KDAF 33's Toni Duclottni, KPRC reporter ties the knot, Fox news protestors and more

Fox News reporter heckled at Wisconsin protest

Where's Candice and who's Toni? CW33 strikes again
The Dallas-based station's website continues to picture Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's fiancee, Candice Crawford, as part of its News Team. But click on her page and you get a picture of someone else, named "Toni," under the "Meet Candice" portion -- which in fact is all about Toni.

KPRC 2 Reporter Robert Arnold Ties The Knot
Congratulations to KPRC Local 2 Investigative Reporter Robert Arnold. Robert recently tied the knot with his lovely fiancée, Jennifer.

KTRK 13 drops AccuWeather Channel
ABC-owned KTRK 13 dropped the AccuWeather Channel from 13.3 in favor of a standard-definition simulcast of the LiveWell Network reports gridlockjoe.
- Live Well Could Be A Model For D2 Success
- ABC's multicast play: All's well with live well

Rodeo Houston Parade Gallops Into Downtown
KPRC Local 2 anchor Dominque Sachse, Sports Director Randy McIlvoy, Reporter Carl Willis and Mary Benton rode in a chuck wagon along the parade route.
- Clear Channel Outlaws and the 2 Steppers rodeo barbecue tents

Houston's black newspapers build on legacy
Publications, most of them weekly, serve readership in the thousands

Zach Anner wins show on Oprah’s network
Meet Zach Anner, national television star. In a surprise move, Oprah Winfrey awarded both the Austin resident and his co-finalist, Kristina Kuzmic-Crocco, their own shows on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Texas family takes home 'Funniest Video' prize
A Collin County family is getting notoriety they didn't expect, and in the beginning, didn't want. It's all because of ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos."

KROV community radio goes on the air
African American community again will have a voice on local airwaves.

Television Program Focuses on HISD and the State Budget Crisis
Superintendent, Board President and other administrators answer viewer questions during live show.

Exclusive January PPM Analysis Houston
HOUSTON’s post-Christmas music Top 5 list for JANUARY is almost identical (P6+) to what it looked like in NOVEMBER, pre-jingle.

Hyperlocals like TBD: More hype than hope
The rapid implosion of the high-profile TBD news site is further evidence that hyperlocal journalism is more hype than hope for the news business.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- News anchor attacks sports guy's manhood...down there
- New KHOU 11 and KXAS 5 anchor and weather promo spots
- KPRC 2 lands new 4:30am associate producer
- Todd Freed's new High School SportZone on KUBE 57
- 102.1 The Edge EdgeFest 21 concert lineup bands

Fox 26 KRIV's Isiah Carey gets on Comedy Central's TOSH.0

More than 8 million...yes I wrote 8 million views later...Houston blogger and Fox 26 KRIV reporter Isiah Carey AKA The Insite is going national with Daniel Tosh on Comedy Central. It's all due to his famous YouTube videos:

After two years of talks and negotiations The Insite is finally making an appearance on Comedy Central. It was about two years ago when that infamous Youtube video from 1996 - yes 1996 surfaced and it caught the attention of some Hollywood producers. Those producers were with the show Tosh.0. READ MORE

The Insite also posted some photos from his big Los Angeles weekend with Tosh.0. I hope he doesn't forget us little people!

Thanks to Bob Martin aka "The Accountant to the Stars" who sent me a list of YouTube viewer tributes to The Insite. Isiah has become an Internet sensation.

Check out his kid reenacting Isiah Carey’s classic outtake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvsnGq1mDGQ&feature=watch_response

Here is another spoof of Isiah Carey’s classic outtake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ud1F3VogyQ&feature=fvwrel

Yet another Isiah Carey spoof.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9_7y57I1jI&feature=related

Another Isiah Carey remake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IR4fCaq9H4&feature=related

A female doing an Isiah Carey spoof.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XafRn-8mJIM&feature=related

Another female doing an Isiah Carey spoof.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG3HzMsQv0w&feature=related

A cartoon parody of Isiah Carey’s outtake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nNxbA_jgr8&feature=related

Another Isiah Parody.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nNxbA_jgr8&feature=related

AND HERE IS THE ORIGINAL:



UPDATE
This will air in May.

102.1 The Edge EdgeFest 21 concert lineup bands

102.1 The Edge KDGE in Dallas-Fort Worth emailed me the band lineup for its EdgeFest 21 concert. The 2011 show will be Saturday, April 30 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco.

This year marks 21 times The Edge has brought an all day concert to the DFW area. Over 15 bands will rock two stages. The big bands coming to The Metroplex are Jane’s Addiction, Weezer, Social Distortion, Seether, Flogging Molly, Neon Trees, Dirty Heads, A Day to Remember, New Politics, Airborne Toxic Event, AWOL Nation, Young the Giant, Middle Class Rut, Electric Touch and more.

Here is more from 102.1 The Edge:

As in years past we’re even giving the great local talent we have here in DFW a shot to open the show. All details on how local bands can participate in this contest will be available at www.KDGE.com soon.

With our experience of 21 EdgeFests, we have answered the request of many listeners and have updated the seating chart to include reserved seating and G.A. on the floor. A seating chart is available on www.KDGE.com now for review.

Tickets on sale Friday, March 4th at 10am! You can purchase tickets from www.KDGE.com or all Ticketmaster outlets after on-sale. Tickets will range from $65 - $25.

Todd Freed's new High School SportZone on KUBE 57

Attention high school sports buffs, changes have come to Todd Freed's long running Houston sports show. This is from a Facebook message he sent to fans:

High School Sports Live has changed names, channels, times and now Facebook pages.

Please join us Sunday 's at 9pm on our new channel KUBE 57 as our new show "High School SportZone" keeps you in the Zone!

High School SportZone

RELATED
- The KUBE 57 Houston gets new website

KPRC 2 lands new 4:30am associate producer

George Lupercio is making his way back to Houston as an associate producer for KPRC 2's 4:30am show with Owen Conflenti. Lupercio is leaving KBMT in Beaumont where he worked as a producer of the station's evening shows.

"I am thrilled to return to Houston and begin my new career as an associate producer for KPRC Local 2," Lupercio told the mikemcguff.com blog. "I was born and raised in Houston and nothing makes more happier than to come back home."

He started his TV career as an intern and then production assistant at KTRK 13. He also worked for The Houston Chronicle's East End neighborhood section as a freelance writer.

"The producers and anchors at KTRK mentored me in my writing to help improve it," Lupercio said. "Later, I started writing for the 11 a.m. newscast. A year and half later (June 2010) my supervisor, Executive Producer Jerry Vazquez, recommended me for a producer position at KBMT in Beaumont, TX."

Now that he has moved from an ABC station to an NBC affiliate, Lupercio had to make some changes to his Twitter account. The former @abcnewsjunkie is now @nbcnewsjunkie. Smart move!

Congrats to George.

(Thanks Eric)

New KHOU 11 and KXAS 5 anchor and weather promo spots

We have new promos to watch for KHOU 11 Houston and NBC 5 KXAS Dallas-Fort Worth.



At 11 News, severe weather coverage starts days before the storm. When it comes to covering severe weather, it's the experience that makes the difference. Watch Chief Meteorologist Gene Norman, only on 11 News!

A former Houston guy was behind the NBC 5 KXAS spots. You might remember how former KPRC 2 creative services director Gary Wann left for KXAS in DFW in 2010. I'm unable to embed KXAS 5 promos:

NBC 5 Deb and Steve
Deb Ferguson and Steve Lamb have a great relationship, and are in a unique position to understand each other as broadcasters. They live, laugh, and love DFW. And as a high-powered media couple, fully enjoy the benefits of riding the open roads of North Texas.

NBC 5 Scott Family
Scott Friedman and his wife love living in DFW. They have a lot of friends and family in the area, and that makes it very special for them. With strong ties and a good support system, they can't imagine being any place else. And frankly we wouldn't want them to go anywhere!

NBC 5 Tammy Horses
Tammy Dombeck grew up in DFW and wouldn't want it any other way. She has fun with her friends, likes the lake, and loves riding on her horse.... When he cooperates! It's hard to say who had more fun on this shoot, but I think it was a close race and she came in first.

NBC 5 Deb School
Deb Ferguson loves DFW, and her time growing up here. She takes us on a guided tour of her childhood. She drew a crowd everywhere we went, people really love her and know her. She's a one of a kind home town girl.

NBC 5 Jen Family
Jen Lopez loves being a Mom, Wife, and Meteorologist. Her kids were great on this shoot, and we had a fun time learning all about what makes her tick. She's a cool mom, with a cool job!

NBC 5 Scott Cycling
Scott Friedman shows us one of his favorite past times in North Texas. He loves being outside, and we have fun capturing his weekend activities.

HPD: One ton of marijuana found on lettuce truck

A Houston Police Department officer thought he was just making a routine traffic stop Sunday night, instead he found what sounds like the Cheech and Chong of the produce world. Talk about veging out dude!

HPD reports all this went down at the 13400 block of the East Freeway (East Interstate Highway 10) near Market Street about 4:45pm Sunday. Police say the 18-wheeler had both lettuce and 1,995 pounds of mary jane aboard. According to investigators, the cargo of the truck had an estimated street value of $3.1 million. Wow, I didn't know my salad was worth that much cash!

Lettuce and pot are both green...maybe this was an environmental minded haul?

Cops say the driver (and only dude on board) was arrested with a felony possession of marijuana. No word on what lettuce eating vegetarians want to charge him with.

News anchor attacks sports guy's manhood...down there

You always hear stories of TV anchors who despise each other. I think we might have found a good example. Belinda Heggen of Australia’s Ten News puts sports reporter Mark Aiston in his place by insulting him live on television.

Aiston should never talk about 'small' objects because that gave Heggen the opportunity to attack his manhood...you know...down there. Ouch. Talk about George Costanza-like shrinkage factor!

UPDATE
The two actually get along fine...supposedly. (thanks Will-E)

TV crew attacked, KTVT uses killer ratings combo, wig wearing Houston meteorologist? and more

 
RAW VIDEO of FOX40 KTXL Sacramento crew being attacked while trying to shoot story. Click here for another angle of attack.

Two former WFAA dudes team up on CBS 11 KTVT
In the heart of the February "sweeps" ratings period, Tracy Rowlett (WFAA and KTVT) and Troy Dungan (WFAA) joined forces at 10 p.m. on the station that wants to beat their old employer into the ground.

Does TV Houston meteorologist wear a wig?
Does Fox 26 KRIV morning weather anchor Kristi Powers wear a wig?

The first African-American with a regular appearance on Houston television
Johnny Nash Jr., was just 13 when he regularly out-earned his chauffeur father's weekly $60 paychecks with a role on KPRC-TV's variety show Matinee.

KBXX and KROI program director publishes book
Terri Thomas recently published a children’s book, J Mac is the Freestyle King.

KCBS Reporter Serene Branson Tells Erica Hill What Really Happened the Night of the Grammys
Branson sat down with CBS “Early Show”‘s Dr. Jennifer Ashton and Erica Hill to explain what really happened: it was complex migraines. The KCBS reporter said she was “terrified.”
- KCBS 2 reporter Serene Branson's slurred Grammys live shot

Houston reporter close to baby time
FOX 26 KRIV reporter Sally MacDonald is 9 months pregnant and the baby is due on Thursday.

Larry King: CNN ‘Oversold’ Piers Morgan
In an interview with the BBC, former CNN host Larry King was asked about his thoughts on his replacement, Piers Morgan.

Rodeo Uncorked Features Great Food and Wine
The elusive Bob Martin aka the “Accountant to the Stars” makes an appearance sans hat.

Amarillo’s KFDA Set to Broadcast First HD Newscast in West Texas
Amarillo’s KFDA will begin broadcasting its newscasts in HD next week, becoming the first station in the area to do so.

What Bob Iger Values Most In TV’s Digital Future
If there was any doubt as to how Disney CEO Bob Iger sees the changing TV world, it became abundantly clear.
- Disney's interactive group seeks to turn a profit by 2013

Media blamed for misconceptions
Speaker explains portrayal of Muslims in America.

Rodeo hopes to steer visitors to new phone App
Tired of driving around for hours looking for parking spots during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo? There’s an App for that.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KHOU 11's new news director is Philip Bruce
- KIAH 39's Kristy Gillentine to KTRK 13 as web prodcuer
- TV report is a real kick in the Harry Baals legacy as Fort Wayne mayor
- KTXA 21 promo for prime time newscast in DFW
- KHOU 11's Allison Triarsi Cherry Blossom Queen?

New FBI website gives you more tools to help solve cases

Thanks to the new FBI.gov, you too can play pretend field agent. In the Most Wanted section, the site has more tools to help close open cases of suspected murderers, terrorists, bank robbers, and kidnapped and missing individuals:

For the first time, web visitors can go beyond just scanning pages of mug shots—and use search criteria like location, gender, crime type, reward, and even ZIP Codes to help narrow and focus their searches. For example, you can search for fugitives wanted for murder in California. Bear in mind, we have about 600 open cases featured on the website, and cases are removed soon after they are solved. READ MORE

http://www.fbi.gov/wanted

KHOU 11's Allison Triarsi Cherry Blossom Queen?

Someone sent in an alleged photo to me of KHOU 11's Allison Triarsi as the Cherry Blossom Queen in 1994. This after I posted the CBS News story about Triarsi dating correspondent Steve Hartman.

I believe this photo of Allison Triarsi to be the Triarsi of KHOU 11. Triarsi's bio states she is from California. The person in the photo is wearing a California sash. I think it looks like her too...do you?

(Photo courtesy of Cherry Blossom Princess History 1948-2010)

KIAH 39's Kristy Gillentine to KTRK 13 as web prodcuer

Another employee swap has happened between KIAH 39 and KTRK 13. I've been chronicling the recent ones (even more have happened in the past).

The latest is KIAH 39 assignments editor Kristy Gillentine. She's going back to KTRK 13 (yes she was an assignments editor there in the past) to become a web producer.

If you've been reading this blog for anytime, you know I was a web producer at abc13.com. Well Gillentine has the Official Mike McGuff Stamp of Approval (don't believe the unofficial ones). She will be great. As a former newspaper reporter, assignment editor and current social media fanatic...she's got all the bases covered. Gillentine will be like a one person Internet newsroom!

"KTRK has a solid team and I'm glad to be a part of their family again," Gillentine told the mikemcguff.com blog. "This new gig allows me to take my journalism career in a whole new direction and really sink my teeth into the web side of it, which is exciting. Of course, I'm going to miss everyone at KIAH. The people there are so wonderful and talented. I’ll always treasure my time there and be proud of the things we accomplished.”

RELATED
- Mark Garay returns to Houston TV news anchor desk
- Photog Ben Lutman moves down Westpark from KTRK 13 to KIAH 39
- Former KTRK 13 Undercover photographer joins KIAH 39 News

Former NFL player arrested for assault in Houston

 

I thought this might be an exclusive last night...then the Chronicle got in the way hours before my newscast. What can you do?

A former NFL player was arrested this week in Houston on a felony assault charge, but this is not his only brush with the law. His troubles extend to two Houston area counties.

Claude Terrell, 28, was a star player at La Marque High School before rising to the NFL and the St. Louis Rams as an offensive lineman. In 2007, he was released from the team after an assault charge concerning his then wife. This week, he was arrested for assaulting a family member. It's an ordeal cops say lasted seven to eight hours. READ: Former St Louis Rams and La Marque player Claude Terrell arrested for assault in Houston

Send Mike McGuff a news tip for his blog or KIAH 39 news

(Thanks Jennifer)

KHOU 11's new news director is Philip Bruce

UPDATE DECEMBER 09, 2015
Philip Bruce is leaving KHOU 11

As the new KHOU news director position was announced Thursday, I was heading back on I-45 from conducting interviews with Texas City PD on this story. So forgive me to posting this important news late:

Philip Bruce, a television news veteran with more than three decades in broadcasting, is rejoining KHOU-TV where he was an award-winning reporter and Washington Bureau Chief from 1985-1995. Bruce is assuming the role of Executive News Director.

“Philip knows the television news business from all angles – behind the desk and in the trenches,” said Susan McEldoon, KHOU President and General Manager. “His experience in top ten markets is extensive and we are looking forward to his return to Houston and his KHOU family.”

Bruce covered hurricanes, politics and everything in between during his first stint at KHOU. He won awards for a series of reports on Texans returning to Vietnam and took us to war refugee camps in Croatia to see how Houstonians were rescuing orphan babies. Here at home, Bruce gave Houston its first in-depth look at a deadly Mexican drug cult whose victims included a Texas college student.

Besides his years at KHOU, Bruce has an unbroken string of broadcasting experience in such major television markets as Dallas, Washington, DC and Los Angeles. He ran the Washington Bureau for KDFW-TV/Dallas and led an EMMY award winning news team as News Director at KCET-TV/Los Angeles. He also reported for LA’s top rated KTLA-TV “News at Ten.”

Most recently, Bruce has been a deputy national editor and a senior network news manager for NPR (National Public Radio). He also served as Managing Director in charge of NPR West in Culver City, California, which is NPR’s largest broadcast center outside of its home base in Washington, DC. Bruce has been the network’s senior manager in charge of the West, giving him oversight of daily news coverage and personnel in 14 western states, from Texas to Alaska and Hawaii.

Of his impending return to KHOU, Bruce and his wife say they can’t wait.

“We weren’t born here, but we have always considered Houston home,” said Bruce about his move back to the Bayou City with his wife Lorel Kane, a television producer. “Houston has a warm, can-do spirit and professionally this is an incredible news market that’s at the center of most major events. So many stories that break across the country or around the world have a Houston or Texas connection.”

Bruce is a native of northwest Arkansas and earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

He will begin his new role in mid-March.

You might remember that former KHOU 11 news director Keith Connors left Houston last November. He joined WTHR 13 Indianapolis, IN in early January.

UPDATE DECEMBER 09, 2015
Philip Bruce is leaving KHOU 11

RELATED
- KHOU 11 news director Keith Connors leaving in November
- KHOU 11 posts news director opening
- Former KHOU 11 news director Keith Connors joins WTHR 13

TV report is a real kick in the Harry Baals legacy as Fort Wayne mayor

Don Austin of NewsChannel 15 WANE-TV Fort Wayne, Indiana knows how to put together a TV news report has some real cojones. Take his political coverage full of story telling ornaments for example. He doesn't go for the low hanging fruit when it comes to story topics.

When covering the story of Fort Wayne's longest running mayor, Austin punches the politician's name...Harry Baals. Yes, Harry Baals (and Austin does not cheapen it by saying the name in its updated pronunciation that sounds like Bails). Austin treats the name like precious family jewels and says it the original way!

Here is a little extra nugget of information for you...Baals was the mayor of Fort Wayne in the 1930s and 40s. Baals' name was recently put on an online ballot to name a new government building. For some reason, Harry Baals is the front runner when Internet surfers are given the chance to vote. I thought Internet voters were pretty serious folks too.

Turns out, those wimpy officials in Fort Wayne don't have any, because they say even though Baals is tops with voters, that doesn't mean the building should be named after him. Talk about hitting below the belt! At least Baals family supports the idea. They know how important heirlooms are. No word if any of Baals descendants are twins.

I just thought of this, but Keith Olberman may want to rant on his new CurrentTV show about how the teabaggers support Baals.

Those readers of mine in the UK are probably thinking this story is total bollocks. I agree.

(Hat tip to BoingBoing)

KDAF departure, KPRC honor, KHOU on Colbert, TV graphics goofs and more

Sports anchor Desmond Purnell the latest to leave CW33 KDAF
Weeknight sports anchor Desmond Purnell has run out the clock at Dallas-based CW33, informed sources tell unclebarky.com.

KHOU's Vicente Arenas on Colbert Report
Another Houston anchor gets on Comedy Central! (Thanks Krystal)
- KPRC mention on Colbert

Hoffman: Having breakfast with the mayor
It may be good to be the king. But it's "pretty cool" to be the mayor.

WABC Appears Ready to End Ties With Weather Anchor Heidi Jones
FishBowl NY reports Heidi Jones, the weekend weather anchor at WABC/Channel 7 (former KTRK 13 meteorologist), has likely given her last forecast at the station.

Local Radio Legend Recycles Former Career Into Art
David Sadof is one of the most influential names in Houston radio. His show, Lunar Rotation, introduced the city to pretty much every top alternative act when he helmed the mike at KTBZ. But there's a side of Sadof we were completely unaware of--his abilities as a visual artist; particularly in a medium he calls "CDgami."
- David Sadof talks to the Mike McGuff Blog

Kelly Kibler named new President/MM for Clear Channel-Dallas
Current Director of Sales Kelly Kibler succeeds J.D. Freeman as President/Market Manager for the six-station Dallas cluster.

KPRC-TV News Photographer Honored
KPRC-TV news photographer Charles Scott. a 39 year veteran of the television station, was recently honored for his contributions to news.
- Former KPRC meteorologist Bill Bellis to make WFLD weather

Friendswood woman wants another spin on “Wheel of Fortune”
Vanna White has been the letter turning co-host on “Wheel of Fortune” since 1982 and Friendswood’s Anna Horn is very close to taking her job, at least for one day.

HISD board plans TV show on budget cuts
Houston Independent School District officials will go live on television Feb. 21 to take comments and questions on the possible effect of proposed Texas budget cuts.

Vintage treatments for ABC's logo
Some are from the Capital Cities era while others look like late 1960's to early 1970's.

Former Houston resident pleads not guilty to trespassing at Ellen's house
A woman arrested outside Ellen DeGeneres’ Beverly Hills home last week is from Houston and used to work for Blue Moon Investigations, 11 News confirmed.

Spring cartoonist lives beyond the funny pages on new website
After years of appearing almost exclusively in print, a number of popular cartoonists, including Spring’s Bill Hinds, have banded together in the digital age to create a new website called TheCartoonistStudio.com.

TV STATION GRAPHICAL GOOFS
- Have you had a "Godo" Day lately
- It’s the little things that get you noticed

Lara Logan Attacked, Sexually Assaulted In Egypt
CBS News says that correspondent Lara Logan was attacked and sexually assaulted last Friday in Cairo’s Tahrir Square while filming a piece for “60 Minutes.”

Billy Ray Cyrus: 'Hannah Montana' destroyed family
Billy Ray Cyrus says the Disney TV show "Hannah Montana" destroyed his family.

Study questions quality of local site traffic
On average, 55% of the visitors to locally oriented news and information Web sites are neither local nor loyal, but instead are readers from outside of the market and "fly-bys" unlikely to return frequently, according to a new study from Borrell Associates.

Internet-music firm Pandora files for IPO
Company has yet to see a profit, though sales rising sharply.
- Sirius XM not feeling threatened by Pandora

Why managers are often the worst brand builders
You will find that most successful companies hire outside agencies to create and implement their advertising.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Mark Garay returns to Houston TV news anchor desk; 1st time in 3 years
- New KPRC 2 Houston GM is Jerry Martin
- John Thomas Kobos lands anchor gig at KIII 3 Corpus Christi
- KHOU 11 reporter Allison Triarsi dated CBS correspondent - their story revealed
- Former Houston KILT head writes book 'Dead Air--The Rise and Demise of Music Radio'

KTXA 21 promo for prime time newscast in DFW

Tracy Kornet and Keith Garvin do a promo spot for KTXA 21's prime time newscast in Dallas-Fort Worth. Don't let the blurry thumbnail on the above video player scare you away.

RELATED
- KTVT CBS 11 image promo spots
- KTVT CBS 11 morning anchor image promos video

Former Houston KILT head writes book 'Dead Air--The Rise and Demise of Music Radio'

As his bio says, Bill Young served as Director of Programming for KILT AM/FM-Houston from 1966 to 1981. Under Young's 15 year leadership, KILT dominated Houston ratings and achieved national acclaim, including recognition as "Radio Station of the Year" and "Program Director of the Year."

Now he's back to talk about the demise of the radio industry.

In his book, Dead Air--The Rise and Demise of Music Radio Young chronicles, "the brilliant, and at times, outrageous personalities who changed both an industry."

I have not personally read the book, but it is a topic I'm interested in...guess that is pretty obvious if you read my blog. You can read excerpts from the book here.

Dead Air: The Rise and Demise of Music Radio

(Thanks Sid)

KHOU 11 reporter Allison Triarsi dated CBS correspondent - their story revealed

On the Valentine's Day edition of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, we learned that KHOU 11 reporter Allison Triarsi dated CBS features correspondent Steve Hartman 15 years ago. 

Hartman did a story for V-Day about his and Triarsi's love letters...I'm not sure Triarsi's husband was that impressed.

(Thanks Bob)

John Thomas Kobos lands anchor gig at KIII 3 Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi TV is getting a new anchor I'm told. Recent KIII 3 arrival, John Thomas Kobos, will helm the morning newscast.

He previously spent three and a half years in Fresno at KFSN 30. Before that, he was at KALB 5 in Alexandria, LA for two years.

In these markets, John has covered everything from the military (Ft. Polk) and Hurricanes Katrina/Rita to California forest fires, medical marijuana and the gay marriage debate.

Now Houston readers will notice the familiar Kobos last name. That's because his dad is former KTRK 13 reporter and current assistant news director Don Kobos (my former boss).

"As you might expect [I'm] happy he's back in Texas and close to Houston," proud papa Don Kobos told the mikemcguff.com blog.

The elder Kobos is no stranger to this blog. All the way back in 2006, I blogged about a lunch I had at Kahn's Deli in the Rice Village. In that post, I mentioned the fact that Don has a sandwich named after him there!

New KPRC 2 Houston GM is Jerry Martin

We found out today that WXIN Fox 59 general manager Jerry Martin is the new KPRC 2 GM.

“Jerry has a very impressive list of credentials and the staff is looking forward to our first chance to meet him tomorrow," KPRC 2 Vice President/Creative Services Director Mike Guerrieri told the mikemcguff.com blog. "We have a lot of exciting improvements coming to KPRC in the next few weeks that will be very visible to viewers and we’re looking forward to Jerry being a part it”.

The Indianapolis Business Journal reported the news first:

WXIN-TV Channel 59 General Manager Jerry Martin notified staff on Monday that he is leaving the Indianapolis station Feb. 25 to pursue a similar position in Houston.

Martin will join NBC affiliate KPRC, a Post-Newsweek-owned television station, as its general manager.

He has been at WXIN, commonly known as Fox59, for more than six years and helped the station triple its number of hours devoted to local news.

“I’ve worked at a top-10 market before, and it’s a good opportunity to get back into a top-10 market,” Martin said of Houston. “It’s a bittersweet move.” READ MORE

Martin will replace former KPRC 2 general manager Larry Blackerby who left in November 2010 for a new gig with McGraw-Hill Broadcasting at WRTV the ABC-affiliate station in Indianapolis.

So Indianapolis takes a Houston GM, but Houston takes one from there. I guess we are even now.

KCBS 2 reporter Serene Branson's slurred Grammys live shot

The video of KCBS 2 reporter Serene Branson's Grammy live shot is making the rounds today. In the video, Branson introduces her piece but her words become immediatley garbled.

As is the case with the Internet, first it was uploaded and made fun of, then it was believed she suffered a small stroke on live TV. However KCBS says she did not have a stroke, but was checked out by paramedics afterwards.

- Serene Branson (VIDEO): Why Did Reporter Slur Words at Grammys?
- CBS 2's Serene Branson Did Not Have a Stroke During Grammys Report (Video)

(Thanks Bob and Rorschach)

Mark Garay returns to Houston TV news anchor desk; 1st time in 3 years

Mark Garay returned to the anchor desk (a very modern looking one in this case) at KIAH 39 news this past weekend. This was his first anchor gig in nearly three years after leaving KTRK 13.

I was lucky enough to be a reporter on his Saturday show. After working with him for years as a producer, and having him as a guest blogger on mikemcguff.com, it was cool to be standing in the studio with him delivering a report.

"It feels great being back in the saddle, if only for a brief time," Garay told me. "This was a good time to take a break from the other endeavours in my life and return to reporting and anchoring. Once news gets in your blood, it's hard to resist an invitation to come back."

The feedback on his appearances has been very good. Some big names in Houston sent him congrats notices on Facebook.

In the above photo, it's a KTRK reunion with 39 photographer David DeFranchi, Mark and myself.

Mark Garay was filling in for Katishia Cosley, also a KTRK alum, who normally anchors weekends on KIAH 39 news.

San Antonio traffic TV anchors, HABJ, Janice Dean's baby and more

HAPPY V-DAY!


KXXV 25 Waco anchor Bruce Gietzen promo when he was at KTRK 13

Former Houston radio talent Janice Dean has a baby
The world knows Janice Dean as a Fox News meteorologist, but in Houston we know her voice on our radio stations. Well, she just gave birth to a baby boy!

Former CBS11 anchor Suzanne Sena redeploys as Onion News Network's super-vain Brooke Alvarez
Suzanne Sena admittedly can be a bit restless. But she at last may have found her true calling as vainglorious news anchor Brooke Alvarez on IFC's new Onion News Network (9 p.m. central on Fridays).

Photos: HABJ 25th Annual Awards
The Houston Association of Black Journalists 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner, “Lift Every Voice,” was held Friday, February 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Houston.
- INSITE POSE OFF - WHO WINS? GINA GASTON OR JOLANDA JONES?
- THE HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS GALA IN HOUSTON!

Some love for traffic reporters
With Valentine's Day approaching and some of San Antonio's wackiest weather just behind us, what better time to send some overdue love to a group of TV's unsung heroes?

What a TV newsroom looked like in 1990
For one thing, there were no computers around.
- VIDEO: What a TV newsroom looked like in 1993

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee takes on Pepsi Super Bowl ad
An ad for Pepsi Max aired during the Super Bowl 2/6/11 has gotten a mention in a location other than the living rooms of America – Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) took to the floor of the US House of Representatives to criticize the commercial, which she found “demeaning.”

KTEN Denison names Mark Farrell News Content Manager
TV agent Rick Gevers says Farrell previously worked in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio among other places.

Ousted Miss S.A. opens up to ‘Inside Edition’
Ousted Miss San Antonio Domonique Ramirez has given her first national TV interview to syndicated newsmagazine “Inside Edition.”

UH gets new beat writer
Sam Khan took over the Houston Chronicle’s UH sports beat from Steve Campbell. Khan was hired by the Chronicle straight out of college and served as the high school beat writer for the past five-and-a-half years.

New ACL venue opens
Austin City Limits opens its new home Thursday after spending more than 30 years on the University of Texas campus.
- Willie Nelson plays at new ACL Live Moody Theater

The Latest on Gary Cogill’s Movie Making Adventures
It has been four months since award-winning film critic, Gary Cogill, left WFAA-TV, Channel 8 to pursue his dream of making movies.

Angelika replacement to open this summer
City in on talks with Robert Redford's Sundance Cinemas.

Houston-based artists The Art Guys say Morgan Spurlock ripped them off
The Art Guys feel the similarities between their "SUITS" project and director Morgan Spurlock's branded suit from his new product placement documentary "POM Wonderful Presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold" are too strong to be a coincidence.

Urban Television Network finds home
Urban Television Network, a recently opened Houston station, has leased 12,411 square feet of office and warehouse space in Antoine Crossing from Boxer Property Management Corp.

Robert F. Schenkkan, giant in public broadcasting, dies
Robert F. Schenkkan, a founding father and tireless defender of public broadcasting, spent five decades nurturing public radio and television in Austin.

New documentary explores Houston's role was air hockey capital of the universe
It’s a well-guarded secret, but Houston has been the Mecca of competitive air hockey for over thirty years. That’s right: air hockey.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KPRC 2 assistant news director Rick McFarland still at station
- Chris Baker heading to 700 KSEV afternoons
- Syma Chowdhry moves from News 12 New Jersey to WWJ Detroit

Syma Chowdhry moves from News 12 New Jersey to WWJ Detroit

Congrats to mikemcguff.com blog reader Syma Chowdhry who is ready to take over mornings at CBS Detroit:

Syma Chowdhry has been named Morning News Anchor for “First Forecast Mornings,” the daily live program on CBS owned-and-operated WWJ-TV in Detroit. The announcement was made by Tim French, News Producer for the CBS duopoly of WWJ-TV and CW affiliate WKBD-TV.

Chowdhry is anchoring the news segments during the weekday morning program between 5:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m., joining “First Forecast Mornings” meteorologist Lori Pinson and traffic reporter Randy Bhirdo. Chowdhry officially joined WWJ-TV on January 10.

“Our ‘First Forecast’ team is a great group of talented broadcasters and we are fortunate to be able to add an established veteran of Syma’s caliber to our organization,” said French. “She’ll bring a fresh, new dimension to our program with her terrific on-air presence and solid journalistic credentials.”

“First Forecast Mornings” airs from 5:00-7:00 a.m. (ET) on WWJ-TV 62 and from 7:00-9:00 a.m. (ET) on sister station WKBD-TV 50.
Chowdhry comes to WWJ-TV from the “Morning Show” and “Weekend Edition” on News 12 New Jersey, the largest 24-hour regional cable news channel in the country, reaching nearly two million homes in the New York metropolitan area. Prior to News 12, she was an Entertainment Reporter and Producer for The University Network and worked in various on-air and production positions for News 14 Carolina in Raleigh.

An Ocean County, New Jersey native, Chowdhry is a Telly Award-winner and a graduate of Temple University.

WWJ-TV is part of the CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation.

KPRC 2 assistant news director Rick McFarland still at station

A report on the site Newsblues today said that KPRC 2 assistant news director Rick McFarland was leaving the station.

KPRC 2 tells me that is not the case.

"Rick lost his father last week which is why he was not here for the better part of the week, so what a shame to have to read those inaccuracies in addition to his loss on the day he returned to work,"  Mike Guerrieri Vice President/Creative Services Director for KPRC 2 told the mikemcguff.com blog. "I just spoke to Rick and he is here in the building, plans to be here well in the future and is doing well."

As I previously blogged, McFarland just returned to his assistant news director role after being news director for several years. Assistant ND is the job McFarland held for 10 years until he was upped to news director in 2009. According to his online bio, McFarland started at the station in June 1980 in the sports department and has moved up through the years.

Agent Rick Gevers recently reported on his blog that former assistant news director Kathy Williams is leaving the station.

Deborah Collura, the corporate VP of News based in Detroit for Post-Newsweek, has been taking over some duties as the KPRC news director. At least she spoke for KPRC when TVSpy inquired about the bird flip morning anchor Owen Conflenti gave during a morning update in recent weeks.

RELATED
- KPRC 2 news director Rick McFarland steps down to assistant news director
- KPRC 2's assistant ND Kathy Williams leaving the station

KHOU's Noland, KPRC Conflenti, Bill Young on aging DJs, Dis/BELO profits and more

KHOU 11'S Lucy Noland tackles the usual pitfalls of golf’s newcomers
KHOU-TV news anchor Lucy Noland has never settled for mediocre. Not in her career or her recreation.

KPRC 2's Owen Conflenti reacts to bird flipping incident
Tells Ken Hoffman, "I'm sorry to everyone for my offensive gesture on television last week," he said in an e-mail Wednesday. "My actions were careless and unprofessional. I can assure my viewers it will never happen again."

If WFAA Wants To Know About School Closures, They Will Come Find You
No seriously, they will drag you out of the house says D Magazine.

Blueprint for re-thinking and winning in TV News: Joining 2011
Former Tribune Chief Innovation Officer and NewsFix creator Lee Abrams says, "I think we are entering the end of the anchor era. Maybe it’s time to cut the cord, or dramatically re figure how they are used."

Where are they now?
Former Channel 2 morning anchor Pauline Chiou.

"Back in the Day"
by Bill Young, former DJ and PD at KILT Radio: You know you're an Aging Radio DJ when...

New Astros Scoreboard: It's Installed
And it is one big dude.

Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays to step down soon
Mark Mays has informed employees that he plans to relinquish his positions as president and CEO of Clear Channel Communications Inc. soon.

Bob Woodruff Reflects 5 Years after Brain Injury: ‘I couldn’t even say scissor’
I saw Bob Woodruff last Friday at NASA. He looked good...especially considering what he went through in Iraq.

TV COMPANIES MAKING MONEY
- Net income jumped 54% for The Walt Disney Company
- Belo Revenue Up 20%

Austin company apologizes over Super Bowl ad flap
Anger over a Super Bowl ad has an Austin-based company making some changes.

For Current TV, Adding Olbermann Is Way to Gain an Identity
The small cable channel Current TV hopes that Keith Olbermann can do for it what he did for MSNBC: give it a clear identity.

Report: Katie Couric to Stay with CBS Through 2012 Election
If Vegas is taking bets on the matter...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- "KRIV and Barajas mutually agreed to part ways"
- Chris Baker to reveal new radio gig to Mike McGuff soon
- The KUBE 57 Houston gets new website

(Image courtesy of the NY Daily News)

"KRIV and Barajas mutually agreed to part ways"

A KRIV FOX 26 spokesperson confirmed to me after my initial post about Mike Barajas being removed from the station's website that, "KRIV and (anchor Mike) Barajas mutually agreed to part ways.”

It was back on January 16th, that I blogged how Fox 26 KRIV employees told me anchor Mike Barajas was gone. A few days later FOX TV told me he was listed as on vacation. Then the Houston Chronicle's Ken Hoffman found out Barajas was not scheduled to anchor a newscast.

I think anyone who knew something about the TV business could read between the lines on what was really happening.

According to Barajas' online bio, he was with FOX 26 since 1986. He started out as the weekend anchor and was later promoted to anchoring the midday newscast. In 1992, he was promoted to the main newscast FOX 26 News at 9. Before KRIV, Barajas was a reporter for KPRC.

And as I have written before, KTRK 13 anchor Erik Barajas is Mike's nephew. Once again, Houston will only know what it is like to have one Barajas on TV news.

I reached out to Mr. Barajas through an intermediary. Have not heard back from him.

RELATED
- Mike Barajas leaves Fox 26 KRIV?
- FOX: KRIV 26 anchor Mike Barajas is on vacation
- Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas "not scheduled" for newscasts

The KUBE 57 Houston gets new website

Many Channel 57 The KUBE viewers think my blog is the official site of the new UHF Houston station. That's because when you Google "The KUBE Houston" or "KUBE 57" you find my posts on the new station. This is about to end.

THe KUBE 57 has had a website up...really more of a placeholder. That's about to change though. While not totally working 100%, we are starting to see what the finished version of The KUBE's webpage (built on the Drupal CMS) will look like.

http://www.kube57.com/

UPDATE
The KUBE tells me "This is a 'temporary' KUBE 57 site to have information out there and a place for folks to go. Our "full" site will actually launch in March or April."

RELATED
- KUBE-TV channel 57 Houston
- KUBE-TV channel 57 Houston programming schedule
- VIDEO: KUBE channel 57 ID

TV hiring again, TX TV news cold wx coverage, fmr. Chron reporter goes POLITICO and more

Dallas TV weather reporters have easy roadside duty
At least compared to the days of WFAA 8's Valeri Williams.
- WOAI's Beamer’s and Gerard’s late-night snow reports rocked
- TV meterology not an exact science

What your public agencies pay their public faces
Jerome Gray, a former TV anchor (KPRC and KHOU) with no background in public transit, is scheduled to start work as chief spokesman for Metro, earning $170,000 annually.

The state of the TV news industry
The good news is that many other stations are hiring again, in some cases beefing up their staffs. Because 2010 was a good year financially.

Former Houston Chronicle reporter joins POLITICO (Thanks Susan)
The Washington Examiner’s Julie Mason (former Houston Chronicle White House beat) has signed on as a White House blogger for POLITICO’s 44.
- White House Correspondent Julie Mason talks to Mike McGuff

The difference between HD and DT in TV broadcasting
Is there one?

AOL acquires Huffington Post for $315 million
AOL, the online media company that has recently snatched several smaller content firms, has agreed to purchase news blog service The Huffington Post for $315 million, the two companies announced Monday.

Disney Looking Into Cradle for Customers
The Walt Disney Company has started an ambitious and risky march toward the one corner of childhood it does not already dominate: newborns.
- Disney Princesses and the Battle for Your Daughter’s Soul

Super Bowl XLV
- Super Bowl commercials
- Super Bowl XLV Commercials: The 5 Best and 5 Worst
- Super Bowl ad grades
- Fox's Super Bowl broadcast solid
- Super Bowl XLV most-watched TV show ever
- This Super Bowl earns a grade of Big D

Station Web Revenue to Climb 17% in 2011
Online revenue was 6% of stations' gross revenues in 2010.

KVUE reveals “Oprah” replacement
Have you wondered what’s going to happen locally when Oprah Winfrey packs up her powerhouse nationally syndicated talk show and moves it over to her own cable network, OWN?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KTRU Rice Radio to stay on the air through 90.1 KPFT
- Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas "not scheduled" for newscasts
- Top Chef and Just Desserts casting in Houston and Austin, TX

Top Chef and Just Desserts casting in Houston and Austin, TX

The Bravo cable TV network is casting for the ninth season of Top Chef and the second season of Top Chief Just Desserts. It just so happens two casting calls are in Texas - Houston and Austin.

"Top Chef" season nine and “Top Chef Just Desserts” casting calls are as follows:

HOUSTON
Sunday, February 27, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Mark’s American Cuisine
http://www.marks1658.com

AUSTIN
Wednesday, March 2, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Olivia
http://www.olivia-austin.com

According to the network, open calls for pastry chefs, as well as the previously announced “Top Chef” season nine series, will be held in cities across the country starting on February 27.

For additional casting information and to download an application, visit www.BravoTV.com/casting.

UPDATE
Cowell’s “X Factor” to hold Dallas auditions

(Thanks PR Fairy, you're farbulous!)

Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas "not scheduled" for newscasts

UPDATE 2/9
Anchor Mike Barajas off Fox 26 KRIV website

The 'Where is Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas Game' is still being played. You might remember how I originally posted that he was possibly out of the picture, then FOX told me he was on vacation and now the Houston Chronicle's Ken Hoffman continues the game in his latest column's mailbag segment:

What has happened to Mike Barajas on Channel 26? Will he be back?
- Jesse Foroi Jr., Houston

I called Channel 26 and asked, "Is Mike Barajas still with Channel 26?" The answer was, "He is not currently scheduled to be on the newscast." I asked, "What does that mean?" The spokesman said, "I was not told how to interpret that, just what to say when someone asks that question." I will interpret then, but this is merely a guess based on nothing. I think it means Barajas is still on the payroll until some agreement can be worked out. Or he is on personal leave. Who knows? His bio is still on the Channel 26 website, so he's technically still an employee. READ MORE

Glad Hoffman is on the case, I played phone tag with FOX last week.

RELATED
- FOX: KRIV 26 anchor Mike Barajas is on vacation
- Mike Barajas leaves Fox 26 KRIV?

KTRU Rice Radio to stay on the air through 90.1 KPFT

Looks like KTRU Rice Radio is staying on the air and online according to a press release from KPFT:

Pacifica Radio and Rice University announced today that they have reached agreement for Rice’s student-run radio station, KTRU, to broadcast on KPFT’s hybrid digital (HD) 90.1 FM channel. HD broadcasts of KTRU are expected to begin Monday, Feb. 14.

The agreement allows KTRU to continue to broadcast on air in addition to the Internet. KTRU currently broadcasts on 91.7 FM and online at ktru.org. Rice sold the frequency, broadcast tower and license to the University of Houston last year. The sale is before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for approval.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 91.7 transmitter and license will be used to support this development. Rice University President David Leebron said, “This innovative agreement allows our students to continue to serve the Houston community over the airwaves through the advances in technology offered by HD radio.”

KPFT General Manager, Duane Bradley added, “The eclectic offerings of Rice Radio emanating from 90.1 FM HD2 will bring KPFT’s current audience a greatly expanded palette from which to choose.“ READ MORE

RELATED
- 91.7 KTRU Rice Radio step closer to becoming UH's KUHC
- KPFT steps up to help displaced 91.7 KTRU staff

Ozzy Osbourne TV in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio

Everywhere that Ozzy Osbourne plays, a video crew for OzTV follows and produces some pretty high quality behind the scenes segments for YouTube on that city's Scream Tour show.

Above is the Houston video (NSFW). Check out Dallas and San Antonio. Check out my Ozzy Houston show review.

Chris Baker quits, Rowlett and Dungan on KTVT, KPRC number 1? and more

Chris Baker quits as KTLK-FM morning host
Former KPRC and KTRH host and current KTLK-FM morning host Chris Baker quit Wednesday, and will be replaced, at least temporarily, by former KSTP-AM host Bob Davis.
- Chris Baker off 950 KPRC schedule, new show times
- All Chris Baker posts news

Former WFAA8 giants Tracy Rowlett, Troy Dungan will re-emerge for one-night retirement profiles on rival CBS11
Anchor Tracy Rowlett and weathercaster Troy Dungan, longtime members of WFAA8's juggernaut 10 p.m. news team, will be profiled in their retirement years by CBS11 anchor Karen Borta.

Jim Pruett's Guns and Ammo targeted by thieves
Houston radio icon Jim Pruett and his wife Joy Pruett celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary on Feb. 1, but their night ended with a twist when the alarm company of their business called.
- Mike McGuff holds Jim Pruett's Glock
- Rock 101 KLOL's Jim Pruett raps about guns to Mike McGuff

KPRC's Owen Conflenti Shows Who's Number One
This clip is from a Web site called guyism.com, and it stars Houston's own Owen Conflenti.

Film critic Jake Hamilton, 22, has a blast
"If Ryan Seacrest is the next Dick Clark, then Jake Hamilton is the next Ryan Seacrest," says someone interviewed in the article concerning the KRIV 26 movie reviewer.

The Return Of MTV's 'Beavis And Butt-Head'
After several months of whispers and rumors (and a cameo in MTV Films' "Jackass 3D"), it appears as though America's two favorite animated idiots will be returning to your television screen.
- Beavis and Butt-Head return?
- Beavis and Butthead live action movie

Advertisers go on offense with high-stakes Super Bowl commercials
While a good portion of Sunday's Super Bowl XLV audience will wait to see if Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can become the next Brett Favre, others will tune in to see if Roseanne Barr will be the next Betty White.
- Comedian Richard Lewis follows Betty White's lead
- Austin based company to run TV ad during Super Bowl
- The essential difference between DFW and Houston sportscasters
- Hookers headin' for Jerry's Super Bowl sex-arama

CNN's Anderson Cooper beaten in Egypt (video)
Egypt isn’t officially a war zone, but journalists are finding themselves the targets of both protestors and police.

Researchers Show Link Between Local TV News and Cancer
While cell phones, artificial sweeteners, and certain prescription drugs may, according to myriad news reports, cause cancer, it appears that local TV is a significant source of cancer fatalism.

TV marketing that breaks through the clutter
Why is it that some news promos never seem to lose their freshness and others make viewers weary after just a few plays?

Done deal for Texas TV twosome
If you want to be in two, and only two of the many DMAs in the state of Texas, then Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston are the two, if potential audience is what you’re looking for.

Rolling blackouts cause elevator rescues and angers member of Congress

The Texas rolling blackouts have been my guest bloggers today. As you can tell, they are not very reliable and show up when you least expect them.

It started for me at 6am and lasted through around noon. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) says the blackouts lasted 10 to 45 minutes for most and, "The locations and durations are determined by the local utilities. Critical need customers such as hospitals and nursing homes are generally not included." In that case I'm curious if River Oaks was affected.

ERCOT has issued a notice that rotating outages are no longer needed at this time; however, there is a strong possibility that they will be required again Thursday, depending on how quickly the disabled generation units can be returned to service.

The Houston Fire Department emailed me that it responded to 30 elevator rescues Wednesday. Most are believed to have been caused by the power outages. Just to put it into perspective, HFD says it normally responds to two to three elevator rescue calls on an average day.

You caught a glimpse of her last week on the State of the Union broadcasts before President Obama took the stage, and now Congresswoman Sheila Jackson (D-Texas) is shocked over the rolling outages.

The Congresswoman's press people sent me the following statement:

“The Electric Reliability Council of Texas should have thought of better procedures for instituting these blackouts, which have affected the lives of Texas families, their children, and the elderly. I call on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to immediately implement a safer, reliable, and more efficient way of effectuating the outages throughout the state. At some point today, the Houston area had more than 300,000 households without electricity. This mistake by ERCOT is deplorable. In many cases, our school children in Houston have been dismissed from school for the lack of electrical power, forcing their parents to leave their jobs to care for their children. ERCOT failed to relay any information about the blackouts to the public, leaving school districts and parents without ample time to react."

Next time this happens here is what ERCOT wants you to do:

- Limit electricity usage to only that consumption which is absolutely necessary. Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.
- Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
- Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.

Free food at Chick-fil-A Wednesday morning

Chick-fil-A, which my young son calls Chicks-Fay, is giving out free food February 2 (this Wednesday for those who don't believe in calendars) according to the Houston Business Journal:

All guests that morning get a free Spicy Chicken Biscuit, which was added to the menu on Jan. 10.
There’s no purchase necessary to receive the biscuit, which is usually priced at $2.25, and there’s a limit of one free item per customer. READ MORE FOR TIME OFFER

The article says this is to celebrate Groundhog Day. I could care less. It's freakin' free food, that's all I care about. The chain could say Wednesday was Cow Day for all I care...just give us the free food!

Troy Dungan on KTVT?, new KXAS sportscaster, 106.9 The Zone plus more

Troy Dungan to Appear On ... Channel 11? Yes.
Famous, former WFAA 8 weather guy could be on KTVT 11.

Rontina McCann joins KXAS 5 in DFW
WXIX-TV sports reporter Rontina McCann leaves Fox 19 after Tuesday to join the sports staff at NBC’s KXAS-TV (Channel 5) in Dallas. Her Facebook post says she will “do the same same at NBC in Dallas/Fort Worth.”

WOAI weatherman back tonight
Calm down, WOAI TV viewers! After a two week-absence, meteorologist John Gerard is back at News 4.

106.9 The Zone makes music changes
KHPT/Houston tweaks its positioner to become "106.9, The Zone, Houston's Best Alternative Hits," focusing more on '90s Modern Rock hits.

Auditions for 'The Voice' hit Austin
New reality show to air in spring.

Local man hopes to film movie in Katy
Joe Barfield, a local writer in Katy who has written several books, short stories and scripts, is now looking to film a movie in Katy.

My Family TV coming to Houston… but where?
digital channel My Family TV has announced that they have signed affiliation agreements with stations in Detroit, Houston, Fresno, Miami, Key West, Hilton Head, St. George UT and Melbourne FL.

‘Saturday Night Live’ Channels Infamous WNYW Reporter
“Saturday Night Live” channeled New York’s WNYW this weekend, featuring the now-recurring character of over-the-hill reporter Herb Welch.

Former actor stunned by 60 Minutes story
Tucson shooting piece digs up haunting words

Getting around town in style
Congratulations to Fox 26 Senior Web producer Doug Delony and his new cool ride.

Seizing a Moment, Al Jazeera Galvanizes Arab Frustration
The protests rocking the Arab world this week have one thread uniting them: Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based satellite channel whose aggressive coverage has helped propel insurgent emotions from one capital to the next.
- Al Jazeera English Blacked Out Across Most Of U.S.

Austin filmmakers answer history's call
Full length feature shot and edited on iPhone 4

David Carr Is Journalism’s New Superhero in Page One Doc
In an attempt to describe the new age of journalism, The New York Times reporter David Carr coined an acronym: AKTOCA. That’s “All Known Thought, One Click Away.” And he tweeted it.

New show coming to KIAH and KDAF about the classic man
Tribune Broadcasting announced the premiere of a new TV series, "Inside the Vault," hosted by Emmy-winning TV personality and former NFL star Cris Collinsworth. The syndicated, 10-episode season showcases stories, insights and lively conversation that give a wide variety of perspectives on the life of today's classic man.

KDFW Covers Bomb Scare at Super Bowl Stadium
Dallas Fox-affiliate KDFW went into breaking news mode after a suspicious package had been found near Cowboys Stadium, the site of next weekend’s Super Bowl.

In media, it's all about the slash in your job
“Hi, I’m Abbey and I want to be a multimedia journalist-slash-marketing specialist-slash-social media strategist-slash-political guru-slash-blogger extraordinaire.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- TV anchor goes too far with turkey call
- Calling Dr. Love