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Runaway Radio Screenings
WATCH: Mike McGuff's "Runaway Radio" 101 KLOL documentary - now streaming on Tubi!

Friday, October 04, 2024

Former Houston TV reporters adding to their families


Adam Winkler and Matthew Seedorff are both adding to their families!

Winkler, who left abc13 KTRK in June and joined Winkler Public Relations while still talking Texas sports, welcomed Caroline Audrey, the fifth member of his family. 



Seedorff, who left FOX 26 KRIV in January to join FOX 11 KTTV, Los Angeles, is expecting his first child with his wife, Natalie, in January 2025.




Maddie Kirker joins Spectrum News 1 Texas


Maddie Kirker has joined Spectrum News 1 Texas as a morning meteorologist as of September 2024.

"Catch me every Weekday Morning in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio (and most of Texas) I’m LIVE all morning," Kirker posted.

Kirker, based in Austin, was previously the Morning/Noon Meteorologist for “Wake Up CBUS” on 10 WBNS Columbus, Ohio. She joined the station's Doppler 10 Weather Team in November 2022.

Before working at WBNS, Kirker spent:


- Three years as the Weekday Noon and 4pm Meteorologist at News 3 WTKR Norfolk, Virginia. 

- Two years in Colorado Springs at FOX 21 News KXRM/KXTU as the Weekend Morning Meteorologist,

- Two years as the Morning Meteorologist at WPDE ABC15 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 

- Two years at WCBI 4 Columbus, Mississippi as a meteorologist. 


Kirker is a 2011 Mississippi State University grad and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Meteorology. As a student, she won honors in the National Collegiate Weather Challenge, forecasting her way to first place out of 1,500 undergraduates and fourth overall in Allentown, PA.







Thursday, October 03, 2024

“The Dana Cortez Show” joins Mix 96.5 Houston mornings


“The Dana Cortez Show” joins Mix 96.5 Houston KHMX mornings starting next month.

I have learned that current morning host Jessie Watt will be added as the local Houston producer for the new show. Longtime Mix 96.5 host Sarah Pepper left Houston in May.

Beginning November 4, 2024, KHMX will debut the Houston-focused morning show featuring Dana Cortez, DJ Automatic, and Anthony A on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The station will also be the flagship for Skyview Networks’ nationally syndicated program.

“The Dana Cortez Show” features candid discussions on various trending topics, relationship advice, and pop culture, delivered with comedy. 

“We are thrilled to welcome ‘The Dana Cortez Show’ to Mix 96.5 and Houston,” said Sarah Frazier, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Houston. “Dana, DJ Automatic and Anthony A bring an incredible energy, humor and relatability that resonates with audiences everywhere. We’re excited for our Houston listeners to experience the unique blend of entertainment and real-life conversations that have made the show a hit nationwide.”

“I’m so excited to wake up and connect with H-Town’s amazing community,” said Cortez. “Sarah Frazier and Melissa Chase are visionaries, and being on the Mix 96.5 team is a perfect fit for our show’s new flagship station.”

In 2018, Cortez became the first Latina to host a syndicated morning drive radio show. 

"The Dana Cortez Show” has established a track record for ratings and revenue generation, consistently outperforming its predecessors.

In January 2023, the show launched its weekend counterpart, “The Dana Cortez Weekend Show.” The show provides listeners exclusive behind-the-scenes access to their favorite stars, whether it’s Dana on the red carpet at The Grammys to interviews with stars and celebrities. Skyview Networks is the syndication partner for “The Dana Cortez Show” and “The Dana Cortez Weekend Show.” 





WFAA reporter caught Nolan Ryan's no-hitter in 1991 because of food


Before being hired for the Dallas Stars' play-by-play radio role, Bruce LeVine was a WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth sports reporter who, in 1991, would have missed Nolan Ryan's last no-hitter if he 'had food at home.'




Caroline Fletcher promoted at News 12 KXII Sherman



Caroline Fletcher was promoted to the News 12 KXII Sherman evening newscast co-anchor position in August 2024.

Fletcher takes Brenda Teele's spot, who left in July.

“I am honored to accept the evening anchor role,” Fletcher said. “I have fallen in love with Texoma while working in Ardmore. I look forward to growing as a journalist while working alongside the best news team in Texoma. I look forward to serving our viewers in a new way.”

Fletcher, who has been the KXII weekend anchor, will now anchor the 4 p.m. newscast and co-anchor 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. weeknights with Jeff Eliasoph, chief meteorologist Steve LaNore, and sports director David Reed.

She joined Channel 12 in June 2020 as a reporter at the Ardmore Bureau.

The University of North Texas Mayborn School of Journalism grad has been nominated for a Lone Star Emmy and appeared in Netflix's "Tiger King" season 2. 



Wednesday, October 02, 2024

More layoffs at KTRK 13 and ABC stations



Deadline reports that 75 employees have been impacted by layoffs at ABC News and ABC-owned stations, which also includes Houston's ABC13 KTRK mikemcguff.com has learned.

I hear around three staffer layoffs at KTRK, some of which are affecting the news department. No on-air roles were affected.

"It’s no secret that our industry is undergoing a transformation unlike any other, and we’re seeing headlines every day about streamlining across every major media company," president of ABC Owned Television Stations Chad Matthews said in an employee memo obtained by Deadline.  "While we’re not immune to the pressures facing this business today, we have been – and will continue to be – strategic with decisions about our organization’s future."

In July, KTRK and other Disney Entertainment Television properties went through layoffs, too.





Dominique Sachse gives home tour





Maggie Laughlin to compete in Miss World America 2024


Maggie Laughlin is a KENS 5 San Antonio weekend morning forecaster/weekday reporter and Miss Florida in the Miss World America 2024.

She was a 2022 Miss Washington USA contestant.

Laughlin joined KENS 5 San Antonio in December 2022 from KEPR Action News Pasco, Washington.

No word yet on when Miss World America 2024 will take place.

UPDATE
This Instagram post announcing Laughlin's participation was taken down after I posted this.  It had been online for weeks to a whole month.





Tuesday, October 01, 2024

"Runaway Radio" screening near Bellaire Wednesday night!


My “Runaway Radio” 101 KLOL documentary will be screened at the Alta Arts Houston on October 2, 2024, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

That is Wednesday, so buy your tickets right now as they are going fast. 


BUY TICKETS


I'll be on hand for a Q&A with KLOL legends Dayna Steele, Pat Fant, Doug Harris, and film composer Sam Kužel!  Hear the wild KLOL stories that didn’t make the doc from the people who lived it all!

Complimentary food and drinks will be available, and there will be chances to win free "Runaway Radio" t-shirts, DVDs, and stickers!

WATCH THE TRAILER

The movie screening will be surrounded by a rock music poster exhibition featuring Texas artist Bill Narum, who designed the original K101 Runaway Radio logo, which is discussed in the KLOL documentary.


The Alta Arts

5412 Ashbrook Dr. Houston TX 77081 (next to Bellaire, TX)

October 2, 2024, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.