The changing faces of Houston TV news 2018

If you have the time...you can read through all of the Houston media job changes I tracked through 2018. And there are a lot of them. Ten years ago, I don't think I could have compiled a list anywhere near this size. There are so many changes, that even I can go through it and say, "Oh yeah, I forgot that happened this year!"

JANUARY 2018
- Taisha Walker joins KPRC

- Sofia Ojeda returns to KPRC weekend morning anchor desk

- Anoushah Rasta joins NBC Bay Area

- Janel Forte joins KHOU + new set

- Minerva Pérez Joins NHMC Board of Directors

- Josh Chapin exits KHOU 11

- Brian Collister leaving KXAN Austin

- Noel Ramos promoted to KTMD assistant news director

- Shelley Childers joins KTRK abc13

- Dave Ward named grand marshal of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parade

- Mayor names Mary Benton interim press secretary

- Wayne Dolcefino joins Quanell X on FOX 26's 'FOX Faceoff'

FEBRUARY 2018
- KENS 5 traffic anchor Chelsey Hernandez joins KTRK abc13 as a consumer reporter

- Houston TV journalists strike out on their own, and open up to mikemcguff.com about making money, including turning on a paywall

- WFMZ 69 News Lehigh Valley, PA reporter Maria Salazar joins FOX 26 as a general assignment reporter

- WCBS New York reporter Jessica Borg joins KHOU 11

- Former KPRC 2 reporter Jennifer Bauer reports from scene of horrible Florida high school shooting

- FOX 26 KRIV reporter Stephen Morgan filled-in as the meteorologist

- Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

- Owen Conflenti announces baby

MARCH 2018
- Former KLOL Personality Dayna Steele Wins Texas Democratic Primary

- Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13

- Houston Mayor Sylvester appoints former KPRC 2 reporter Mary Benton press secretary

- Kitirik, 86, still in the hearts of Houston TV viewers

- KHOU GM Susan McEldoon announces retirement

- Levi Ismail joins KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's new station address will be 5718 Westheimer - between Chimney Rock and Bering

APRIL 2018
- David Gonzalez joins KHOU 11

- Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13

- Brittany Jeffers joins KPRC 2

- Branch Davidian standoff remembered by Texas TV journalists who were there

- Lisa Vaughn exits FOX 26 KRIV

- New KHOU 11 graphics 2018

- 2018 Texas RTDNA Regional Murrow Award winners

MAY 2018
- CW 39 KIAH NewsFix's Natalie Hee joins FOX 26 KRIV as a reporter

- KHOU 11's investigative reporter Scott Noll leaves station for new job

- Dave Ward’s year since leaving channel 13

-Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract

- Two Houston DJs And Two Precinct 1 Constables Spend Three Days Homeless On Streets of Houston

- Don Nelson recalls his Rockets head shave

- Is that Fox 26's Mike Iscovitz or Eddie Van Halen?

- 10pm newscast producer Sindy Espinoza moves up to Executive Producer

- Ken Hoffman #4 Houston Chronicle columnist?

- Telemundo Houston travelling to Russia for World Cup 2018

- Harris County jurors get Dave Ward appearance

- KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate is runner up for Texas in 2018 HAIRRY Awards

- KHOU 11 demolition photos

- KPRC 2 assistant news director Mike Friedrich is making a career pivot

- A 101 KLOL video podcast by the mastermind behind the legendary Houston rock station

JUNE 2018
- Kevin Quinn leaves KTRK 13, joins Harris County Precinct 1

- KHOU 11's Melissa Correa opens up about her mental health

- Director of social media production

- Jake Reiner leaving KPRC 2

- Darby Douglas exits KHOU 11

- 2018 Lone Star Awards announced by Houston Press Club

- Colorado Securities Commissioner Gerald Rome

- KPRC's Sara Donchey is expecting

- KLOL would get ratted out by the Houston Chronicle in the 1970s

- Thanks to KPRC 2 for covering my mom's Alzheimer's story

- Jennifer Reyna is not leaving KPRC 2; has a new Facebook page

- KPRC 'Houston Life' changes coming

- Charly Edsitty joins abc13 KTRK

JULY 2018
- Tim Heller to leave abc13 KTRK in January 2019

- Where is Greg Bailey on abc13 KTRK?

- Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2

- Bobby Springer new KHOU 11 station manager

- TV talent fashion advice from the pros

- Former Houston journalists start “What’s Left America” podcast

- Aaron Wische named KPRC 2 Assistant News Director

- David Paul's new haircut was a happy accident

AUGUST 2018
- Doug Miller named Rice University director of news and media relations

- Telemundo Houston's Martín Berlanga to leave KTMD

- Butch Alsandor & Jorge Vargas to call TSU football on AT&T SportsNet

- Katherine Marchand joins abc13 KTRK

- 'Dave Ward's Houston' to launch on abc13 KTRK

- KPRC 2's new dog, Tex, joins Houston Life

- Sara Donchey has her baby

- Lina De Florias joins FOX 26

- Good news for Greg Bailey!

- abc13 KTRK to debut 3pm newscast

- KHOU 11 reveals what happened during Harvey evacuation

- Sherry Williams is leaving KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's Sherry Williams joins HISD


SEPTEMBER 2018
- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 inductees

- Frank Billingsley diagnosed with prostate cancer

- Former KIAH GM Roger Bare to head Bayou City Art Festivals

- NewsFix and morning dose cancelled by Tribune

- Former Houston TV staffers land gigs in Florida

- Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2

- NewsFix signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News

- KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora calls it a career after 38 years

- Former KHOU photographer lives "Life Below Zero"

- Tom Zizka moving to weekends

- KTXH bringing back that 20 Vision feeling

- 'Wake Up! With SallyMac & Lina' debuts Monday on FOX 26 KRIV

- Telemundo Houston and Entercom radio team up

- In 'Santa Fe Strong,' KHOU follows the high school football team after shooting tragedy

- KHOU Avenida Studio in downtown Houston debuts


OCTOBER 2018
- Leigh Frillici signs off from KPRC 2

- Greg Bailey returns to KTRK...again

- Erica Simon is pregnant

- Michelle Margaux will serve as in-game reporter for Houston Rockets games

- Foti Kallergis leaves abc13 KTRK for PR role

- Darby Douglas gets a new grandson

- Houston Chronicle editor Nancy Barnes named NPR's SVP of News and Editorial Director

- CW 39's Maggie Flecknoe is a survivor

- Alejandro Mendoza joins Telemundo Houston KTMD

- KHOU 11's Ron Trevino is married!

- Sharron Melton returns to Houston TV on CW 39 KIAH

- Adam Clanton and Theresa from The Buzz have a baby

- TJ Parker joins abc13 KTRK

NOVEMBER 2018
- Jerry Vazquez on the rise of Telemundo Houston

- Stefania Okolie joins abc13 KTRK

- Lindsey Day joins CW 39 KIAH Morning Dose

- Stephanie Simmons joins KHOU 11

- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 highlight videos

- Why Ilona Carson is no longer on the 10pm news

- Don Kobos honored in Lone Star EMMY Chapter Silver Circle

- Samica Knight returns to abc13 KTRK

- Dave Ward announces new book 'Good Evening, Friends'

- iHeartMedia Houston and the Houston Astros extend partnership

- Telemundo Houston takes home 15 Lone Star EMMYS

- InnovationMap launches from Gow Media

- Natasha Barrett joins city of Baytown

- Christine Noël joins KPRC 2

- WFAA's Carolyn Mungo News Director of the Year 2018

- Univision 45 November 2018 sweeps victories

- Telemundo Houston releases November 2018 sweeps wins

- Lainie Fritz gets her ring

- Lance Roberts rejoins 700 KSEV

- VIDEO: KHOU 11 returns to air during Hurricane Harvey

- Craig Hlavaty leaves Houston Chronicle for HMNS


DECEMBER 2018
- Carlos Robles promoted to Telemundo Houston chief meteorologist

- Frank Billingsley announces he is cancer free

- Chelsey Hernandez appears in new movie

- Hannah Trippett joins CW39 KIAH's 'Morning Dose'

- KPRC 2 celebrates 70th anniversary as Houston's first station

- Rachel McNeill officially signs off KPRC 2

- The Brooks Garner baby is here

- Steve Simon returns to CW39 KIAH as news director

- Trey Serna returns to CW39 as senior producer and talent

- Rachel Briers joins abc13 KTRK

Rachel McNeill's goodbye video from KPRC 2

The staff of KPRC 2 gives a great send off to morning anchor Rachel McNeill as she leaves the station for Phoenix, Arizona with her family.

Top Houston media stories 2018

Top mikemcguff blog posts for 2018 by your clicks

Darby Douglas

Here are the top Houston media stories of 2018 by page views on mikemcguff.com. So that means you decided this list by clicking on these posts the most throughout the year.

 Now these posts are only from 2018. I have some other posts and pages that show up in my top 10 posts for the year, but were not written in 2018, so I throw those out - like my Houston news headlines page. Another post, this one from 2016, that showed up in '18 is the 93Q Morning Zoo's Erica Rico and Tim Tuttle wedding post.

So as Casey Kasem use to say, "Let the countdown begin!"

10. Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2
7NEWS KMGH Denver reporter Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2 as a reporter.

9. Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2
KPRC 2 4pm anchor Sara Donchey is no longer with the station.

8. Where is Greg Bailey on abc13 KTRK?
Greg Bailey explains his absence from abc13 KTRK sports desk.

7. Owen Conflenti announces baby
KPRC 2 morning anchor Owen Conflenti now has a baby daughter!

6. KHOU 11 blowing up its morning show post Darby Douglas?
The story to watch right now is the KHOU 11 morning show rebirth - which ended up being #HTownRush.
UPDATE: Stephanie Simmons to join KHOU 11 as traffic anchor/reporter from KCBS 2 Los Angeles

5. Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13
abc 13 KTRK weekend anchor Natasha Barrett has left abc13 KTRK.
UPDATE: See where Natasha Barrett works now

4. Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13
After 15 years, KTRK abc13 reporter Kevin Quinn resigns from the station he's called home for a long time - but he's not the only one leaving.
UPDATE: See where Kevin Quinn works now

3. Rachel McNeill leaving KPRC 2
KPRC 2 anchor Rachel McNeill will say goodbye to Houston; her family will move in January.

2. Kitirik, 86, still in the hearts of Houston TV viewers
Bunny Orsak, aka KTRK 13's "Kitirik" has luck on her side - Dan Lovett catches up with her and reports back to us.

AND THE NUMBER ONE POST FOR 2018...

1. Darby Douglas exits KHOU 11
Darby Douglas tells me about KHOU: "I hope our paths cross once again. I’m already missing it!"


Comment about the 2019 top Houston media stories here

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Rachel Briers joins abc13 KTRK

Rachel Briers joins abc13 KTRK as a meteorologist after NewsWest 9 KWES Midland-Odessa in December 2018.

She left KWES in early October after a little more than two years.

"In true West TX fashion, my husband and I will be moving to Houston to continue my husband’s career in the oil business," Briers posted on Facebook at the time. "We are so excited to see what the future holds for us and I will definitely update you all on what life brings!"

Before KWES, Briers worked at KLBK in Lubbock as the weekday evening meteorologist.

The Plano native graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Atmospheric Sciences.

She interned at WFAA DFW and KBTX Bryan-College Station.

* While no formal announcement was made, Briers appears to have replaced newly named Chief Forecaster David Tillman on channel 13's weekend evening newscasts. In his new role as of January 2019, Tillman now works on the station's weekday 11am and 4pm Eyewitness News newscasts.



*This post has been updated with new information.

Trey Serna returns to CW39 as senior producer and talent

Former CW39 KIAH supervising producer Trey Serna has returned to the Tribune (soon to be Nexstar) owned station's Morning Dose.

"I'm thrilled to announce that I'm going back to CW 39 and joining the team of 'Morning Dose' as the new Senior Producer, but this time, I'm going to be jumping in front of the camera," Serna posted on Instagram. "I am beyond excited that I am going to have a part in the overall vision of the show, and be able to tell and bring stories to viewers throughout the Houston area."

Serna was on the air this morning reading the Morning Essentials segment a reader has told me.

Back in 2015, the then NewsFix producer left the station after four years and joined the education world. Serna worked in a communications role for the Sheldon and Fort Bend school districts.

He got his start in the TV news world back in 2008 at KRGV in Weslaco.

RELATED
Steve Simon returns to CW39 KIAH as news director

24-hour Spanish Language Format Service for Broadcast Radio

SuiteRadio Teams up with Lazer Broadcasting Corporation to Supply Top-40 Regional Mexican Hits Format



Houston, Texas (SuiteRadio LLC) December 2018 – Now, broadcast owner/operators everywhere have a new, viable option that enables them to efficiently program live-hosted Spanish language radio in their local market. Lazer Broadcasting Corporation, headquartered in Oxnard, California, and SuiteRadio LLC of Houston have teamed up in a joint syndication agreement to offer Lazer Broadcasting’s “Radio Lazer” format for 24-hour local affiliation service represented exclusively through Envision Networks® based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Radio Lazer, now part of Envision 24/7 Network offerings, is a modern Regional Mexican format playing today’s most popular songs in a Top-40 environment. The artists are all superstars and the music is designed to be familiar and approachable, so the listeners are never too far away from hearing their favorite song. You could say that Radio Lazer plays the “Kenny Chesney’s,” “Faith Hill’s” and “Rascal Flatts’” of Spanish Radio. The Radio Lazer format is family and female friendly with personalities that appeal to a broad base of Latino consumers between the ages of 18 and 49.

Radio Lazer is the latest addition to the SuiteRadio roster of 24-hour broadcast formats www.suiteradio.net.

Joshua Mednick, COO of Lazer Broadcasting said, “For a while now, Lazer Broadcasting has been looking for the proper outlet to make our programming available to broadcasters across the U.S. We believe that SuiteRadio is the perfect partner. Pat and his team are terrific to work with and their technology and flexible delivery system make it so easy for both the content creator and the end-user.”

Pat Fant, SuiteRadio COO, commented, “Our SuiteRadio crew is thrilled to be working with such a successful broadcaster in this highly sought-after market segment. No one executes Regional Mexican better than Lazer Broadcasting.”

The “Radio Lazer” format is the first of three Spanish language music formats that Lazer Broadcasting plans to make available through SuiteRadio. Broadcasters looking to create a strong Spanish Language radio station, that are not equipped locally to engage in this marketplace, need to take a close look at the Radio Lazer format on SuiteRadio.”

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

Houston-based RFC Media partners with Envision Networks

Live hosted 24-hour radio formats join the Envision 24/7 Networks lineup

Pat Fant

(December 2018) – SuiteRadio’s live hosted 24-hour radio formats that reach a wide audience of Hot AC, Alternative, Classic Rock, Country and soon Spanish language listeners has partnered with Envision Networks® to offer a variety of formats with radio’s best-known voice talents.

Envision Networks will market and syndicate SuiteRadio’s formats to radio stations across the US and Canada.

“Our entire staff of radio over-achievers at SuiteRadio could not be more excited about joining Envision Networks to grow the affiliate base for our hand-crafted 24-hour broadcast properties. And with more 24-hour formats to announce, with more top talent behind the mic, the timing is perfect for Envision Networks to be ready to supply broadcasters with exactly what they need to win,” said Pat Fant, COO for SuiteRadio.


SuiteRadio’s formats supply an all-star lineup of on-air talent:

The Planet – Featuring on-air radio pros’ Maria Todd, Atom Smasher and Mark Carrillo, The Planet plays today’s biggest and best Hot AC artists. Targets adults 25-44 and is perfect for work listening. Core artists include Adele, Maroon 5 and Bruno Mars.

The Revolution – With Steve Robison, Pam Kelly and Keegan Lucas behind the mic, The Revolution features fresh, upbeat, hit-driven Alternative that targets active 18-34 adults. Core artists include Twenty One Pilots, Green Day and The Foo Fighters.

The Rock – Outlaw Dave, Donna McKenzie and Ray Koob turn it up on The Rock. A multi-generational format built on the greatest rock songs of the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Core artists include Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.

The Brand – With Brian Hatfield, Pam Kelly, Rowdy Yates and Tommy Jordan living Country and knowing The Brand, they offer a fresh presentation of today’s biggest country hits and stars. Remarkably cutting edge and unapologetically country, core artists include Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

“Radio continues to diversify and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for teams in markets to program and manage all the radio stations in their cluster,” said Envision Networks’ CEO/President, Danno Wolkoff. “Now that SuiteRadio’s hosted formats are joining our lineup, we’re excited that we can help any market reach the audience that they want to target with minimal use of local resources.”

The SuiteRadio formats already broadcast on stations across the country so bring one or more to your market before someone else does.

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

Steve Simon returns to CW39 KIAH as news director

After leaving Houston for Dallas, Steve Simon has returned to CW39 KIAH as news director for the new local version of Morning Dose with Sharron Melton (formerly of abc13 KTRK).

"Yes , I’m back," Simon told mikemcguff.com. "News Director at the place I first walked in many years ago. Glad to be back in Houston."

No doubt, Simon has a history with the currently-owned Tribune owned station (soon to be a Nexstar Media Group after being sold).

Back in 2013, you might have read on my blog, that Simon was leaving KIAH where he was at the time serving as NewsFix executive producer, to expand the anchor-less newscast as news director for sister-station KDAF Dallas.

Now Simon has returned to where he started in Houston as an anchor/reporter back in the KHWB 39 days when the station re-booted its newscast in 2000.

Before H-Town, Simon worked at WSVN Miami, WHNT Huntsville, Alabama, WCMH Columbus, Ohio and WFXL Albany, Georgia. He is a graduate of the University of Texas and earned a masters in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

I was curious if Simon would bring back his award-winning commentary segment, Simon Says. He tells me at this point that is not in the plans as his focus is making the station's new local morning show the best that it can be.

By the way, TV newsers and KPRC 2 viewers will definitely recognize Simon's wife, former channel 2 anchor/reporter Lisa Baldwin.

The Brooks Garner baby is here

UPDATE MAY 2021 
Brooks Garner joins FOX 35 WOFL Orlando

UPDATED FEBRUARY 06, 2019
Brooks Garner gone from KHOU 11

Back in July, I told you how KHOU 11 meteorologist Brooks Garner and his wife, Erica, were preparing for a Christmas baby.

Well just shy a few days from the holiday, the baby is here!

"Welcoming Miss Scarlett Brooks," Garner posted on Facebook. "She was born this morning, December 19th, weighing 8lbs, 7oz and had a length of 21". Everyone’s healthy and happy. We are so grateful all around! My wife Erica honored me with choosing that middle name but the real privilege for me is getting to be this girl’s daddy!"

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Catch Rachel McNeill on KPRC 2 in 2018 while you can!

UPDATE DECEMBER 30, 2018
Rachel McNeill's goodbye video from KPRC 2

View this post on Instagram

This Friday- Tune in for my Fabulous Farewell from @kprc2. Due to holiday vacation schedules, it’s the last day the Morning Team will all be together. My official last day is Dec. 28th. I’m leaving #Htown for #thevalleyofthesun ☀️

A post shared by KPRC2 Rachel (@kprc2rachel) on Dec 19, 2018 at 5:34am PST

Today, KPRC 2 morning anchor Rachel McNeill has let us know some important dates concerning her departure from the Houston NBC affiliate.

"This Friday- Tune in for my Fabulous Farewell from @kprc2," McNeill posted on Instagram. "Due to holiday vacation schedules, it’s the last day the Morning Team will all be together. My official last day is Dec. 28th. I’m leaving #Htown for #thevalleyofthesun."

Back in July, when I helped break the news of McNeill's impending Houston goodbye, we only knew that she would be moving in January.

“Deciding to say goodbye after 17 years with KPRC is one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make," McNeill told mikemcguff.com last summer. "Since coming home to Houston, I’ve been given incredible opportunities and worked with the best of the best."

The popular Houston TV anchor is moving because her husband, Dr. Wayne Franklin, is the new Chief of Cardiology and Director of Adult Medicine at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Say goodbye to Rachel here.

KPRC 2 celebrates 70th anniversary as Houston's first station

December 19, 2018 – HOUSTON, TX – On January 1, KPRC Channel 2 celebrates its 70th anniversary as the first television station in Houston. The on-air celebration of our past, present and future will begin on Thursday, December 20 and extend throughout the month of January.



The celebration will highlight KPRC’s 70 years in Houston on-air as well as on all digital platforms, including a special 70th anniversary section on Click2Houston.com. On-air highlights include historic news stories, remembrances and some surprise guests from our illustrious past.



Of course, one of KPRC’s most historic firsts was working with NASA to broadcast Neil Armstrong becoming the first human to step on the moon during the Apollo 11 spaceflight on July 20, 1969.



Among the many firsts for KPRC-TV...

· The first Houston television station to hire female reporters

· The first Houston television station to use weather radar

· The first Houston television station to go “live” from the scene

· The first Houston television station to hire African-American reporters

· The first Houston television station to hire female sportscasters



Originally signing on as KLEE-TV, the station’s call letters were changed to KPRC – Kotton Port Rail Center – a reference to a major portion of Houston’s business at the time. Purchased by the Hobby family in 1950, KPRC went on to become the first television station in Houston to broadcast color pictures as part of the NBC television network in 1955.



“As Houston’s first television station, we are proud to take a moment to look back on the trails we’ve blazed, celebrate the people who got us here, and set our sights on the future” said KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin. “We look forward to celebrating many more years of service to our Houston community.”

KPRC Channel 2 is the NBC affiliate for Houston, TX. The station is owned by The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) and is one of seven in the television division along with WDIV Detroit, WKMG Orlando, KSAT San Antonio, WSLS Roanoke and WJXT & WCWJ in Jacksonville. KPRC has long been an innovator as the first television station in Houston and the 12th in the nation. KPRC was the first in Houston to broadcast in color and the station that beamed Neil Armstrong’s famous words “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” across the world. KPRC’s innovative spirit continues to this day through communications advances and community partnerships. Other KPRC properties include Click2Houston.com and MeTV.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by KPRC)

Cox Houston stations raise over $625,000 for Texas Children’s Hospital

HOUSTON – (December 17, 2018) – Cox Media Group Houston stations: The New 93Q, Country Legends 97.1 and 106.9 & 107.5 Houston’s Eagle executed its 15 th Annual Radiothon on December 13th and 14th , generating $625,674 for the benefit of Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH).

“The outpouring of support our listeners give each year is immeasurable; this year was no different,” said CMG Houston VP and Market Manager, Mark Krieschen. “Our employees are inspired by the courage of the children, their families, and the professionals of TCH.”

The marathon broadcast featured interviews with TCH doctors, patients and their families - encouraging Houstonians to donate to TCH. Funds raised will directly benefit pediatric cancer research, patient care and education.

"Giving back to our community means more to everyone at CMG Houston than just about anything else we do. Our on-air talent and behind-the-scenes crew worked 30+ hours over two days, fighting through fatigue, tears, and pain, to help raise money for pediatric research and care,” said CMG Houston Director of Operations, Johnny Chiang. “Today, TCH patients and their families are a little better off because of my team, and there are no words to describe how proud I am of them.”

Houston #TVnews anchors are fashion twins

View this post on Instagram

‪Different stations, same dress 💙 ‬ ‪Love this gorgeous lady from @kprc2 and this awesome dress from @renttherunway! ‬ ‪#HTownRush #twinning #RentTheRunway #DonnaMorgan #Houston ‬#fashion #fashiontwins @donnamorgan_nyc

A post shared by Brandi Smith (@iambrandismith) on Dec 12, 2018 at 5:54am PST

Remember the winter storm that hit Houston earlier this year?

Well, many Houston TV viewers might, since that was the day that KPRC 2 morning traffic anchor Jennifer Reyna and KHOU 11 morning meteorologist Chita Craft wore the same dress!

And it has happened again last week.

KHOU 11 anchor Brandi Smith posts that she and KPRC 2 morning meteorologist Britta Merwin had their own moment of fashion twinning.

"Different stations, same dress," Smith posted on Instagram. "‪Love this gorgeous lady from @kprc2 and this awesome dress from @renttherunway!" ‬

I think this is the dress.


As someone who never shops for clothes on Amazon, I had no idea that when you do, you see models in video rather than just static images.

Hannah Trippett joins CW39 KIAH's 'Morning Dose'

Former News 4 San Antonio and KABB FOX 29 News in San Antonio sports reporter Hannah Trippett joins CW39 KIAH's 'Morning Dose' as traffic anchor

Hannah Trippett returns to her hometown of Houston to join CW39 KIAH's Morning Dose as the show's traffic anchor.

UPDATE DECEMBER 2022
Hannah Trippett leaves CW39 Houston

"I’m fulfilling a dream I didn’t know I had when I first started in the TV business," Trippett posted on Facebook. "I’ve covered sports for the last five years, but now it’s time for a little bit of change!"

Trippett last worked at News 4 San Antonio and KABB FOX 29 News in San Antonio as a sports reporter. She was there for two years up until last August.

Before that she worked at WDHN Dothan, Alabama as the station's sports director/anchor.

The University of Texas Austin grad interned at ESPN and Sports Talk 790 KBME.

Trippett replaces Shane Allen who left the show after a little more than a month from its re-launch in Houston.

Allen, who worked on the syndicated version of Morning Dose which was produced out of Dallas, returns to the Metroplex to work as a production director and producer of live broadcasts at an unnamed company.

Chelsey Hernandez appears in new movie

View this post on Instagram

My first role in a feature film. “Who Am I” a Christian-based movie premiered at the palladium in San Antonio. Enjoy my “acting” 😃

A post shared by Chelsey Hernandez TV (@chelseyhernandeztv) on Dec 6, 2018 at 8:13pm PST

abc13 KTRK Stretch Your Dollar anchor Chelsey Hernandez (former KENS 5 SA traffic anchor) is going Hollywood on us...well, at least she is acting in a new movie!

"My first role in a feature film," Hernandez posted on Instagram. "'Who Am I' a Christian-based movie premiered at [Santikos Palladium IMAX] in San Antonio. Enjoy my 'acting.'"

According to the Strong Foundation Films website, "Who Am I," which stars Josiah Warren (also the director) and Amber Williams is about:

Pastor Joe, is a young family man who leads a church in an active city where he reaches out to the poor and destitute in any way he can. One day, a woman named Tasha comes to his church seeking for help. Pastor Joe sits down with her and she shares an intense life story. She shares how she was born, how she was set free from a world of drugs, racism, theft, and human trafficking. Her story becomes increasingly complex as people from her past come in contact with Pastor Joe with their own life struggles of suicide, teen pregnancy, and abortion. As their stories tie together it brings hope, redemption, and salvation to the forefront. This movie gives us a clear picture of what it means to experience the transformation of God, going from darkness to light, and to continue on the narrow path each and every day.

What do I know about acting other than pretending to be really into Houston TV news, but I'm giving Hernandez's performance "two keyboards up" since all I do is type all day!

Dave Crockett had police protection because of the New Kids on the Block

I was talking to former Houston DJ Dave Crockett (93Q, KIKK, KHMX) the other day, and I knew he worked in Chicago, but didn't realize he worked at the legendary WLS (aka Z-95 WYTZ at the time).

Back then, Crockett was known on the airwaves as Steven Craig. It's the same name he also used on Mix 96.5 later on in Houston.

"It was very frightening to fly into Chicago and fly over Lake Michigan and see how big it was," Crockett told me. "It was very intimidating to work there at the same place as John 'Records' Landecker, Larry Lujack and Fred Winston."

The DJs at the station were treated like rock stars.

Crockett saw that first hand while giving out New Kids on the Block tickets every minute at the rock n' roll McDonalds in downtown Chicago. Around 5,000 kids showed up in the rain to win. The station assigned Crockett an off duty Chicago police officer to escort him through the madness.

RELATED
Houston morning show hosts embark on new careers after radio

Crockett was at WLS in the late 80s when you would could hear Bon Jovi played right before Bobby Brown on a Top 40 station. If memory serves, that would have been the same here on 104 KRBE at the time.

Naturally I had to hear his Z-95 air check which he provided me (embedded below).

In the early 90s, Crockett went MTV.

The 93Q KKBQ morning host was selected, along with other DJs from across the country, to appear in The Heights and Beverly Hills, 90210 actor/musician Jamie Walter's video for the song "Hold On." Watch for him at the very end.


These days, Crockett owns a voice studio in west Houston. His voice can be heard on lots of car dealer commercials as well as many other things like the national television commercials for Oscar Myer. Included in the air check playlist is his journey into movie trailers too. Also a clip from his 95.7 KIKK country days.

Uncle Otis is back for 'Handcuffed for the Holidays'

Uncle O, Uncle O, Uncle Otis all the way!

Have you heard of Uncle Otis? He is Galveston Islands favorite reprobate. What this BOI lacks in class, he more than makes up for in his commentaries.

Tonight at 9pm Central is his Christmas special, Handcuffed for the Holidays, on North Pole Live!

But Otis isn't just mistaken for a bad Santa...he's doing naughty things all year!

Check him out at uncleotis.net.

You might start letting him into your mind through his commentaries, but I wouldn't suggest letting him in your house...at least unsupervised!

New #KHOU morning team photos with Stephanie Simmons #HTownRush

I've been blogging about how KCBS LA's Stephanie Simmons is on her way to KHOU 11's re-branded morning show #HTownRush and now we see the first shots of the updated AM team.

Guess we could see Simmons on channel 11 this week.

PHOTO

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Days away from spending my mornings with these wonderful faces! Stay tuned for details! #sneakpeek #BTS #newjob #newchapter #news #newsteam #houston #texas

A post shared by Stephanie Simmons (@stephaniesimmonstv) on Dec 7, 2018 at 12:28pm PST

Simmons posted on his video on Instagram telling her concerned Los Angeles television viewers on why they are not seeing her on KCBS anymore.

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HERE IS MY OVERDUE GOODBYE! First of all, thank you to everyone who has reached out on social media asking where I’ve been. I will answer everyone’s messages! November 9th was my last day at CBSLA. The station had planned a farewell, but the fires broke out and it wasn’t a proper time to say goodbye to viewers. I have accepted a new job in Texas, and my family and I are moving soon. More to come on that, but please press play on this video, so I can finally say a giant thanks to YOU and my colleagues at CBSLA! #newjob #newchapter #goodbye #thanks #bittersweet

A post shared by Stephanie Simmons (@stephaniesimmonstv) on Nov 20, 2018 at 2:10pm PST