2011 Lone Star EMMY nominees list

Here is the most popular .pdf file in Texas television today. Why? It contains the 2011 Lone Star EMMY nominees!

SEE THE LIST

According to the Lone Star EMMY chapter, 2011 was one of its biggest years yet because almost 1,200 entries were submitted for consideration.

Next step, those nominees will find out if they get gold at the 9th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards in Houston on Saturday, November 5. Congrats to all.

RELATED
Past Lone Star EMMY nominees and winners

Women reverse TV news stereotypes in new book

You know him as The Grape, the man with a ton of TV news wisdom at his blog tvnewsgrapevine (I am always linking to his blog on this one). But the man behind the purple mask, Randy Tatano, is also an author.

Tatano, a former reporter and News Director who now works as a network field producer, has taken the old newsroom premise of "never letting the facts get in the way of a good story" and turned it into a novel.

His first book, Rom-Com hits Amazon.com this week in paperback while electronic versions are available via Kindle, Nook, iPhone, iPad and Android.

"In case you couldn't guess, Rom-Com is a romantic comedy," said Tatano. "Even if you're a guy, it's one you'll enjoy, since it is about a television news network. The bottom line plot: four women take over a television network and turn things upside down, reversing the traditional co-anchor pairing of older-man-younger-woman by creating anchor teams with an older woman and a younger man."

Cougars might be a fan of this too.

Tatano added that the book is written with the same brand of sarcasm and warped humor that permeates his blog, so the television industry takes more than a few shots along the way. It's published under his pen name, N.J. Harlow.

Some of his previous publications include a few Star Trek short stories published by Pocket Books, and a collection of sci-fi tales, all published under his own name.

A second book, also set in the world of television news, is in production and scheduled for release in the coming months. So I'm guessing TV management types...watch out!

VIDEO: TMZ's Harvey Levin talks journalistic side of celeb gossip

TMZ has pretty much taken over the Hollywood news world over the last few years. What started out as a website, has morphed into a TV show, live streaming show, satellite radio show...etc.

But you might not know that much about the site. TMZ rose from the ashes of the television show Celebrity Justice which Harvey Levin ran for Time Warner. Levin stayed around and used the staff from that show to start TMZ.

For you journalism junkies, here (embedded above) is Mr. Levin speaking to University of Chicago Law Students. In the talk, Levin lowers the curtain to show us how decisions are made editorially. Believe it or not, Levin wants to show he has a hear and has turned down stories he had a bad feeling about. One of those stories involved a Miss Britney Spears and Michael Jackson.

If you can't get enough of Levin and TMZ, here is a more no holds barred look at the site on the Howard Stern show (NSFW obviously). Click for Part 1 of 3.

Funeral services for Jerry Haynes - "Mr. Peppermint"

The Lone Stare EMMY folks sent this information out today about the funeral service for Jerry Haynes aka "Mr. Peppermint:"

Funeral services for Jerry Haynes, the beloved "Mr. Peppermint." willl be Saturday, October 1 at 3:30 p.m., Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood Road, in Dallas. The public is invited.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Lone Star EMMY Educational Foundation in memory of the Texas TV legend. The foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit entity whose mission is to promote education and media literacy, encourage professional development and recognize the contribution of longtime TV professionals with Silver and Gold Circle recognition.

Mr. Haynes was inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle in 2007.

The foundation's mailing address is P.O. Box 192393, Dallas, TX 75219.

RELATED
- Jerry Haynes' Legacy page
- Jerry Haynes (Mr. Peppermint) remembered in pictures
- Jerry Haynes, 'Mr. Peppermint,' dies at 84
- North Texans share 'Mr. Peppermint' memories on Facebook

Houston TV station broadcasting live through app

Back in the early 2000s, I believe all three of the top Houston TV stations were live streaming at least one newscast to the Internet through Broadcast.com. Then it all ended.

Technology wasn't the reason for the end as much as usage rights issues. Seems commercial actors wanted to be paid for appearing online. Until the means to black out commercials for live broadcasts was figured out, live streaming newscasts was on hiatus.

Now it seems the trend is making a comeback. The most recent Houston station to start the live stream is KHOU 11. Even more noteworthy, the Belo station is live streaming its newscasts through its main station app (available on iPhone and Android platforms). I am unaware of another station doing that at this point.

The difference between the two platforms is you have to press play to start the video on the iOS version which then opens a new window.  On Android, you press play and the video starts in the app screen (pictured here).

For those who like the behind the scenes looks, if you watch the stream before a newscast starts, you might get a chance to see some promos and other stuff (the rest of the time the screen will be dark). I even got a chance to see Gene Norman and his Number tape the last Astrocast of the season (a weather segment that plays in Minute Maid Park during Astros games).  Based on the team's record, probably better I got to see the Astrocast for free at home versus paying for a ballgame ticket.

The station has also launched Facebook pages for its reporters recently and I have seen instances where you can watch a newscast live through those pages (currently I do not see that option available however). The station has something in common with Charlie Sheen, both use Ustream to broadcast to the Net. Maybe I can start dialing the KHOU Ustream account up on my Roku player and watch more promos and Astrocasts (next season that is) in between newscasts.

Great timing by the station, because I've had lots of Californians write in asking if they can watch former KABC anchor Lisa Hernandez when she debuts on KHOU in late October.

KHOU is not the only one sending live newscasts to a potential worldwide audience. KPRC 2 has been live streaming newscasts through its website for a few years now.

Houston radio's Weaver Morrow loses cancer battle

Sad news to report from the Houston radio community as longtime broadcaster Weaver Morrow, 63, has passed away.

"This morning at 5:45 Weaver Morrow passed away," his son Sam posted around the Internet. "He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in February and fell last week. When he was taken to the ER tests found that it was in his throat, esophagus, liver and prostate."

Morrow's Facebook page says he worked 35 years in radio broadcasting at the likes of KRBE, KAUM, WTRG, KOKE, KNUS, KLIF and KQFX. He most recently worked at Sunny 99.1 KODA on the morning show with Dana Tyson from 1991 to 2003.

Morrow's 'about section' on Facebook reads, "Sensitive, but tough, organized but chaotic, weepy at times but manly too, tall but short, fat but yet still thin happy but some how melancoly at the same time. Gosh all fish hooks, I guess you could say I'm just a walking contridiction. But wait, enought about me. What about you? Uhhhh, on second thought never mind about you."

Houston radio and national voice over talent Dave Crockett enjoyed his interactions with Morrow when they worked at the same company.

"When I was doing middays at 93Q during the last months of my contract, I would run into Weaver outside the building on Post Oak on my way up," Crockett told mikemcguff.com. "93Q and Sunny were under the same owner at the time. [Morrow] would be taking a smoke break around 8:30 every morning. He always had a joke and we'd usually talk until he finished his smoke and ride the elevator up together. Weaver would often offer to 'buy me a cup of coffee,' which was free."

Morrow's family is asking donations be made in his honor to the SPCA of Houston. Sam Morrow said at this time there is no plans for a service. UPDATE: I was told a service will be held Friday at 1pm at Copperfield Church on Hwy 6.

(Thanks to everyone who helped with this story)

Houston Chronicle now on iPad

The Houston Chronicle and parent company Hearst announced the paper is now available on the iPad:

The Houston Chronicle has announced today its first ever edition for iPad. Readers can now experience the great content and features from the Houston Chronicle by purchasing a monthly or annual subscription through In-App Purchase on App Store. Current Chronicle paid subscribers have access to the iPad edition immediately through their current subscription, and for new users, access to the iPad edition is free for the first 30 days.

“We see more than a million readers each day accessing our news stories from their mobile device, so we knew it was imperative that we add an app for iPad to our list of choices,” says Jack Sweeney, president and publisher of the Houston Chronicle.

In addition to getting news and information that is specially formatted for iPad's large, high-resolution display, readers will also find exciting interactive features to enhance their daily experience.

Jeff Cohen, executive vice president and editor of the Chronicle, says his staff is ready to take advantage of iPad's full capabilities: “The Chronicle App allows us to give readers the in-depth coverage they expect from the Chronicle, where they want it and when they want it. We’re delighted to add an iPad reading experience to our suite of products that include the largest newspaper in Texas, our award-winning chron.com Web site and our mobile optimized Web sites. We think our readers will appreciate the Chronicle App for its multimedia and interactive features. We will also be able to update stories throughout the day with our staff of more than 200 journalists.”

The Houston Chronicle App features videos, slideshows, panoramic images, live links, interactive traffic and weather, color comics and seven day archives. Readers can also download their favorite articles and view them offline.

The Houston Chronicle App is available at the App Store on iPad, at www.itunes.com/appstore or at www.chron.com/iPad. Monthly subscriptions for $5.99 and annual subscriptions for $59.99 are available through In-App Purchase.

Fox 26 KRIV reporter Andrea Watkins battling breast cancer

You may have noticed Fox 26 KRIV morning reporter Andrea Watkins has been missing lately. Unfortunately it is because she is in a battle with breast cancer. Anchor Melissa Wilson profiles Watkins and her family's fight with the disease:

Andrea Watkins

"I'm such a realist, when I saw that mammogram, I knew," says Watkins, with tears in her eyes. She knew that she had breast cancer and would soon have to begin the fight for her life.

Watkins' husband Severo told FOX 26, "This thing starts, and it's a freight train coming at ya."
Watkins had very small tumors, but several of them. The groups of white dots, called calcifications, were all signs of trouble. When Watkins saw so many of these suspicious areas, she turned to specialists at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for help.

"You take a big breath and say, 'OK! Here we go,'" says Watkins.

Surgeons performed a double mastectomy on Watkins and removed several involved lymph nodes. While Watkins and her husband felt they were in capable medical hands, they realized that cancer does not just affect the patient. It takes a toll on the entire family. READ THE REST

According to the article, Watkins will be returning to work part time. She has been with the station since 1990 when she started as a producer and weekend anchor.

KPRC 2's Jennifer Reyna promoted to anchor

On Monday, KPRC 2 traffic anchor Jennifer Reyna debuted as a news co-anchor on the stations 4:30am newscast along with Owen Conflenti. That show has been solo anchored by Conflenti with meteorologist Anthony Yanez doing the weather since its debut.

The new team didn't waste anytime Monday talking about the new addition and just jumped into the newscast. It appears that traffic is a very small part of Reyna's duties during this show. My favorite part was when Conflenti brought a cardboard cutout of KPRC sports director Randy McIlvoy out during one of Yanez's weather breaks.

So what does this mean for usual morning anchor Lauren Freeman? KPRC viewers hit the station's Facebook page with that question.

"Lauren is still on every weekday from 5-7a," KPRC 2 Vice President/Creative Services Director Mike Guerrieri answered. "Jen's just joining the guys from 4:30-5a."

Reyna's full time anchor gig has happened just as I predicted on 9/15/2009. On that day I blogged that Reyna will follow the path of another former KPRC 2 traffic anchor. You might have heard of this person, it is main Channel 2 anchor Dominique Sachse. It's clear that KPRC management has been giving Reyna time to anchor (the most recent time was filling in for weekend morning anchor Courtney Zavala while she was on maternity leave). Now the bosses are giving Reyna time at anchoring finishing school every weekday morning and letting Conflenti's work rub off on her. As I have mentioned before, Reyna is too popular of a talent, not to promote her to the anchor desk.

The post I mentioned from 2009 was about the new (at the time) @RateReyna Twitter feed. That got me curious, what did the @RateReyna tweet say on the day of her 4:30am anchoring debut:

Dark pink anchor jacket. Eat your heart out Ron Burgundy! Rating: 9.3

Guess that means they liked her anchoring job. Then they can keep watching Reyna on the traffic beat through the morning.

VIDEO: Michael Garfield aka "The High Tech Texan" getting killed by James Franco on ABC's General Hospital

Here is the much talked about scene around here of 950 KPRC's Michael Garfield aka "The High Tech Texan" getting killed by Academy Award nominee James Franco on ABC's General Hospital.

RELATED
- Houston radio host profiled in national magazine
- James Franco kills 950 KPRC's Michael Garfield on ABC's General Hospital
- Michael Garfield aka "The High Tech Texan" vs James Franco on General Hospital details

TV anchor chased by cops, KTRK discredits Perry, WFAA lawsuit plus more

Great spot featuring WFAA 8 anchor Ron Corning with Dale Hansen. Watch the end, Corning is chased by the cops!

WFAA 8 anchor-reporter Debbie Denmon charges the station with discrimination based on her weight
Uncle Barky reports that WFAA 8 anchor-reporter Debbie Denmon has filed a discrimination suit against the Dallas-based station.

KTRK Story Discredits Rick Perry’s Debate Anecdote
Under pressure from GOP rivals at Thursday night’s debate over his support of an HPV vaccine, Texas Governor Rick Perry spoke of his relationship with a woman suffering from cervical cancer–a relationship that was brought to light by Houston’s KTRK.

Fox 26 anchor Melinda Spaulding to be MIA
Fox 26 KRIV anchor Melinda Spaulding is leaving for maternity leave. Congrats.

KVUE picks new co-anchor for morning newscasts
KVUE 24 Weekend sports anchor Bryan Mays has slid into the spot vacated earlier this year by Olga Campos, co-anchoring the station’s “Daybreak” and “Midday” newscasts alongside Melissa Gale.

HISD hires another ex-Chronicle staffer in communications for $85k-plus
Helen Olin, who managed the copy desk at the Houston Chronicle from 2003-2010, is Houston ISD’s new senior manager of communications at a salary of $85,926. (via blogHOUSTON)

The Eagle changes its schedule
FMQB shows us the revised on-air line-up at 97.1 The Eagle KEGL in Dallas - Mornings: Cindy Scull, middays: Chris Ryan, afternoons: Russ Martin, nights: Nikki Sixx, late nights: Angela Chase.
- Is 97.1 The Eagle KEGL full of bull?

More changes coming to 790 KBME?
Houston Media Watch thinks 1560 The Game's John Granato should follow Lance Zierlein to SportsTalk 790 KBME after rumors surface.
- Houston sports talker swag meter
- David Nuno interviews Brad Pitt and Billy Beane for Money Ball

KSAT and WOAI bits
How fresh is KSAT's hour long news and why were WOAI's Randy Beamer and Elsa Ramon on Sunday night?

Everything old is new again
Most of you probably think that updating a story for the web is something new, something that has revolutionized the news business. In reality, multiple story updates through the day is something journalists have been doing for decades.
- The secret of morning TV news people

Astros anniversary keeps broadcaster Brown busy
Bill Brown is wrapping up his 25th season with the Astros with a look to the past and a plaque at the Minute Maid Park press box.

No pants, no service: Paula Deen & hubby turned away from Houston steakhouse
Paula Deen was in Houston recently for the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show, but she didn't get to re-visit the restaurant on her Houston to-do list.

‘Austin City Limits’ offers first look at this season’s broadcast schedule
The legendary PBS show, which is celebrating its 37th season with a move to posh new studios at the foot of the W Austin Hotel and Residences on West Second Street, has released a portion of its lineup.

'Thunder Soul' follows rise of Kashmere rhythm and blues high school band with Jamie Foxx at helm
Jamie Foxx talks "Thunder Soul," a documentary about one of the all-time great high school musical ensembles, the Kashmere High School Stage Band of Houston in the mid-1970s.

'Project Runway' co-host looking for lucky models in San Antonio
"Project Runway" co-host Tim Gunn is coming to San Antonio to dazzle the runway at La Cantera.

From rabbit ears to LCDs: Austin's first TV repairman has seen it all
Bob Bond, who owns Bond's Television & Electronics in Austin, has been working on TVs for so long that when he started, they came in just two colors - black and white.

MOVING
Hema Mullur moves to KDVR in Denver as weekend anchor from KFOX in El Paso where she was the evening anchor. Mullur is represented by Napoli Management Group.

Better late than never...producer Kevin Hirten joins Wayne Dolcefino in the KTRK 13 Undercover office. Former investigative producer Steve Bivens left last year. According to Linkedin, Hirten previously worked for WAVY. My apologies to Mr. Hirten for just now getting this news up.

TVSpy reports WPDE anchor and reporter Mola Lenghi moves from Myrtle Beach to Dallas as he accepts a reporting job at KXAS.

NATIONAL MEDIA
- Pew: 77% Think News Orgs Are Biased
- Jay Carney schools White House reporters
- Lester Holt new host of 'Dateline NBC'
- Another Walter Cronkite at CBS
- Sirius XM vs. HD Radio: The Battle For the Dashboard
- A Big Twist in a Career, but Not Quite a 360
- Bill O’Reilly’s Civil War
- For First Time in 9 Years, All Three Evening Newscasts Grow Viewership
- As 'All My Children' ends, TV soap opera fans mourn

DIGITAL
- What your Facebook profile timeline will look like soon
- How social should a newscast be?
- Pew: One-third surveyed prefer texting to talking
- Online Ad Spend to Overtake TV by 2016

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Jay Michaels named Mix 102.9 KDMX program director
- Houston radio host profiled in national magazine
- KPRC 2 owner says station needs to improve
- mikemcguff.com wins CBS Houston's Most Valuable Blogger contest
- Media circus around Dr. Michael Brown trial
- KENS 5 taking Mayra Moreno from KIAH 39
- Houston Chronicle's MeMo Kyrie O'Connor named interim editor of the San Antonio Express-News
- KIAH 39 debuts new shows for fall season
- KHOU 11's Doug Miller back as TV reporter
- The KUBE 57 fall 2011 TV program schedule
- Fox 26 KRIV weekend anchor job open
- VIDEO: Houston media get lesson from Rice University

What your Facebook profile timeline will look like soon

Here is what your Facebook profile timeline will look like September 29. You'll be able to change the big photo up there. It is called a "Cover" photo. I can imagine people getting really artsy with it.

The timeline all the way back to the start of your account is on the right. This is how you can look at every single action you've ever done or posted on Facebook. Wow. Time to start deleting things for some!

VIDEO: Houston media get lesson from Rice University

Rice sociologist Stephen Klineberg presented a group of local journalists with the Houston Area Survey at the annual luncheon of the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals.

The event was co-sponsored by Multicultural Community Relations in the Office of Public Affairs. Close to 30 people attended the luncheon, including KTRK 13 anchor Art Rascon, KTRK 13 assistant news director Don Kobos, KHOU 11 anchor Vicente Arenas, Senior Editor of the Houston Chronicle George Haj and Vice President and General Manager of Fox 26 D'Artagnan Bebel.

Klineberg talked about the demographic shifts in Houston and the challenges and opportunities those changes may provide.

Fox 26 KRIV weekend anchor job open

More changes on the way at Fox 26 KRIV. Just posted on September 9, was a weekend anchor gig:

Weekend Anchor/Reporter -- Full Time Regular
Work an assigned beat, establish contacts, identify stories of relevance to the community, report live and taped as assigned, work varied shifts with little notice, adhere to newsroom policies about news gathering and fair/accurate reporting/writing. Anchor weekend newscasts and fill-in for other newscasts, as needed, to include story selections, presentations, and executions for those broadcasts. Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or related field required. Minimum three years paid broadcast news experience as reporter or anchor. Must possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and be computer literate. Must be team player with ability to work under pressure.

The KUBE 57 fall 2011 TV program schedule

Here is the The KUBE 57 fall 2011 TV program schedule. I want to offer this since my blog became the place for a time to see what was airing on the new channel 57 when it debuted as The KUBE. Now go watch your favorite show.

Kube Program Grid - Fall 2011

KHOU 11's Doug Miller back as TV reporter

UPDATE APRIL 10, 2016
Doug Miller leaving KHOU 11 after 23 years

KHOU 11's Doug Miller is a big name in Houston. He's been with the station since 1993 after all. Now Miller is back on air at KHOU as a reporter.

Now you are saying to yourself, he's been gone?

Yes, what you might not have realized is Miller has been basically off air for almost five years (although I remember seeing him back for political coverage over the last years). In July of 2007 Miller received a promotion which gave him the Executive Editor title and removed him from reporting on the mean streets of Houston.

"I'm happy to say I'm back on the streets chasing news," Miller told mikemcguff.com. "I couldn't stand sitting in the newsroom all day. I gave up the fancy executive title and started reporting again about a month ago."

There is no bio or photo of Miller up on the KHOU website yet to tip me off about his triumphant TV return, but I started seeing a lot of his bylines on the site all of a sudden so I started asking questions.

According to an old bio that I had to dive into the depths of the Internet to find, Miller has worked as everything from a police reporter to a newspaper editor during his decades of news service in Houston. Breaking into the broadcast biz at age 16, Miller hosted a "Watergate-era" telephone talk show in El Paso. Next it was off to the University of Houston where he reported for several Houston news organizations including 740 KTRH, United Press International's Houston bureau and the Houston Business Journal.

It was as the managing editor of the Houston Business Journal that Miller hit the airwaves of channel 11 doing daily business reports during KHOU's morning newscasts. Guess the bosses were impressed because Miller joined KHOU as a full-time reporter in 1993. He even worked at KHOU's Washington bureau chief where he covered the White House, Capitol Hill and various presidential campaigns.

Just to show that Miller has brains behind those TV ready looks, in 1985 he became the first contestant selected from Houston to appear on the syndicated version of Jeopardy! During four days on the quiz show, he won $16,000. Think about it, that could still be a full year's salary for a small market TV reporter.

This is just the latest change I have been chronicling at KHOU 11...when they will stop...nobody knows.

UPDATE APRIL 10, 2016
Doug Miller leaving KHOU 11 after 23 years


RELATED
- KHOU 11 hires KABC's Lisa Hernandez as main anchor
- KHOU 11 welcomes KABC anchor Lisa Hernandez
- KHOU 11 taps Todd Duplantis for traffic duties
- KIAH 39 staffers jumping to KTRK, KHOU, KRIV

KIAH 39 debuts new shows for fall season

KIAH 39 has let me know it is bringing on some new TV shows to the CW station this fall:

The Bill Cunningham Show takes the 9am slot Monday through Friday.
Dr. Drew's Lifechangers airs 3pm Monday through Friday (SEE SAMPLE).
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia airs 3am and 3:30am Monday through Friday.
Futurama airs Fridays at 4 and 4:30am.
Doug Dog the Bounty Hunters airs Saturdays at 11 and 11:30pm.
Daryl's House airs Saturdays at 1am and 1:30am.
On the Spot airs Sundays at 8:30am.
America's Best Bites airs Sundays at 9:30am.

And an extra note, Eye Opener is starting an hour earlier at 5am Monday through Friday.

As far as CW shows (with marketing text attached):
- Sarah Michelle Gellar makes her return to primetime in Ringer...ranked by a TVGuide.com poll as the #2 "Most Eagerly Anticipated Fall Show". ABC News ranks Ringer #4 on their top ten list beating out HBO, Showtime and NBC. Ringer - Tuesdays at 8pm.
- E! Online wants to "hug the crap out of Hart of Dixie", ranking it among the"Five Fall Shows We Love!" (See attached). The O.C.'s Rachel Bilson is destined to steal the hearts of Houstonians in this charming new show. Hart of Dixie - Mondays at 8mp.
- Thursday nights just got more wicked. Following the CW's popular series The Vampire Diaries, some sultry vixens are making magic with The Secret Circle. From the creators of The Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle - Thursdays at 8pm.
- H8R is a fresh new reality show that brings stars and their haters face to face. Can these celebs convince their haters to love...or at least like them? Host Mario Lopez is on the case. H8R - Wednesdays at 7pm.

*not all of these shows have debuted at the time of this writing, but will by the end of September.

Houston Chronicle's MeMo Kyrie O'Connor named interim editor of the San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Express-News editor Bob Rivard resigned Tuesday and today Hearst, the owner of f the San Antonio Express-News and the Houston Chronicle, announces senior editor Kyrie O'Connor (aka MeMo on the blogs) is taking over in SA...at least on an interim basis:

Kyrie O'Connor, senior editor of the Hearst-owned Houston Chronicle, has been named interim editor of the San Antonio Express-News. Jamie Stockwell, metro editor of the Express-News, has been promoted to managing editor. The announcement was made by Mark Aldam, president of Hearst Newspapers, the parent company of the San Antonio Express-News, and Tom Stephenson, the newspaper’s publisher. The appointments follow the resignation of Robert Rivard, editor and executive vice president of the newspaper.

O’Connor joined the Houston Chronicle in 2003 as deputy managing editor/features, and was later senior editor/features and Texas features editor. At the Chronicle, she wrote a daily memo to her staff about trends in popular culture and discoveries she made about life in Houston. O’Connor eventually turned the memo into “MeMo,” one of the Chronicle's first blogs and, in 2005, won an EPpy award from Editor & Publisher for the effort. She is a regular panelist on NPR's Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me. In 1989, O’Connor joined The Hartford Courant as a copy editor, soon moving into editor roles in the features department and eventually assistant managing editor. There, she led the creation and redesign of many of the newspaper's feature sections. O’Connor began her journalism career at Connecticut’s Bristol Press and later covered the state legislature for a small news service.

Stockwell came to the Express-News in 2007 as an assistant city editor, becoming one of two in charge of the crime team. She was promoted to deputy metro editor in 2008 and metro editor a year later. An award-winning journalist, she began her career at the Washington Post, where for eight years she wrote mostly about criminal justice.

“We are fortunate to have two very talented journalist to assume the leadership of our newsroom in San Antonio,” Aldam said. “Both Kyrie and Jamie have distinguished themselves as award-winning journalists as well as leaders of multi-media innovation. I have high confidence in both of these great news professionals.”

“Bob has had a distinguished career at the Express-News and I have enjoyed working alongside of him for the past 14 years,” Stephenson said. “His passion for news and for the community is second to none, and I wish him nothing but the best as he enters the next chapter of his life.”

“After 35 years as a newspaperman, I have decided to retire as editor and executive vice president-news of the Express-News,” Rivard said. “I look forward to pursuing new opportunities in a new field. As you know, I thought about leaving last year for a position in academia, but ended up staying. This time it’s the right time. It’s been a great honor and experience to hold this position since 1997, but the time has come for new leadership with new energy and new ideas.”

O’Connor graduated cum laude from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Stockwell is a 1999 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

KENS 5 taking Mayra Moreno from KIAH 39

Former KIAH 39 MMJ/reporter Mayra Moreno is heading west down I-10 to KENS 5 in San Antonio. I'm told she will be a reporter/fill-in anchor at the Belo owned station.

The Houston native was one of the first multi-media journalists at KIAH 39 later moving on to be a NewsFix Predator. She started with the CW station in October 2009.

According to her bio, Moreno graduated from the University of Houston and went on to work for a local radio station in Houston covering political and social issues affecting the Hispanic community. She was also a correspondent and Spanish host for Houston's monthly aviation show Houston Airports Today.

She then spent two years working in South Texas as a reporter and associate producer for KRGV-TV before moving back to Houston.

Her last day at KIAH will be October 7th.

I worked with Mayra at KIAH. She was very hard working and always pleasant to be around.

Now KENS 5 and San Antonio might be an adjustment for Moreno.  Just this week two transgender individuals in a convenience store parking had a fistfight next to a KENS live truck.  Is this considered a 'hot mess' like all of those entertainment bloggers like to say?

RELATED
- KIAH 39's Marci Izard and Mayra Moreno return to anchor
- KIAH 39 staffers jumping to KTRK, KHOU, KRIV

Media circus around Dr. Michael Brown trial

Well known Houston hand doctor, Michael Brown, was found not guilty Tuesday of assaulting his wife. Turns out because of a past incident, he could have been locked up if found guilty. Enough about the case though...you can get that anywhere...let's talk about the media circus around the trial!

Turns out the big boys and girls showed up for this one. That's right, ABC's 20/20 rolled into Houston to cover the Dr. Brown trial. I hear they brought in a bunch of cameras, crews and equipment into the Harris County Criminal Justice Center. They take this stuff seriously.

And you know who else takes it seriously? Judge Jim Wallace in the 263rd Criminal Court does. Isiah Carey AKA The Insite blogs that Judge Wallace scolded a Houston reporter during the trial:

Early last week a Houston reporter was admonished by the veteran judge for snapping pictures with a cellphone in court and posting them on Twitter. When that reporter was called up before Judge Wallace the journalist had her arms folded. Judge Wallace immediately told her to uncross her arms.

Wow.

There were also groupies. Not for Doc Brown or even former Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell, but for the TV reporters and lawyers! On the click through, you will notice a photo of a groupie and then look behind him...The figure in the background looks like KIAH 39 NewsFix photographer Mike "Oreo" Sellers back there!

mikemcguff.com wins CBS Houston's Most Valuable Blogger contest

I told you Fox 26 KRIV was my favorite TV station after it promoted my blog during prime time.

And now all of CBS Houston's properties (100.3 KILT-FM, HOT 95-7 KKHH-FM, MIX 96-5 KHMX-FM, Mega 101 FM KLOL, SportsRadio 610 KILT-AM and Talk 650 KIKK-AM) are my favorite radio stations. Why? Because I won my category in the CBS Houston Most Valuable Blogger contest!

I want to thank those that nominated me and you for all of the votes. It means a lot.

I win an Amazon card from CBS, but I think I want more:

- I want free airtime on all of the CBS Houston stations - the mikemcguff.com hour sounds awesome
- Hold Rich Lord's hand while he is reporting from the Houston Texans sidelines
- Have cupcakes with Anna-Megan Raley and Cleverley Stone
- Attend a Justin Bieber concert with Hot 95.7's Kelly Kelly (I will call her 'Lauren') and then make Lady Gaga t-shirts together...like OMG...we're two monsters
- Shop for an Affliction shirt with Kidd Kraddick
- Walk in Pinto Ranch with 100.3 KILT's Cowboy Dave, turn around, then walk across the parking lot to Tasti D-Lite

Enough fun...thanks again.

KPRC 2 owner says station needs to improve

KPRC 2's parent company is Post-Newsweek (and ultimately the Washington Post). In a recent shareholders' meeting Post-Newsweek CEO Alan Frank says his group's largest market station, KPRC Channel 2 is under performing:

Perhaps Frank's biggest challenge - save the rocky economy - was looking for a way to reinvigorate a struggling KPRC in Houston. Showing a slice of humor, he said: "You all know from (Presidential candidate and Texas governor) Rick Perry that Texas is a state that's doing better than most in (these) economic times, and so there's a lot of money to be made, and particularly in Houston, and we were not performing as we might." READ THE REST

I think there is a consensus in the Houston TV community that KPRC 2 has been trying to figure out its identity in the last decade after shedding the tabloidish image it relished in during the late 1990s.

Other interesting notes from Frank featured in this MediaPost article, is that Post-Newsweek stations will extend its station live streaming within the next year and experiment more with social media.

RELATED
- KPRC 2 re-brands controversial Twitter account
- KPRC 2's baby brigade in video/photos

Houston radio host profiled in national magazine

950 KPRC's Michael Garfield aka "The High Tech Texan" is a star on the rise. Above is his entry in ABC Soap In Depth magazine. That's right, not only can you hear Garf on the radio, watch him on TV - now he is at every grocery store checkout aisle across the country!

So why all of the Garfield buzz?

This is the big week of his General Hospital debut on ABC. Garf should start appearing in shows this TUESDAY and continue for the rest of the week. Look for his speaking part with James Franco to air on WEDNESDAY. Set your DVRs.

Houston media is starting to take notice of the big event. Here is an article the Houston Chronicle wrote for the big Garf vs James Franco death scene. We'll have to see what KTRK 13 does for this since that station airs the show.

GH airs from 2p-3p CT on ABC.

RELATED
- Michael Garfield aka "The High Tech Texan" vs James Franco on General Hospital details
- James Franco kills 950 KPRC's Michael Garfield on ABC's General Hospital

Jay Michaels named Mix 102.9 KDMX program director

Clear Channel Dallas made the announcement this afternoon that former Houston, Austin and Dallas radio guy Jay Michaels will be a DJ and program director on Mix 102.9 KDMX in Dallas-Fort Worth:

Dallas, TX: Clear Channel Radio Dallas announced today that Jay Michaels has been named KDMX / Mix 102.9 Program Director, effective immediately.

"We’re thrilled about Jay’s return to DFW. We are looking forward to having his energy and breadth of experience at Mix 102.9 and as part our Dallas cluster,” says Kelly Kibler, President and Market Manager, Clear Channel Radio Dallas.

Patrick Davis, Operation Manager, Clear Channel Radio Dallas, adds “Jay is creative, hard working and very smart. He will be a great addition to our Clear Channel Dallas programming team!”

Michaels, a UT graduate, brings with him 20 years of radio programming experience including stints in Austin, Houston and most recently Norfolk, Virginia. He is also no stranger to Dallas, having been Music Director for KDGE – FM (sister station to KDMX – FM) in the mid-90s.

"I am so excited to be joining the Clear Channel family and returning to Texas to program a heritage radio station like KDMX and its successful digital platforms. Working with Kelly Kibler, Patrick Davis and the entire Dallas team is such an incredible opportunity, I am ready to continue the great work that has been established on Mix 102.9."

In addition to his programming duties, Michaels will host middays from 9am-3pm every weekday. Jay will be in the office and behind the mic on Mix 102.9 this week.

TV crew gets cussed out, KDFW's Gutierrez leaving? plus more

Foul-mouthed longshoreman's TV tirade leads to his arrest
MORE VIDEO
- Ron Jaworski Gaffe: ESPN Announcer Says S-word On Monday Night Football
- News anchor mocks Kardashians (Thanks Murdock)
- Anderson Cooper Goes Spray Tanning with Snooki (Video)
- Star Trek vs. Star Wars according to Captain Kirk

Top 10 things you can do to improve your chances of getting a job that have absolutely nothing to do with your resume tape or the ability to read this run-on sentence without taking a breath
Here are some intangibles that can give you an edge.

100.3 KILT host Greg Thunder was married to Eleanor Mondale
Reports say Eleanor Mondale, the daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale, who died Saturday, had formerly been married to current 100.3 KILT morning man Greg Thunder.

Krystle Gutierrez remains with Fox4, but without a contract and with the freedom to move elsewhere
Fox4 KDFW reporter and substitute anchor Krystle Gutierrez remains with the station for now, but is no longer under contract.

Former KXAS Reporter Grant Stinchfield’s Campaign Covered by Rival Station KDFW
After weeks of speculation about his campaign, former KXAS reporter Grant Stinchfield officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in the Texas 24th district.

Mary Benton gets major promotion
KPRC 2 reporter Mary Benton gets promotion within the NABJ.

Four Points Media sells KEYE, 6 other TV stations for $200 million
Four Points Media Group is selling its seven TV stations, including Austin's KEYE, to Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group for $200 million. KEYE is Austin's CBS affiliate, in addition to delivering Telemundo programming on a digital subchannel.

Houston sports talker ratings
SportsRadio 610 KILT and SportsTalk 790 KBME see jumps.
- PPM Analysis: Dallas and Houston
- KASE, KVET nominated for country station of the year

Why does 97.9 play the same 5 songs during the day?
Houston Media Watch asks the question.

A Conversation With Jena Moreno, Journalist and Filmmaker
Recognizing the power of a few simple squares to bring people together, Jena Moreno, by day an award-winning international business reporter for the Houston Chronicle, set out to make Stitched, her first documentary.

Houston Texan starts his own online sports TV network: Sick of stale commentary
Houston Texans offensive lineman Eric Winston launches new online sports TV network dubbed THEBUS (pronounced Thee-bis). The network's first offering — Not Your Ordinary Sports Show — streaming during every Monday Night Football game.

New monthly newspaper debuts in The Woodlands
Community Impact Newspaper began servicing The Woodlands with its monthly newspaper.

Channel 8’s Nightly Business Report comes to UH
Nightly Business Report will soon have a Houston bureau located at UH’s PBS station. Houston PBS KUHT 8will be partnering with Houston Public Radio 88.7 KUHF in order to provide content to Nightly Business Report by using their established knowledge of the Houston business community.

Texas Exes Hammer LHN in Social Media
The Longhorn Network (LHN) is not a worry now. Football games have gone to “normal” channels, but the Longhorn nation is still fuming. Viewers can’t see the custom pregame shows offered by LHN.

Texas Watchdog's Jennifer Peebles elected president of the Society of Professional Journalists' Houston chapter
Texas Watchdog is proud of deputy editor Jennifer Peebles, who is the new president of the Houston Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

UH models online radio after KTRU
Though UH has two large scale radio stations, COOG Radio will be the university's first and only student run station.

Sundance Film Festival heads to Houston
The Sundance Film Festival will take a leave from the snowy mountaintops of Park City, Utah, to head down to Houston for one night only.

KVIA's Valle and family welcome baby boy
KVIA morning reporter and noontime anchor Stephanie Valle gave birth to a baby boy last week.

Morning News lays off employees as ad decline continues
The Dallas Morning News laid off a reported 38 employees last week as A.H. Belo Corp. contends with a continued decline in advertising revenues.

AND NOW THE WEATHER

Former KTRK 13 meteorologist Heidi Jones pleads guilty to falsely reporting rape
Jones, 38, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two misdemeanor counts of falsely reporting an incident. The judge says she will be sentenced to three years' probation and 350 hours of community service -- the same amount of time prosecutors say police spent looking into her false claims, reports CBS station WCBS.
- Heidi Jones: When TV Weathermen (and Women) Behave Badly

Former KPRC 2 morning meteorologist Chuck George Taking Leave of Absence After On-Air Rambling, Strange Tweets
Tucson CBS affiliate KOLD announced last night that chief meteorologist Chuck George (formerly of KPRC 2) is taking a leave of absence following an incident of on-air rambling and a string of strange Tweets.

Brett Cummins Resigns From KARK Following Bathtub Death of Friend
Brett Cummins, who was found asleep next to the body of a dead man wearing a dog collar has resigned as meteorologist at Little Rock’s KARK.
- What is it With TV Weathermen?

MOVING
KIAH 39 staffers jumping to KTRK, KHOU, KRIV
I found out over the last few weeks that some KIAH 39 staffers have made the jump to other Houston television stations.

KXXV 25 Waco production director Jeff Holder leaves for Farmers Insurance after 17 years, 3 months and 9 days with the Central Texas station.

KTRK 13 lighting director Bruce Aleksander has left the station and is working with a group that updates news sets at television station across the country. You can contact him at tvlightingguy [@] hotmail.com.


NATIONAL MEDIA
- GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS Too Short for Morning TV?
- Anderson Cooper’s Daytime Debut. You Can Exhale, Maury Povich
- Disney Channels Head Carolina Lightcap Resigns Unexpectedly
- Arbitron's new Fall 2011 market rankings are out, with a few big jumps
- Changes in the late talk world
- Celebrities, Politicians and Friends Congratulate Hannity on 10 Years in Syndication
- A 9/11 tribute or an 'Bob Iger for Mayor' ad?
- Heloise continues tradition of helpful hints for 50 years
- Do Women Do Journalism Differently?
- Jon Stewart: Fox News, The Daily Show Aren’t So Different
- Citadel is officially a subsidiary of Cumulus, in a $2.4 billion deal

DIGITAL
- Top 20 Android Apps in the US
- CBS News Disowns Website Over One Measly ‘Steve Jobs Is Dead’ Tweet
- Radio Talent Share Social Media Tips
- 5 ways news sites are using ‘Most Popular’ features
- News Trends Tilt Toward Niche Sites
- TechCrunch editor Arrington out at AOL
- YouTube becomes entertainment destination
- Clear Channel releases Beta version of the more powerful iHeartRadio
- What the Front Pages of the Web Looked Like on 9/11/2001

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KHOU 11 hires KABC's Lisa Hernandez as main anchor
- VIDEO: Anderson Coopers shows he's human; Dr Phil back in Houston
- Group buying site SweetJack launches in Houston and Dallas with radio support
- KHOU 11 welcomes KABC anchor Lisa Hernandez
- Is 97.1 The Eagle KEGL full of bull?
- KPRC 2 reporter Mariza Reyes exits
- KHOU 11 taps Todd Duplantis for traffic duties
- Former KHOU 11 anchor Lucy Noland gets new KNBC newscast
- KPRC 2 re-brands controversial Twitter account
- Michael Garfield aka "The High Tech Texan" vs James Franco on General Hospital details
- KPRC 2's baby brigade in video/photos
- KTRK 13 uses Dave Crockett as voice
- KUHT 8 to air two Houston-area documentaries Stitched, The Film and For the Sake of the Song: The Story of Anderson Fair
- Are Houston Dallas Cowboys fans mad at Fox 26 KRIV?

Are Houston Dallas Cowboys fans mad at Fox 26 KRIV?

Even though the Houston Texans are the city's official NFL team, there are no doubt a lot of Dallas Cowboys fans in H-Town. When I saw this part of David Barron's Houston Chronicle column, I had to wonder if this was going to make those Cowboys fans mad:

The late start is bad news for Cowboys fans. With the Texans in the late-afternoon window, KRIV (Channel 26) will go with Bears-Saints at noon for its only game on a CBS doubleheader weekend. Accordingly, that means Cowboys-49ers at 3:05 p.m. will not air in Houston. READ THE REST

Now the game has come and gone and had what's been called a Holley-wood ending. So are Cowboys fans seeing red instead of royal blue when it comes to Fox 26?

100.3 KILT host Greg Thunder was married to Eleanor Mondale

Corey Foley and Greg Thunder of KILT

Eleanor Mondale, the daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale, died Saturday after a battle with brain cancer. She had been a TV reporter and most recently a radio host at WCCO Minneapolis.

Now for the Houston connection.

Reports say Mondale had formerly been married to current 100.3 KILT morning man Greg Thunder. Thunder was a DJ on KDWB Minneapolis according to a release CBS sent me when he was hired in Houston.

So far I could not find any mention of this on Thunder's KILT related pages. However according to this article, he is in Mexico right now.

Mondale was 51.

RELATED
Hudson and Harrigan replaced by Corey Foley and Greg Thunder on 100.3 KILT

KUHT 8 to air two Houston-area documentaries

KUHT 8 PBS started its Fall Membership Drive this weekend and will debut two Houston-area produced documentaries.

Stitched, The Film, which airs Monday, September 19 at 7 p.m., follows three quilters as they race to complete their entries for Houston's International Quilt Festival. This quirky documentary was produced by University of Houston graduate and Houston Chronicle business reporter, Jenalia Moreno.

For the Sake of the Song: The Story of Anderson Fair tells the story of Houston's legendary music venue, Anderson Fair, which has nurtured some of the most important musical performers and songwriters in the country including Lyle Lovett, Townes Van Zandt and Lucinda Williams. Immediately after the documentary’s broadcast on Wednesday September 21 at 7 p.m., the station will broadcast a live Anderson Fair reunion concert from their studios featuring Lyle Lovett, the Shake Russell Trio and other Anderson Fair musicians.

As for the fundraising, with more than 80% of the station’s $9 million dollar budget coming from community support, the station is hoping these shows will encourage people to donate and help them reach their $425,000 goal for the drive.

To become a member of HoustonPBS call 713-743-8483 or visit www.houstonpbs.org. The drive ends September 30th.

KTRK 13 uses Dave Crockett as voice

KTRK-TV Texas Wild Fires from dave crockett on Vimeo.

Voice sound familiar on this KTRK 13 promo? That's because it is former Houston radio guy Dave E. Crockett (formerly of 93Q KKBQ, 95.7 KIKK, Mix 96.5 KHMX, 107.5 KLDE among others). He's a big time national voice talent...glad he can still make time for us Houston viewers!

RELATED
- Houston rock radio pioneer dumps FM for Web broadcasting - mikemcguff.com exclusive
- Dave E. Crockett talks to Mike McGuff about the state of webcasting
- Dave E. Crockett talks with mikemcguff about newest Houston radio station on the Web - DXSRADIO.com

KPRC 2's baby brigade in video/photos

Nothing stormed the Houston TV news world like the baby train that hit KPRC 2. Now anchor Owen Conflenti shows off the babies of Lauren Freeman, Rachel McNeill, Amy Davis/Joel Eisenbaum, Courtney Zavala and Daniella Guzman.

Lauren's Freeman's son, Harrison, is the oldest of the baby brigade, followed by Amy Davis' son, Jackson Five, Courtney Zavala's son, Andrew James, Rachel McNeill's son, Hudson Pierce, and Daniella Guzman's daughter, Sophia. Sophia is the only girl out of the five babies.
"She is going to have a lot of options for prom dates," laughed Guzman.

You can see even more photos on Mary Benton's blog. Benton has done a great job updating us on what was truly a developing story as the babies arrived.

Michael Garfield aka "The High Tech Texan" vs James Franco on General Hospital details

I told you how 950 KPRC's Michael Garfield aka "The High Tech Texan" is going to get killed by James Franco - Mr. Oz himself on ABC soap General Hospital.

Now we have more details on how you can watch it.

Garfield will appear on three episodes starting to air the week of September 19th. The arc will feature Academy Award winning actor James Franco and will center around the wedding of the characters Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) and Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco).

"I have been a fan of General Hospital since the early 80s, so the opportunity to act on that soundstage filled with so much history was really an incredible experience for me," said Garfield. "Not to mention acting in scenes with James Franco puts a little bit of pressure on you to bring your A game!"

General Hospital airs in Houston on KTRK 13 at 2pm.

It just so happens that I have been watching Mr. Franco on Freaks and Geeks. Yes, the one season show that aired in 1999-2000 and was abruptly cancelled. I think we are recording the shows on IFC. It was a great show and also stars the likes of Seth Rogen and Jason Segel.

KPRC 2 re-brands controversial Twitter account

It appears KPRC 2 has quietly changed the name of its main news Twitter feed from @local2breaking to @KPRCLocal2 (looks like the change was made late last week since there are still retweets from the old account as of September 7th).

That is a wise move in my opinion. If I were calling the shots at Houston's NBC affiliate, I would have made that same call.

For those who do not know, the now infamous @local2breaking account has had some rough moments. There was some strange stuff being tweeted on that account from what I saw - often in all caps just like a TV script. It was so odd, that it inspired @local2faking. Yes, someone actually took the time to parody a local Houston TV station Twitter account. @local2faking's tweets are usually NSFW by the way.

Fake Twitter accounts aside, nothing brought attention to the station like the fictional Liberty County mass graves story from earlier this summer. It has been widely reported that @local2breaking was the source for that story as fact, leading many other media outlets to run with it and then retract it.

Those two things alone are enough to bring a bad brand name to something. Starting off under a new identity is a good move. We'll have to see if the changes are just cosmetic or if they are editorial too.

In full disclosure, I consulted KPRC on its Facebook pages, but not its Twitter accounts.

KIAH 39 staffers jumping to KTRK, KHOU, KRIV

I found out over the last few weeks that some KIAH 39 staffers have made the jump to other Houston television stations.

Damion Smith - KTRK 13

Just when I thought no one was left to remember me at KTRK 13, the station keeps hiring my former KIAH 39 colleagues. The most recent hire is photographer Damion Smith who I worked with at channel 39 on the night shift (photo is of Damion and me working on a story together - thank you Ben Lutman for the snap).

Damion is a great guy, and I'm not just saying that because he is a fellow Baylor University graduate and star basketball player for The Bears. The first times we worked together, the entire conversation on the way to interviews was about BU. He told me things even I didn't even know about the school.

Smith is among several recent hires replacing some of the photogs who have disappeared from the KTRK roster...but that could be a whole separate post and we're keeping things positive and happy right now for Damion. You might also remember how one of the other KIAH night photogs I worked with, Matt Robbins, arrived at KTRK last spring, not to mention an entire list of 39 folks in other positions going to work for The Mouse in Houston. That means I have a bunch of people to eat lunch with still at the 13 Courtyard Cafe.

Previously Smith worked at KCEN in Waco.

Misti Moore - KHOU 11

KIAH 39 producer Misti Moore returned to her old home at KHOU in the same role. She left for KIAH in early 2010, and had been with Belo Houston since 2006.

Unfortunately I did not work with Misti close enough at 39 to have any great stories. Although I used to apparently walk up quietly behind her when she was at her desk and startle her. Moore is not the first to tell me this. I always mention this fact to my wife when she says I walk down the hall too loudly at night and will wake up the kids. My wife does not believe that I am a light walker at work.

Amor Lemus - KRIV 26

I've already told you that KIAH 39 assignments editor Amor Lemus moved up the dial to Fox 26 KRIV in late August. However I hear she is now the morning desk person at KRIV. So PR people, Amor is who you want to target with all of your phone calls to start out the day - just kidding. I should also mention that KIAH 39 assignments desk manager Joe Segura also now works at Fox 26.

As psychic as people think I am - I do not always know when people move jobs in TV news. So you have to let me know.

Houston Chronicle's Chron.com suffers outage

I only mention this because it is a very rare event, but Monday night at 9pm I noticed the Houston Chronicle's website chron.com was offline. Not just the front page, but even individual articles.

Content director of chron.com, Dean Betz, told me the site was up again by 10pm Monday but could not offer me any more details.

Give the guy a break, he is out of town right now. I appreciate him getting back to me so quickly.

I could not find any mention of the outage on chron.com or the paper's Twitter/Facebook accounts. Readers will be ok as long as Style Profile is back.

Former KHOU 11 anchor Lucy Noland gets new KNBC newscast

Former KHOU 11 anchor Lucy Noland is having success at Los Angeles' KNBC. She has been anchoring the 6pm news, and today the NBC owned and operated station announced a new newscast just for Noland:

NBC4 Los Angeles announced today it will add a 30-minute noon newscast to its fall weekday lineup beginning Monday, September 12. "NBC4 News at Noon" will highlight the latest local weather information, health, consumer and lifestyle stories in and around the Los Angeles area. "NBC4 News at Noon" will be a fast-moving blend of the latest breaking news stories and issues that are important to Southern California residents. The newscast will closely link viewers to their community through active participation in the news process and by keeping them informed about latest events and happenings taking place around the Southland.

"NBC4 News at Noon" will be anchored by Lucy Noland, who also anchors the station's 6 PM newscast. In addition, Technology and Social Media Reporter Mekahlo Medina will lead the social media conversation by inviting viewers to actively participate in the coverage of the top stories of the day by connecting with NBC4 on Facebook, Twitter and NBCLA.com.

"The addition of 'NBC4 News at Noon' is another commitment to expanding our local news presence and better serve viewers throughout the entire day," said Vickie Burns, NBC4's Vice President and News Director. "As the second newscast to be added this year, we are positioned to more effectively cover our expansive market and provide the quality, in-depth coverage that matters to the community."

Lucy Noland joined NBC4 as an anchor and reporter in July of this year. Prior to that, she worked for CBS affiliate KHOU-TV in Houston, Texas, where she was the co-anchor of the station's 5 PM and 10 PM weekday newscasts. Noland had been with KHOU since April 2007. For three years before that, Noland was the co-host of "Good Day New York," the morning show at WNYW-TV, the Fox owned-and-operated station in New York. She was born in Saigon, Vietnam, has three children and currently lives in the Los Angeles area.

Medina is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who currently serves as NBC4's technology, social media and community reporter. He joined NBC4 in 2006 and is one of the station's most prolific social networkers, utilizing technology to develop content for the daily newscasts. He has developed two signature franchise segments: "the Trend," a segment that highlights what's trending on social media networks; and, "the Local," a weekly feature about the interesting places and trends in local Southern California communities.

Speaking of KNBC, what other former Houston talent is also at that LA station with Noland?  Click here to find out.

And as I first announced last week, Noland's replacement at the KHOU anchor desk is KABC's Lisa Hernandez. I told you how KABC folks are coming out of the woodwork to talk about how great she is to me. Now, there was another pro-Hernandez email in my inbox today. I told this person, I have never written about a new TV anchor coming to Houston and received so much mail from around the country about how great they are. KHOU 11 must have made a good hire with Lisa Hernandez.

RELATED
- VIDEO: KHOU 11 anchor Lucy Noland says goodbye to Houston
- KHOU 11's Lucy Noland headed to KNBC 4 LA

KHOU 11 taps Todd Duplantis for traffic duties

If you tune into KHOU 11's morning newscast this week and think you are watching Fox 26 KRIV from years ago, don't worry, you can still keep adding that special sauce to your coffee. It's just that former Fox 26 morning reporter Todd Duplantis is filling in on traffic duties.

"It's great to be back on the air in Houston and I'm really enjoying it," Duplantis told mikemcguff.com.

Even Katherine Whaley's fans must realize she needs time off once in a while.

What you might not know is that Duplantis also worked at KHOU 11 a few years ago as an assignments desk editor. Eventually moving to the public relations world where he still really is today. In fact, he just took a new job at the On Target Agency, a full service marketing and advertising agency owned by Scott and Tasha Steiner. Scott was the former sales manager at KRIV.

Now real Duplantis followers will remember his time as a competitor to the MTV crowd. That's right, he was spinning videos on Houston-based Hit Video USA in the 1980s. That was a full video music network that also aired in town on Channel 5. You probably only really could pick it up over the air on Houston's east side though.

Now that I've given you a little Duplantis trivia for your next house party, here is more. Which other former Fox 26 staffer also has had fill-in duties at KHOU 11? Give up? Click here to find out.

VOTE FOR MIKEMCGUFF.COM: Want more Houston media posts? Help this blog win CBS Houston's Most Valuable Blogger Awards 2011 CLICK HERE (you can vote everyday) | Also, you can write me in for the Houston Press' Best of Houston 2011. Go to the end of the list and enter "Best Blogger Mike McGuff" in the "102. Category We Forgot" field.

KPRC 2 reporter Mariza Reyes exits

Heard some rumors that KPRC 2 reporter Mariza Reyes was leaving the station. At the end of last week, those rumors were confirmed when her bio was removed from the station's news team page.

UPDATE DECEMBER 2022
Mariza Mendoza joins News 4 San Antonio and Fox 29 KABB

According to that bio, Reyes joined KPRC in September 2006. She reported for the morning show.

Before Houston, Reyes worked at WLUC-TV in Marquette, Michigan, WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, N.M., KGMB-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii and WSYX-TV in Columbus, Ohio.

Reyes is a DePaul University graduate and was nominated for an Emmy in Columbus. She also won three awards from the Society of Professional Journalists while working in Hawaii. Her family lives in Chicago.

My attempt to reach Reyes was unsuccessful and KPRC declined comment.

Is 97.1 The Eagle KEGL full of bull?

News reports have surfaced that Clear Channel Dallas bought the web url 971TheBull.com recently. Currently that site points to kegl.com, home to rocker 97.1 The Eagle KEGL in Dallas.

Let the theories begin.

Naturally people think this means Clear Channel is flipping the bird to The Eagle and turning it into a country station. This would not be the first time KEGL became another format. In fact in the early 2000s it was flipped to a few other formats before returning to rock.

Another theory is that Clear Channel is sending a message to the new Cumulus Media/Citadel merger - saying don't take on one of our stations or we will crush your country stations 99.5 The Wolf KPLX and “New Country 96.3” KSCS. You know, "don't mess with the bull... you'll get the horns" kind of thing.

As Radio Insight mentions, the newly merged company probably will change one of those country stations to something else since it will now own both. This is Clear Channel saying, don't flip one of those to a format we already have or we'll lasso you down into the dirt (cheap I know, but I'm staying with a rodeo theme here).

Allegedly The Eagle isn't doing so hot in the ratings so it would serve as a sacrificial lamb in this case to protect the better performing Clear Channel formats (92.5 KZPS-FM, 102.1 KDGE-FM, 102.9 KDMX-FM and 106.1 KHKS-FM).

So let's go to Clear Channel directly and get the answer!

"Honestly this sounds like a bunch of Bull to me," Clear Channel Radio-Dallas promotions director Lori McNease told mikemcguff.com.

After that answer, I feel I just lost in the running of the bulls.

Stay tuned.