Tessa Barrera joins Sunny 99.1 Houston afternoons

As I first told you back in June, Tessa Barrera started filling in on Sunny 99.1 KODA, and now it looks like that is a permanent job.

Barrera is the new weekday 3 to 7pm afternoon host. 

She takes over for afternoon host Chris Davis, who, along with Midday host Amanda Flores and overnight DJ Madison Reeves, was laid off last month.

Barrera departed KPRC 2's Houston Life in March 2026 after three years as co-host of the station's weekday 1 p.m. lifestyle show, telling viewers she wanted to be more available for her family while she figured out the next chapter of her career.

A Corpus Christi native, Barrera officially joined Houston Life in July 2023 alongside Derrick Shore after spending several months as a guest co-host following Courtney Zavala's exit.

She first arrived in Houston in 2019 after being selected through a nationwide search to join KODA's iHeartMedia sister station 94.5 The Buzz KTBZ as a member of The Rod Ryan Show. For more than a year, she balanced both her radio and television roles before leaving the morning radio show in December 2024 to focus exclusively on Houston Life.

Prior to moving to Houston, Barrera worked in Los Angeles as a news anchor and executive producer at KFI AM 640.

She began her broadcasting career in South Texas, working at KRIS 6 and KZTV Action 10 News in Corpus Christi, where she became the first Latina sports anchor in the region. During her time there, she covered the Corpus Christi Hooks, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas, and numerous high school sports programs.

Rachel Briers joins KPRC 2 Houston

Rachel Briers is returning to Houston television, joining KPRC 2 as a part-time meteorologist.

"I am very lucky that KPRC is giving me the flexibility to work part-time so I can still spend plenty of time with my kids," Briers told mikemcguff.com.  "It’s definitely a win-win to be able to dedicate myself to a job that I love but, more importantly, to my kids."

"I have some exciting news to share," KPRC2 Houston chief meteorologist Anthony Yanez posted.  "Please join me in welcoming Rachel Briers to the KPRC 2 Weather team! We are so happy to have Rachel joining us. She’s a talented meteorologist, and a wonderful person. She’ll be on TV and streaming in two weeks. Welcome to the team, Rachel!

A source tells mikemcguff.com that Briers will fill in for meteorologist Caroline Brown, who is preparing to begin maternity leave. She is expected to appear on KPRC 2's noon, 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. newscasts and on other newscasts as needed.

The move marks Briers' return to broadcasting after stepping away from ABC13 KTRK in December 2025 to become a stay-at-home mom. The part-time role at KPRC will allow her to balance her career with the family flexibility she has been seeking.

During her seven years forecasting Houston weather, Briers welcomed two daughters while continuing her work on the air. She joined ABC13 in December 2018 and earned three Emmy Awards during her tenure.

Before arriving in Houston, Briers worked at NewsWest 9 KWES in Midland-Odessa and KLBK in Lubbock.

A Plano native, Briers earned her degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Texas A&M University. While in college, she gained experience through internships at WFAA 8 in Dallas-Fort Worth and KBTX News 3 in Bryan-College Station.

"Weather is one of the most important services we provide our viewers," said Ana Lastra, News Director at KPRC 2. "Rachel's experience, local knowledge and passion for serving this community make her a tremendous addition to KPRC 2 Weather. Together, we'll continue helping Houstonians prepare for what's ahead and making Houston better through the trusted journalism our community depends on."

- Brittany Begley no longer with KPRC 2 Houston

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CW33 KDAF DFW gets a 9pm newscast again

CW33 KDAF Dallas - Fort Worth is getting a nightly newscast back in primetime.

- Perry Sook reveals Nexstar-TEGNA deal outcome in DFW

Beginning in mid-August 2026, KDAF will air a live 9 p.m. newscast seven days a week, immediately following The CW Network's primetime programming. 

CW33 DFW previously had newscasts under owner Tribune Broadcasting, but those went away when NewsFix expanded to North Texas from CW39 Houston KIAH in 2012.  The network version of Morning Dose also originated from KDAF years ago before current owner Nexstar Media Group purchased Tribune. 

“We’re excited to launch daily primetime newscasts in two of the country’s top-12 markets and provide viewers with a new outlet for news and information that didn’t exist previously,” said Andrew Alford, President of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.  “Nexstar is committed to serving our communities with high-quality, fact-based local journalism, which is particularly important now, as the mid-term elections approach and voters look for reliable, credible information about the issues and the candidates running for office.”

In addition to Dallas, Nexstar also announced it will launch a seven-day-a-week 9 p.m. newscast in Phoenix on CW7 Arizona KAZT, where the company provides services under a Time Brokerage Agreement.

SportsRadio 610 becomes 95.7 The Fan Houston

SportsRadio 610 KILT-AM Houston announced it will rebrand as 95.7 The Fan beginning Thursday, August 13, 2026, bringing its sports programming to the FM dial in place of 95.7 The Spot KKHH. 

That's after more than three decades on the AM dial. No word on what happens to the 610 KILT-AM.  Back to Top 40?  OK, that's a Gordon McLendon era joke. UPDATE: Radio Insight reports both 610 and 95.7 will change to KIKK-AM and KIKK-FM (a nod to the 95.7 frequency's country music roots) and will simulcast the same programming.

Owner Audacy has been moving its portfolio of AM sports talkers to the FM dials across the country for years.  So when SportsRadio 610 teased a big announcement, this is what radio insiders were thinking would be announced in Houston.

However, I never would have thought they would flip 95.7 The Spot, since it is usually the company's highest-rated Houston station (I don't know about revenues, though). The Spot debuted in December 2016 as Houston's newest adult hits radio station programmed for listeners who love a variety of hits from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s.  Legendary Rock 101 KLOL Outlaw Radio DJ Greg "Grego" Onofrio has been the voice and brand ambassador of The Spot since 2019.

"It was fun while it lasted," Grego posted Wednesday evening after the announcement.  "My thanks and love to all. I’ll be in touch."

UPDATE:  Here is the Audacy press release:

HOUSTON, TX – July 22, 2026 – Audacy announces the launch of 95.7 The Fan in Houston, officially establishing the company's FM sports radio presence across all top ten U.S. markets. Beginning August 13, 95.7 The Fan will launch as an FM simulcast of 610 AM, delivering the market’s leading sports talk, expert analysis, and live play-by-play coverage across both frequencies.

As part of this expansion, 95.7 The Fan will serve as the flagship FM broadcast home for the Houston Texans, bringing the game-day action and year-round coverage to an even broader audience across the region.

“Houston boasts some of the most passionate sports fans in the country, and they deserve both the content and distribution that matches their energy,” said Chris Oliviero, Chief Business Officer, Audacy. “Between our incredibly entertaining and informative lineup of local hosts and our exclusive partnership with the Texans, we are the ultimate destination for Houston sports fans. Launching 95.7 The Fan as our tenth FM sports station in the top ten U.S. markets is a proud milestone and solidifies Audacy's leadership in local sports audio. We can't wait to bring this unbeatable coverage to even more fans so they can join the conversation and stay connected to the teams they love.”

95.7 The Fan will launch with the following on-air lineup.

6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CT: “Payne and Pendergast”

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT: “In The Loop with John Lopez and Reggie Adetula”

2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. CT: “The Drive with Stoerner and Hughley”

Nightly after Texans All Access: “Area 45 with Bijani and Creighton”

95.7 The Fan is Audacy's industry-leading 23rd FM sports station. As the #1 destination for live sports talk and sports streaming, Audacy delivers a robust portfolio that includes over 40 owned-and-operated sports stations, 160 digital sports channels, and a premier sports podcast network featuring over 600 titles. Audacy is also the flagship home of more than 75 professional and collegiate teams, including the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys and Golden State Warriors, and is the official audio streaming partner of Major League Baseball. 

Here is the official announcement:

"For 32 years, Sports Radio 610 has been the soundtrack of Houston Sports. 

We were there when the Oilers said goodbye.  And when the Texans said hello.

We lived every heartbreaking moment, every impossible comeback, every championship celebration from the agony of a game seven loss.

To two World Series parades.

For three decades, one thing has never changed. We've been right here with Houston sports fans every day, every game, every season. 

And now, after 32 incredible years, it's time for a fresh look, an upgrade, a new era, a new era. 

Thursday, August 13th Sports Radio 610 moves to the FM dial. The voices you trust. The sports talk you love. Louder, clearer, better than ever. As 95.7 The fan, Houston sports leader with 100,000 watts of power behind us.

957 The Fan coming to you, Houston on August 13th."

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Erin Heft joins WFAA 8

Erin Heft has announced she is joining WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth as a reporter as of July 2026.

- Tiffany Liou leaves WFAA 8

The move marks a return to Texas for Heft, who departed KCRA 3 in June after five years as a reporter and fill-in anchor in Sacramento, California.

Heft originally joined KCRA in June 2021 and also served as a fill-in traffic anchor during her tenure. 

Before moving to Northern California, she spent nearly three years in Texas with 25 News KXXV Waco-Temple-Killeen as a multimedia journalist and fill-in anchor.

Heft also has worked for:

KCRA 3 & My58 Television — News Reporter Intern (June 2018–October 2018)

SBM Management Services — Implementation Manager, Instructional Design Developer, and Product Analyst

Golding Publications — Reporter / Columnist

SBNation San Diego Padres – Gaslamp Ball / VOX Media — Staff Writer / Daily News Reporter

San Diego Padres — On-Field Correspondent / Media Relations

Heft earned dual bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication. She also completed minors in media law and analysis and political science. 

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Mo Haider departs ABC13 Houston

Mo Haider has left his news and sports reporting position with ABC13 KTRK Houston after returning to his hometown station in 2024.

In an internal memo obtained by mikemcguff.com, ABC13's VP of News and Digital, Keaton Fuchs, called Haider "one of the nicest people in the biz."

"As I wrap up my time at KTRK, I just wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to all of you," Haider wrote in the memo to the Eyewitness News staff.  "This is the strongest and most talented team I've ever worked with, and I feel lucky to have been a part of it. For as long as I can remember, this station has set the bar and the standard for local news. When I first arrived, it was easy to see why. I learned so much during my time here, and I credit all of you for that."

An Emmy-nominated journalist, Haider came back to Houston after spending more than a decade working at television stations across the country. 

He joined ABC13 from KOMO-TV Seattle, where he served as a reporter and fill-in anchor beginning in 2021.

Before Seattle, Haider spent three years at WTVF NewsChannel 5, the CBS affiliate in Nashville, Tennessee.

Other job highlights in Haider's career include:

WGBA NBC 26 Green Bay – News Reporter/Producer/Weekend Anchor

KRQE News 13 Albuquerque – News Reporter

KCAU 9 Sioux City – News Reporter/Fill-in Producer/Fill-in Anchor

A native of New Orleans, Haider moved with his family to Sugar Land in 2005, where they still live today.

He is a graduate of the University of Houston's Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. While at UH, Haider wrote for The Daily Cougar, hosted a program on Coog Radio, and completed internships at Houston stations KPRC 2 and FOX 26 KRIV. 

KHOU 11 to provide CW39 9pm newscast

 
KHOU 11 Houston is taking over the CW39 KIAH 9pm news duties from ABC13 KTRK, mikemcguff.com has exclusively confirmed.

The switch happens starting August 29, 2026.

I've also heard KHOU will soon be hiring six new job positions.  Get those resumes handy, my friends!

“ABC13 Eyewitness News at 9 PM on CW39" debuted in May 2020.  Essentially, CW39 has been leasing its 9 PM newscast from ABC13.  It's KTRK's set, anchor, reporters, and meteorologists, just on Channel 39.

As for ABC13, a high-up source tells mikemcguff.com the Disney station will continue with the 9 PM broadcast on its ABC13 24/7 stream.  KTRK was already streaming the 9pm news, while it aired on CW39's linear TV signal.

When the Texas-based Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA merger talk started happening earlier this year, one of the first things I predicted was TEGNA's KHOU starting to provide 9pm news to Nexstar's KIAH.

- Perry Sook reveals Nexstar-TEGNA deal outcome in DFW (and maybe Houston)

And here we are. One point for McGuff's prognostication skills...although this was an easy prediction.

Now, while the Nexstar-TEGNA deal hangs in limbo, clearly the two companies are moving forward with consolidating their station operations.

KHOU and KIAH already have one thing in common...Liz Roldán, the current CW39 news director, used to work for Channel 11.

- Jennifer Reyna is fill-in anchoring
- Bryanna Moore joins CW39 Houston
- Trevor Birchett Joins KHOU 11 Houston
- Texas TV anchoring is a family affair!
- Trason Bragg promoted to KHOU 11 Houston noon anchor
- Brheanna Berry returns to Houston at KHOU 11

Houston Public Media renews resiliency fund campaign, closing in on $4.4 million goal

 

HOUSTON, TX (July 20, 2026) – Building on the strong support of donors across the region, Houston Public Media today announced that it is renewing its Resiliency Fund campaign, noting that it is very near to its fundraising goal of $4.4 million. With $3.7 million raised to date, the Resiliency Fund was started in 2025 to help offset two years of annual federal funding losses resulting from the government rescission.

Due to broad support from across Greater Houston, Houston Public Media expects this next phase of the campaign, including an on-air drive from July 20-24, to achieve the fundraising goal before the campaign concludes in August. The Resiliency Fund helps enable the nonprofit multimedia organization to continue providing access to trusted journalism, educational programming and essential public services for an audience of more than 2.7 million monthly across Greater Houston and Southeast Texas.

“This campaign proves that Houston believes in the value of public media,” said Josh Adams, associate vice president and general manager of Houston Public Media. “Our funding changed, but our commitment to this community never did. Because of the generosity of thousands of supporters, we’re entering this next chapter with confidence and a focus on long-term growth and innovation.” 

Adams added that donor response, including more than 5,300 total gifts and 1,100 new contributors, is positioning the organization to enter the new fiscal year with confidence as it invests in technology improvements, expands local programming and reaches audiences in new ways.

“We recognize that millions of people are counting on us to deliver the content they value and trust,” Adams noted. “That drives us to constantly look for ways to innovate and to deliver more of what our audiences want.”

Recent investments include enhanced multiplatform studios, modernized production technology, improved digital workflows and expanded distribution of local content across streaming, social media and emerging platforms. Houston Public Media recently launched HPM+, a new live and on-demand streaming platform which gives smart TV audiences expanded access to local and national content. The organization also continues to grow original programming, including the two-hour daily talk show Hello Houston, and expanding Houston Matters to audiences across YouTube and other digital channels.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has stepped forward to support Houston Public Media’s Resiliency Fund, including The Hamill Foundation, whose significant lead gift helped build momentum for the campaign,” said Lynne Cook, chief development officer for Houston Public Media. “Every contribution, regardless of size, sends the same message: this service matters.  We’re hoping that those who have not yet given will join us now to help surpass the goal and build a stronger Houston Public Media for generations to come.”

Houston Public Media provides trusted local and national news, educational programming for children and adults, emergency and public safety information, and storytelling for the entire family across its radio, TV, streaming and digital platforms, reaching audiences throughout the region.

To learn more or contribute to the Resiliency Fund, visit houstonpublicmedia.org/resiliency.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by Houston Public Media)

Emichelle Frias joins Telemundo Las Vegas

Emichelle Frias has joined Noticiero Telemundo Las Vegas KBLR as a multimedia journalist, beginning today, Monday, July 20, 2026.

Frias joins KBLR from the Dallas-Fort Worth market, where she served as a digital multimedia journalist for Univision 23 / KUVN. In that role, she reported, shot, wrote, edited and produced stories for broadcast, digital and social media platforms.

“Emichelle brings strong reporting skills and passion for community-centered journalism,” said Johali Carmona, News Director for Telemundo Las Vegas. “Her commitment to amplifying local voices and telling meaningful stories that inform and connect with audiences will make her a valuable addition to our newsroom. We are excited to welcome her to Las Vegas.”

Before joining Univision 23 Dallas full-time, Frias was part of KUVN’s Proyecto U program, where she pitched, researched, reported, edited, and produced hard-news stories. Her work with Proyecto U was recognized with a 2023 Lone Star Emmy Student Production Award in the College Newscast category.

Frias also gained experience as a reporter for UTA News en Español while attending the University of Texas at Arlington.

Noticiero Telemundo Las Vegas airs weekdays at 12 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Xitlaly Ruiz joins ‘Noticias Telemundo Colorado’

Xitlaly Ruiz has been named anchor and multimedia journalist for Noticias Telemundo Colorado KDEN.

Ruiz joins Telemundo Colorado from Univision Arizona / KTVW , where she has served as multimedia journalist, traffic anchor, fill-in anchor and producer since April 2022. In that role, she has covered breaking news, traffic and stories impacting local communities, while also producing and anchoring the station’s morning newscasts.

“Xitlaly is a versatile journalist whose experience as a reporter, anchor and producer makes her an outstanding addition to our newsroom,” said Emmanuel López-Capó, News Director of Telemundo Colorado. “She understands the responsibility that comes with informing our viewers and has demonstrated a genuine commitment to serving Latino communities. We’re excited to welcome her to Colorado and look forward to the connection she’ll build with our audience.”

Ruiz began her career in Palm Springs, California, where she worked as a news reporter for Entravision Communications from 2014 to 2018. In that role, she researched, shot, wrote, edited and presented daily news stories, reported live during breaking news and covered issues impacting the local community.

Her work has earned her two Emmy Award nominations and the Citizenship Award, presented by the Consulates of Guatemala and Mexico. Ruiz has also received recognition from local and state government officials for her service to the community.

Noticias Telemundo Colorado airs weekdays at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.