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.
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."
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.
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.
Jeff Ehling officially signed off and retired from ABC13 Houston KTRK on Friday, September 18, 2026, after 26 years with the station.
Channel 13 held an event that afternoon to honor and send him off.
Later that evening, Ehling had a smaller, more private party at the Cadillac Bar with mostly his morning show team and past colleagues.
This event was different from many Houston TV goodbye parties because it was quiet enough for people to share their own Ehling stories.
What did I say? Well, maybe that will make it into a podcast one day.
Other stories included Ehling's encounter with Diane Sawyer in a Kuwait hotel during a missile warning, and the time he ended up in the middle of a Houston police SWAT team scene for breaking news...and yes...he and his photographer Mario were really in the middle of it!
Payton May is leaving FOX 4 KDFW Dallas-Fort Worth, where she has spent the past two years as a “Good Day” morning reporter.
May announced her departure in September 2026 during an emotional goodbye segment on the morning newscast. While she did not reveal her next move on the air, she said she plans to share those details on social media.
Anchors Brandon Todd and Lauren Przybyl thanked May for her contributions and the energy she brought to the morning show.
"We just want to thank you for jumping head first into literally everything," Przybyl said. "Pretty much. I mean, pretty much everything. You've been tossed in the air. You've been you've jumped down to the ground. I mean, you've I skated. What have you not done in your, in your two years?"
May said one of her biggest takeaways from her time at FOX 4 was the sense of community surrounding “Good Day.”
“I think this is the first time I've experienced a station like a community that's really felt like a family,” May said. “Everyone and every single place that I've gone to, they're like, ‘Are, the Good Day folks really that close off air off screen?' And it's even more so than what anyone would imagine, I think. And it comes to everything the producers, the photographers, the directors, all of us together. And then of course, all of the viewers. I mean, couldn't be more thankful to just have everyone welcome me. Um, so many crazy moments too that I've just been welcomed into situations I didn't expect to be taking part in."
Todd also praised May's personality and kindness, saying viewers could see the same qualities on camera that the FOX 4 team experienced behind the scenes.
Przybyl highlighted May's ability to adapt to the unpredictable nature of live television, particularly during the early morning hours.
"This girl can pivot on a dime," Przybyl said, laughing. "I tell you, things aren't going her way. She gets down, she starts pivoting with the people. But that's part of life to live TV, especially early morning TV, where we're doing a lot of fun things too."
“I would set this 2 a.m. alarm for you guys and you guys only,” May said. “It was worth every 2 a.m. alarm for the family and the community that this place has brought me.”
During the goodbye, Przybyl also mentioned May's passion for baking and her elaborate cakes, a hobby she has shared on social media.
May clarified that, despite viewers wondering if she was opening a bakery, that is not her immediate plan.
“I am not opening up a bakery,” May said. “Although maybe long term, yes, that would be great down the line. But no, I'm not going into the bakery biz just yet.”
May joined FOX 4 in September 2024 as a “Good Day” reporter. She crossed the Red River to North Texas from FOX25 News KOKH in Oklahoma City, where she had served as a Capitol reporter since August 2021.
Before joining KOKH, the Chicago native worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer at Sinclair Broadcast Group sister station WPBN 7&4 News in Traverse City, Michigan.
May is a graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. During her time in college, she interned with NewsChannel 9 WSYR in Syracuse, the university-owned 88.3 WAER, and E! News in Los Angeles.
At FOX 4, May took over the “Good Day” reporter role previously held by Paige Ellenberger, who moved into an early-morning anchor position during the summer.
Don’t miss the opportunity to train up your news staff and interns on cutting-edge broadcast news practices presented by award-winning broadcast journalists on Oct. 17 in Round Rock!
TAB’s day-long Annual Newsroom Workshop is open to pros for $51 and to interns, students, and educators for $36. Rates increase by $10 on Oct. 8. Deadline: Oct. 14.
· Two different AI sessions – essentials for individual journalists and tools for general newsroom use
· FOI request basics and “tricks of the trade” presented by award-winning IRE member journalists AND a former head of the Texas Attorney General’s Open Records Division
· The crisis of audience trust / what newsrooms can do to rebuild it
· An MMJ masterclass with national Murrow, DuPont, and Peabody award winner Brendan Keefe
· Best practices for better stories on deadline
· Al Tompkins on techniques for getting memorable and compelling story interviews
· Mastering live shots and stand-ups
· RTDNA past president Kevin Benz on making good editorial choices at the speed of journalism
· Tools to sustain yourself and your mental well-being in today’s high-pressure newsroom
· Deconstructing national Edward R. Murrow award-winning stories produced by Texas journalists
· Practical guidance for covering the fallout from the upcoming general election
Laura Casillas has been promoted to multimedia journalist (MMJ) at Telemundo Colorado KDEN.
A two-time Emmy Award nominee for her production work, Casillas has more than five years of experience in the Denver market. Since July, Casillas has contributed to Noticias Telemundo Colorado in on-camera and production roles.
“Laura is a talented journalist who understands our community and brings valuable experience covering the stories that matter to viewers across Colorado,” said Emmanuel López-Capó, News Director of Telemundo Colorado. “Her knowledge of the Denver market, strong reporting skills and commitment to local journalism make her a natural fit for this expanded role.”
Throughout her career, Casillas has covered a wide range of stories, including crime, local government, and immigration. In 2024, the Colorado Broadcasters Association recognized her for her coverage of ViVe School, an educational initiative serving migrant children in Denver.
Before joining Telemundo Colorado, Casillas worked at Univision Denver, where she produced, reported, and anchored local newscasts.
She began her career in 2021 at 9NEWS KUSA Denver as a bilingual digital producer and host of Culture Report.
Known in the Houston journalism world as "The Bishop" on his well-followed X account, he announced last week that he is retiring after 42 years with the station:
"After 47 years in Houston news, 42 of those at my home away from home, KHOU, I'm retiring tomorrow. News is in my blood. I'll still be active on social media, but it's time for carefree highway. Here's to the sunny slopes of long ago and to the future."
His four decades of impact were celebrated Friday at a KHOU luncheon in his honor, attended by former KHOU 11 anchor Jerome Gray.
"Old school journalists from the 80s and 90s talked about Bill’s impact, as did current KHOU reporters who weren’t even born when we former KHOU reporters walked into the newsroom and benefited from Bill’s expertise," Gray told mikemcguff.com. "I think of Bill Bishop as a sports team manager/coach who was able to put all the pieces in place for a news team win. Viewers may appreciate the work of the on-air talent, but they should know Bill and others behind the scenes make the magic happen. I am having a hard time imagining the KHOU newsroom without Bill, given his contact lists and newsgathering expertise. Fortunately, there are plenty of newsroom staffers who have learned a lot from Bill."
"When it comes to his knowledge? Truly a walking encyclopedia of Houston history," KHOU 11 anchor Ron Treviño told mikemcguff.com. "And not just news. Sports! Oh, and movies! Godfather quotes endlessly. To my amusement and the bemusement of the younger staff members. We just shook our heads and laughed."
Hopefully, in Bishop's case, the TV industry won't pull him back in just when he thought he was out.
"Bill was the glue of KHOU's newsroom," former KHOU 11 anchor Brandi Smith told mikemcguff.com. "Not only did Bill grow up in Houston, he went to college at the University of Houston and he spent his entire professional career here. I find it hard to believe anyone knows Houston the way Bill knows Houston. He always had a finger on the pulse of the city. He worked under so many different news directors and so many different news 'philosophies,' but as long as I've known him (which is almost 10 years now), his goal was always the same: to serve the city he loves so much. This is a guy who has had Texans season tickets forever -- just because his team was down and out, he never gave up. And that philosophy carried into the newsroom too. And it wasn't just the newsroom employees who trusted Bill. Sources all over the city trusted him because he'd earned their respect over decades. It's tough to build up that kind of credibility in a community -- especially behind the scenes -- but Bill did that. With the turnover at stations today, I'm not sure anyone in this market will be able to replicate what he built."
It is no surprise Bishop knows Houston as well as his colleagues say he does. The UH grad started his professional journalism career with 740 KTRH Houston.
"I've known him since I used to have hair," former ABC13 KTRK investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino told me. "He is a solid guy, and knows the town. The actual number of journalists who actually know this town is getting pretty small."
Bishop and Dolcefino formed a tight group at KTRH in the early 80s with other longtime Houston TV journalists, including former KHOU 11 reporter Doug Miller and former ABC13 KTRK managing editor Chris Hanson.
Around 1984, Bishop moved from radio to television with KHOU. It was a reset for both Bishop and Channel 11 as the station was transitioning from Corinthian Broadcasting to its new owner, the A.H. Belo Corporation.
Turns out Bishop outlasted Belo, as the station is now owned by TEGNA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group.
Saturday night at the Kirby Ice House, former KHOU 11 reporter Courtney Zubowski Haas helped organize a party for Bishop, packed with KHOU employees past and present. The man of honor appeared to an adoring crowd with his wife, Denise Bishop, who also worked at 740 KTRH and eventually became a FOX 26 Houston KRIV news director.
"He was the nucleus of the newsroom, connecting people and information and keeping the whole operation moving," Hass told me. "When you needed to know something, you went to Bill. He didn’t just work in the newsroom; in many ways, he was the newsroom."
"He's the context we all needed. The Astros record — Bill knew it," former KHOU 11 reporter Melissa Correa told mikemcguff.com. "The history of Sunnyside, Bill had a story for you. Why don't you drive parts of the Westpark toll during heavy rain, Bill explained why."
Correa called Bishop her compass, which gave her the context she needed to succeed.
"He often pointed me in the right direction of whom to call so that I could beat the deadline on a breaking story," Correa added. "Bill knows everyone and every organization across the greater Houston region. That guidance was needed as an MMJ logging miles and miles on Houston's roads solo. I always appreciated his willingness to pick up the phone and help schedule a shoot or an interview, so that I could get it all done as a team of one."
"In short, Bill was the newsroom," KHOU 11 meteorologist Kim Castro told me. "It's one thing to research a story or weather event, it's another to speak to the man who lived through it. To have Bill was to have live archive access. And not the boring AI kind. Bill's humor, his movie quotes, his whole demeanor of hard news man with a soft heart was the pulse of this newsroom."
While it may sound like Bishop was the brain of the newsroom, his heart also touched his colleagues over the years.
"Professionally, Bill is unmatched. The man knows everything...news, weather, traffic...most times before the news, weather, traffic people know themselves," added Castro. "You can't help but have the deepest admiration and respect for that alone. But it's his heart that has made Bill such an important and staple part of our lives. Gone on assignment? You'll get a text from Bill. 'Is everything going ok, do you need anything?' How about just gone on vacation? You'll also get a text from Bill just checking in. Somehow, he always had time for it all."
"Bill Bishop was the heart and soul of the newsroom," added Treviño. "You could talk forever about his cool head under pressure, his leadership skills, journalistic integrity and judgment. But the man himself is what I will miss. My best friend, and possibly the best person I know in terms of decency. And that is the true measure of a man."
"He was my dear friend," Correa added. "The early months of the pandemic were really hard. He'd often call just to make sure I was doing okay. Bill was always one to ask about my family, send me a photo of his cat, Colby, or make a reference to one of his favorite Seinfeld episodes. That's rare—to have a managing editor who is focused on running a 24/7 news operation and who also slows down enough to make sure you're okay. I left television news in August 2022. I was burned out. But I still love journalism so much. I'll never forget talking to Bill on my last day at the station and apologizing for not being able to be more resilient or stronger or tougher — to be able to stick it out through that really difficult time. He said, 'Do not apologize. You did good, kid.'"
"I hope Bill takes pride in all the help he has provided to hundreds of reporters and other colleagues over the years [and] takes pride in all his contributions to awards for KHOU and its peeps," Gray added. "And he really needs to take pride in all his work to inform this community."
"Assume nothing," Bishop told KHOU Digital Director Randy Klein concerning advice for today's and future journalists. "Just because a politician or an official says that’s the way it is, doesn’t mean they’re right. Ask for everything. You may not get it all, but you may get something. The worst they can say is no. Consider all the angles, all the possibilities of what may have happened on a story. Having contacts and sources is important. You must develop them. Get right out the door every day. The story isn’t in the newsroom. Saying please and thank you goes a long way."
Some personal news. After 47 years in Houston news, 42 of those at my home away from home, KHOU, I'm retiring tomorrow. News is in my blood. I'll still be active on social media, but it's time for carefree highway. Here's to the sunny slopes of long ago and to the future. pic.twitter.com/oTdwT3RpL5
104.1 KRBE Houston has debuted a new logo after 20 years.
Now a flood of Gen Z's and Alphas are throwing down their phones and tuning in.
Let's face it, the previous logo has been around in some form since 1991, when they switched from the Power 104 branding! Calling Elvis Duran and Glenn Beck.
You can go look at the radio station Logopedia to see what KRBE branded itself as all the way back to 1959.
Also gone is the slogan "Houston's #1 hit music station." The new tagline is "Houston. Hit Music."
I've been using my branding since 2005! But my avatar is so chopped that it makes me look eternally ageless. Maybe I could drop the dunderpate tagline and just say, outright moron? I think there are people in the industry who would agree with that!
Here is the previous KRBE logo so you can always cherish it.
Everyone is wondering when AI anchors will be here, and the answer is they are already aqui...on Entravision AHORA, a national Spanish-language news streaming platform integrating live programming and local reporting to serve U.S. Hispanic audiences.
"LIA (Latina Inteligencia Artificial), a new AI-powered information companion joining Entravision AHORA, the company’s next-generation local news brand.
LIA will appear alongside trusted news anchors to enhance the viewing experience by delivering real-time information, weather updates, data visualizations, election results, explainers and other contextual content that helps viewers better understand the stories shaping their communities.
Unlike traditional virtual presenters, LIA is designed to complement—not replace—the role of journalists. Jorge remains the trusted editorial voice of the broadcast, while LIA enhances every story with real-time data, context and interactive storytelling."
It would be ironic if that press release was generated by AI...
LIA will appear with flesh-and-blood anchors Lourdes Del Río, Jorge Viera, Norma Ribeiro, and Eduardo Padilla.
Entravision appears to be a pioneer in AI talent. A few months ago, the company debuted an AI radio DJ at José 97.5/107.1 KLYY Los Angeles, and now it's getting syndicated to more stations:
"BURBANK, Calif., August 05, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Entravision (NYSE: EVC), a leading media and advertising technology company, today announced the multi-market expansion of its groundbreaking AI-co-hosted show starring Geraldine "GeeGee" Guzman and Coyotec, the industry's first Latino AI radio personality. Beginning Monday, August 3rd, the duo brings their signature chemistry, culture, and high-energy format to five new key markets across Entravision's premier Fuego Network, which targets one of the fastest rising consumers: bicultural & bilingual Latinos.
Bridging Human Talent and AI
At the heart of the expansion is the ability to adapt cutting-edge AI technology to diverse regional audiences while preserving authentic human connection.
'Hearing GeeGee and Coyotec together in English has been one of the most exciting parts of this expansion,' said LeaAnna Hernandez, EVP of AI Strategy. 'We intentionally created Coyotec to be our 'amigo inteligente' (intelligent friend)—a trusted companion that informs, entertains, and connects with listeners. Their chemistry shows how naturally AI can adapt when paired with great talent, and it's a powerful reminder that AI isn't limited to a single language, platform, or audience.'"
Just remember to be kind to your favorite LLM now, so when it takes over, it might spare you.
Jillian Hartmann's now-fiancé, Laurn Randell, really outdid many guys when he took FOX 26 Houston KRIV reporter to AT&T Stadium and proposed to her near the Dallas Cowboys' 50-yard line, complete with giant letters spelling "Marry Me."
OK, I realize Houston Texans fans might not be cheering, but give Randell credit for originality and access! You know me, I've written a lot of Houston TV engagement posts in my time, but this would be the first time one was Jerry Jones-approved. Does this mean Dale Hansen will come out of retirement and criticize it? That was a little North Texas TV humor for you today.
But seriously, no joke here...congrats to the newly engaged couple!
Hartmann joined FOX 26 Houston KRIV as a reporter from WPXI 11 in April 2025, where she spent five years reporting in her hometown of Pittsburgh.
Previously, she worked as a morning news reporter for Fox 4 News WFTX in Fort Myers, Florida.
She began her career as a reporter for WJAC 6 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
A graduate of the broadcast journalism program at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, Hartmann interned at WPXI.
