Rachel McNeill joins 12 News KPNX Phoenix
UPDATE DECEMBER 30, 2018
Rachel McNeill's goodbye video from KPRC 2
UPDATE DECEMBER 19, 2018
KPRC 2 morning anchor Rachel McNeill announced departure date
KPRC 2 anchor Rachel McNeill will say goodbye to Houston; her family will move in January
KPRC 2 morning anchor Rachel McNeill is leaving the station she has called home for a long time.
“Deciding to say goodbye after 17 years with KPRC is one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make," McNeill told mikemcguff.com. "Since coming home to Houston, I’ve been given incredible opportunities and worked with the best of the best."
It's bad news for Houston, but good news for Phoenix as McNeill's husband, Dr. Wayne Franklin, takes on the new challenge of becoming the Chief of Cardiology and Director of Adult Medicine at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
"During that time [at KPRC], I also met and married my very talented husband and we have two handsome boys," McNeill added. "My husband was offered a fantastic opportunity at Phoenix Children’s Hospital that we just could not turn down."
"She will be missed, but we can only wish her and her family the best as they head out to a new adventure in Arizona," KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin said in an email to the staff this morning obtained by mikemcguff.com. "I am sure we will find a time later this year to say goodbye."
And I'm sure that will be a big goodbye!
McNeill was born in Jamaica but moved to Texas at an early age. Her family first lived in Galveston and then at age six, they settled in Houston.
The Cypress Creek High school graduate earned her journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
McNeill started her career as a reporter at KMID Midland-Odessa, KWES 9 Midland-Odessa and WLFL 22 Raleigh, North Carolina.
She moved into the anchor seat at WWL New Orleans. In September of 2001, McNeill arrived at channel 2 where she's been ever since, working her way up to morning anchor.
So will there be any future TV career plans for McNeill out west?
"In 2019, my prime focus will be on my family during this transition," she told me.
Enjoy McNeill while you can. She and her sons won't be moving until January.
SAY GOODBYE TO RACHEL MCNEILL HERE
UPDATE DECEMBER 19, 2018
KPRC 2 morning anchor Rachel McNeill announced departure date
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