radio!” said Doug Abernethy, Regional Vice President. “These changes reflect our commitment to delivering fresh, relevant, and engaging content that speaks to the unique spirit of the communities we serve while continuing to push our brands forward.” With experienced radio professionals stepping into expanded leadership roles and Bay Bay joining the afternoon lineup, Radio One Houston is positioning Majic 102.1 and 97.9 The Box for continued growth while strengthening its connection with listeners throughout the city.
Among the biggest changes in Houston, Yonni Rude, formerly program director of 97.9 The Box, has been promoted to operations manager for Radio One Houston and Dallas. He will oversee operations and programming strategy in both markets, working with local teams to develop talent and create programming that reflects each community.
At Majic 102.1, Houston radio personality and Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductee The Madd Hatta has been named program director while continuing to host the station's afternoon drive show.
India “Queen Indy Bee” Brewton will serve as assistant program director and music director for both Majic 102.1 in Houston and KRNB-FM in Dallas.
Meanwhile, DJ JQue, host of “Good Morning H-Town” on 97.9 The Box, has been named the station's new program director. Theo “Big Bink” Turner will serve as assistant program director and music director for The Box and KBFB-FM in Dallas.
Hollyhood Bay Bay Joins 97.9 The Box
One of the most significant programming changes is the arrival of Dallas radio personality Hollyhood Bay Bay, who is taking over weekday afternoon drive on 97.9 The Box.
Beginning Monday, October 19, 2026, “The Bay Bay Show” airs weekdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bay Bay is known for his work at K104 KKDA-FM in Dallas and his connections across the music, sports and entertainment industries.
His arrival marks a major change for The Box's afternoon audience, which had been listening to Houston radio personality G-Man during that time slot.
G-Man Parts Ways With 97.9 The Box After 25 Years
Robert "G-Man" Guerrero, who spent 25 years at 97.9 The Box, confirmed the station decided to let him go.
In an Instagram video addressing listeners, the Houston native reflected on his quarter-century at the hip-hop station and thanked the people who helped launch his career.
“We've parted ways after 25 years, and they've been the best 25 years of my life, professionally,” G-Man said. “I couldn't have done it without you.”
G-Man explained that leaving the station was not his choice, but said he holds no bitterness toward the company.
“It wasn't my choice, it was a business decision. It was a decision that they made that I cannot be mad at,” he said.
He also thanked The Madd Hatta and Robert Scorpio for giving him an opportunity 25 years ago.
G-Man began his radio career in Tejano radio shortly after graduating from high school. Born and raised in Houston, he developed a love for music early on and became a local DJ for parties while attending Pasadena and Milby high schools.
When the opportunity came to join The Box, he jumped at the chance to work in his hometown at one of the country's major hip-hop stations.
G-Man emphasized how meaningful it was to spend his entire 25-year run at The Box in Houston, hosting the same afternoon drive time slot.
“There’s only a few people that can say, that I think of, that I know of, to say that they worked in their hometown in a major city like Houston, at one of the biggest hip hop stations like The Box, and at the same time slot, the afternoon drive, for 25 years,” he said.
He described the experience as a dream come true and thanked listeners for making it possible.
“I appreciate y'all more than you absolutely know,” G-Man said.
After 25 years with limited time away from work, he plans to take a much-needed break before deciding what comes next.
G-Man also acknowledged his successor, telling listeners that Bay Bay is a “really cool dude” who will do great things at the station.
While his departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Houston radio, G-Man left the door open for the future.
“When they say it's not a goodbye, it's a see you later, and that's definitely true,” he said.
Why Are Radio One's Houston and Dallas Stations Changing?
The programming and leadership changes come amid a broader shift in Urban One's radio operations in Texas.
In May 2026, Urban One agreed to acquire Dallas stations K104 KKDA-FM and KRNB-FM 105.7 from Service Broadcasting Group for $22 million. As part of the transaction, Urban One is spinning off its existing Dallas station KZMJ, known as Magic 94.5, to Fuzion Dallas LLC.
The acquisition helps explain why some leadership responsibilities now span both Houston and Dallas, including the appointments involving Rude, Brewton and Turner.
