mikemcguff.com: December 2020

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Top Houston, TX media stories 2020

Top mikemcguff blog posts for 2020 by your clicks

Taniya Wright

What a weird year...right? Who knows how much COVID-19 has affected Houston and Texas TV in 2020?

Here are the top 2020 mikemcguff.com blog posts by pageviews. That means the readers decided the stories and order of this list by their clicks.

1. Taniya Wright leaves KPRC 2
In April 2020, we learned KPRC 2 morning anchor Taniya Wright was no longer working for the station. Days later, it was announced that former KHOU 11 #HTownRush anchor Lisa Hernandez was hired for the channel 2 mornings.

2. Jennifer Reyna update 2020
Former KPRC 2 morning traffic anchor Jennifer Reyna has not been on air since October 2019, but people kept clicking on posts about her in 2020. In March, KVUE 24 Austin morning traffic anchor Anavid Reyes announced she was joining KPRC 2 in same role.

3. J.J. Watt calls out abc13 KTRK over tweet
In January 2020, before we were fighting a pandemic, national headlines were being generated concerning how abc13 KTRK referred to J.J. Watt’s fiancee Kealia Ohai. The station issued an apology.

4. Leslie Mouton leaves KSAT 12
In June, longtime KSAT 12 morning anchor Leslie Mouton left the San Antonio television station after two decades to the surprise of her loyal viewers. Weekend morning anchor Stephanie Serna moved up to mornings in August.

5. Madd Hatta Show on 97.9 The Box?
In January, after nearly 20 years on 97.9 The Box KBXX, "The Madd Hatta Morning Show" was replaced by "Good Morning H-Town" with Jerrel ‘Hardbody Kiotti’ Brown and Keisha Nicole. Since then, Hardbody Kiotti has left 97.9 and Madd Hatta joined KTSU The Vibe.

6. Deborah Wrigley to leave abc13 KTRK
In 2016, Deborah Wrigley leaving abc13 KTRK was my second most clicked post. Then she returned to the ABC station a few months later. However in 2020, her departure seems permanent so far. Mayor Sylvester Turner even declared 9-4-2020, "Deborah Wrigley Day," in honor of the longtime abc13 KTRK reporter's last day.

7. Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK
This was the post where KTRK abc13 weekend morning meteorologist Collin Myers was removed from the bios section on the station's website.

8. Where is Collin Myers?
Viewers are hip to what is happening at Houston TV stations. While Myers was officially gone in September, his viewers were wondering about his whereabouts in early August and asking me for information.

9. Breanna Barrs leaves FOX 29 KABB
In July, Fox News 29 San Antonio KABB morning anchor Breanna Barrs had her last day on air. Since then, she had a long European vacation. In September, the station announced ABC10 KXTV Sacramento, California weekend morning anchor Mayde Gomez was hired for Fox News First mornings.

10. Big changes at KRIS 6 Corpus Christi
In early July, we learned that the E.W. Scripps Company was making changes to the KRIS 6 Corpus Christi morning show. In the fall, former KRIS morning anchor Mike Gillaspia has recently been filling-in at KIII across the street.

Dan Lauck, former KHOU reporter, has died

Dan Lauck, a former KHOU 11 reporter, has died at the age of 72 after a decades long battle with Parkinson’s disease, the TEGNA station is reporting.

Thinking about Lauck and his journalistic craft conjures thoughts of a different time in television news. It was another era. Anyone who was there will know the difference between now and then.

Lauck was one of those standout Houston television news reporters. His news stories looked like a local version of 60 Minutes packages.

Back then, as a young KTRK special projects reporter, I would tune over to channel 11 nightly to learn about TV storytelling, NPPA style...you know the old BELO (KHOU's owner at the time) way of doing things. While I never met Lauck, I would consider him one of my teachers.

Unfortunately Lauck was forced to retire early in 2007 due to Parkinson’s disease.

"I have Parkinson's in my right hand and essential tremor in my left, which makes a race to see which hand can shake the fastest under stress," Lauck told abc13 health reporter Christi Myers in 2009.

That made the pressures of television news difficult.

Former KHOU 11 reporter and now WFAA Dallas station manager, Carolyn Mungo, remembers Lauck as a great writer and someone with great character.

“When I landed in the [KHOU] newsroom, I was fairly new and told him how I sometimes got writers block out in the field,” Mungo said on KHOU.com. “He told me if I ever needed help to call him. So, one day I’m out doing a long form story in east Texas and it hit. Writers block. So, I called him. He said give me five minutes. He called me back and gave me the most perfect idea and a phrase that made the piece. Dan had a story to turn on deadline that day, too, but he never said, ‘I’m in a rush’ or ‘I don’t have time.’”

"In a business full of egos this guy did not have one," former KHOU 11 sports director Butch Alsandor commented on my LinkedIn post for Lauck. "He was incredibly talented but was always humble and kind. A great reporter but more importantly he was an outstanding human being. Everyone he crossed paths with will miss him."

"He was a solid reporter and super nice person," former abc13 KTRK assistant news director/reporter Don Kobos commented on my Facebook page. "When you were covering a story that Dan was also covering, you knew he was going to touch all the bases so you better bring your A game. Prayers to Dan’s family."

"Dan was incredibly kind and subtly charismatic," former abc13 KTRK Mark Garay commented on my Facebook profile. "I fondly remember our chats during downtime or waiting for pressers to start, and his unique brand of friendliness. He carried an unmistakable aura of true professionalism and he was a worthy competitor."

"I was a huge fan of Dan, as a person, and a reporter," former Houston anchor Katie McCall commented on my LinkedIn post. "He was so gifted as a writer and storyteller, but he was also an outstanding human being. Dan was kind, smart, clever, funny, and warm. Rest in Peace, Dan. Thank you for making our world better. "

"Such a loss," former KHOU investigative reporter and now CBS correspondent Anna Werner commented on my LinkedIn post. "Dan was such an incredibly talented writer and reporter, and a lovely person. One of the best, not just in Houston, but anywhere."

"Dan was a natural storyteller with a knack for drawing you in and making you feel as if you were right there, in the story," former KPRC 2 anchor Linda Lorelle commented on my LinkedIn post for Lauck. "He was truly gifted. I didn't get to know him well during my days anchoring at KPRC, but I always looked forward to his reports. Sending prayers to his family. Rest in peace, Dan."

"Dan was the greatest writer I ever worked around," former KHOU reporter Michael Zientek commented on my LinkedIn post. "Even with his own deadline looming, he was always willing to look at other reporters’ scripts and provide ways to improve them, and he always made the script better. Thank you Dan."

In his retirement, Lauck was a volunteer coach for his daughter, Courtney's, high school basketball team.

He was also active in the Houston-area Parkinson's Society, a group which supports Parkinson's patients and their families.

Lauck joined KHOU in 1994 from KMOL San Antonio (now News 4 San Antonio WOAI) where he was an investigative reporter. Before that, he was a feature producer for CBS Sports and an ESPN freelance producer.

The wordsmith reputation Lauck earned might have roots in his print background. He was first a Kansas newspaper sportswriter, then New York's Newsday sportswriter, followed by a news reporting role at the Washington Post.

With Lauck's level of work, the awards came calling. He had three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and six regional Emmy Awards for feature writing and in-depth reporting. Not to mention Texas AP, UPI and Katie Awards.

Lauck is survived by his wife Meg and his three daughters.

This morning, as KHOU announced Lauck's death, the station uploaded some of his television work you can watch below.

RELATED
Daniel Wayne Lauck obituary

*Updated with quotes from Lauck's Houston TV colleagues

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Kaiti Blake is married

KSAT 12 San Antonio meteorologist Kaiti Blake is officially married to Mark Chapin.

UPDATE JUNE 2022
Kaiti Blake leaves KSAT San Antonio

Blake's post on social media listed her updates: "Got Married, Honeymooned, Ready for 2021."

We even learned that, Theo Blake, the meteorologist's cat, "has already begun the paperwork to have his last name changed."

According to the Events by Jennifer Craft blog, the wedding took place at the The Betty Kelso Center in the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

The newly married couple's first dance was to “Follow You Follow Me” by Genesis.

They both attended Texas Tech so the university's song "Fight, Raiders, Fight" was played during the reception.

JC Events also notes Chapin works for Coca-Cola, so the soda's elements were worked into the decorations.

As for Blake, the morning rain didn't have the TV meteorologist worried about the ceremony. She forecasted the weather would be perfect for show time and it was!

According to KSAT, Chapin asked Blake to marry him in November 2019 at the Pearl Amphitheater.

Chapin took the opportunity of his innocuous birthday celebration and popped the question. He also arranged for their families to be there and then for Blake to have time off to spend time with them since they were in town!

Blake is originally from just outside of the the Houston area.

She previously worked for WJTV 12 Jackson, Mississippi and KTAB Abilene.

Karsen Buschjost joins Big 2 News KMID Midland/Odessa

Karsen Buschjost is joining KMID Big 2 News Midland/Odessa, TX as the station's evening news anchor.

UPDATE APRIL 2023
Samantha Smerechniak and Karsen Buschjost leave ABC Big 2 News KMID Odessa/Midland

"I’ll be anchoring the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts alongside Katie Orth starting next week," Buschjost posted on Facebook. "I’m really looking forward to continuing my career in the Lone Star State while indulging in some Tex-Mex. Thanks everybody for the support!"

Buschjost left News 4 - Fox 11 KRNV Reno, Nevada a few months ago.

KRNV was Buschjost's first television job He worked as a Multimedia Journalist or MMJ there since 2017 according to his KRNV bio. Collective Talent says he also worked as a morning reporter and anchor too.

Before starting professionally in TV news, Buschjost earned a Master’s degree in Sports Journalism from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor's from Colorado State University.

Buschjost interned at KDVR Denver and News 4 San Antonio WOAI.

KRNV morning anchor, Jenee' Ryan, tweeted, "Big congrats to @KarsenKRNV for becoming a main anchor! We all miss ya here at @KRNV - but we can't wait for you to make us look good over in Texas!"

KMID evening anchor, Eddie Flores, who joined the station in 2018 after KGBT in the Rio Grande Valley, last posted on Facebook that he was battling cancer and had been on medical leave. His bio is no longer on the KMID website.

Monday, December 28, 2020

CW39's morning news has December departure and arrival

Original "Morning Dose" reporter Courtney Carpenter has left CW39 KIAH's NO WAIT WEATHER + TRAFFIC AM newscast.

UPDATE JULY 5, 2021
Courtney Carpenter joins abc13 KTRK

Here is part of what Carpenter posted on her Facebook page:

"My last day at CW39 was earlier this month.
I’m so grateful for the experience & the friends I made while working there! I’m not sure what’s next for me on the job front, but I know it will all work out in the Lord’s timing - it always does!
Thank you all for following along! I know some of you have been since my days reporting in Abilene & College Station."

Carpenter came to channel 39 Houston in 2018 for the debut of the new local version of "Morning Dose" from KBTX Bryan - College Station. She had worked in BCS television news since 2016 as channel 3's morning newscast feature reporter.

She started her career at KRBC Abilene as a multi-media journalist (MMJ).

The Monroe, Louisiana native, who grew up in Springdale, Arkansas, graduated from Dallas Baptist University on a golf scholarship.

That experience led Carpenter to intern with CBS Sports and travel with the PGA Tour.

Carpenter's departure happened just before the arrival of a new meteorologist.

As I posted earlier, meteorologist Carrigan Chauvin debuted on the CW39 morning newscast Christmas Day.

Chauvin comes to Houston from KJRH 2 Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Commenters on my Facebook page were asking who Chauvin is replacing.

I don't think she is replacing anyone. Chauvin is filling a new, second meteorologist spot for channel 39 along with Adam Krueger who arrived at KIAH from Spectrum News a few months ago.

Sunday, December 27, 2020

David Nuño returns after COVID-19

Back at the station here on Christmas night. Covid had me feeling like Baby Yoda but I am back. pic.twitter.com/fWG9yWggpm
— David Nuño (@DavidNunoABC13) December 26, 2020

David Nuño, the abc13 KTRK weekend sports anchor, took to Twitter on Christmas Day to let us know he has been in quarantine during a battle with COVID-19.

We just learned this month that legendary channel 13 anchor Melanie Lawson battled COVID-19 (click through to watch her story on Inside Edition). KTRK anchor Chauncy Glover was the first Houston anchor to publicly say they battled COVID.

Here is a partial transcript of Nuño's video to viewers:

I've been out three weeks from the station and two weeks from being on air. I had the coronavirus.
My parents got it first. Then I ended up getting it. And, I had I would say, I had it good compared to most people. I would say mine wasn't that bad.
But I tell everyone that I felt like Baby Yoda, because I would be fine, and then all of a sudden I would be so exhausted I'd have to take a nap. But I have to use my force and then I'd be done. I'd be wiped out.

Nuño was able to do a "No Layups" YouTube podcast with partner Raheel Ramzanali where no doubt Houston Rockets srar James Harden was the topic.

Well wished poured into Twitter for Nuño from the likes of fellow abc13 anchor Elissa Rivas, former FOX 26 reporter Lindsey Henry, Houston Chronicle Texans writer Stephanie Stradley and current Sports Talk 790 KBME host Adam Wexler (formerly of KPRC 2).

Nuño, a former 1560 The Game KGOW and Yahoo! Sports Radio sports talk show host, started working for KTRK in 2012.

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Nexstar and Dish Network make Christmas agreement

Nexstar’s 164 Local TV Stations and Cable Network, WGN America, have been restored to Dish Network.

I joked last week that the TEGNA the DirecTV/U-Verse agreement was a Christmas miracle, but then the Nexstar vs Dish Network deal was actually on Christmas Day!

Here is more from the Nextar release:

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) (“Nexstar”), today announced that it has reached a comprehensive multi-year distribution agreement with DISH Network. The agreement restores Nexstar’s 164 local television stations across the country and Nexstar’s wholly-owned cable network, WGN America, to DISH Network’s programming line-up. WGN America will also launch on DISH’s streaming service, Sling TV, in early 2021. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement means that more than 5 million DISH subscribers will again have access to the highly-rated network and local entertainment, sports, and news programming provided by Nexstar television stations and by WGN America, home of the country’s only live prime-time national newscast, NewsNation.
During the last three months, Nexstar successfully completed more than 250 distribution agreements with its satellite, cable, telco, and streaming partners. Combined with similar agreements reached with other providers in 2019, Nexstar now has long-term visibility regarding future retransmission and carriage fees covering 90% of the company’s footprint through 2022.
Nexstar’s local television stations and WGN America had been off DISH Network’s satellite system since Dec. 2. We regret the inconvenience experienced by our viewers and look forward to again providing them with leading network and local programming.

Nexstar, which is based in Texas, owns the following stations in the Lone Star State - KDAF-TV (CW) in Dallas, KIAH-TV (CW) in Houston, KXAN-TV (NBC) in Austin, KWKT-TV (FOX) in Waco, KVEO-TV/SVEO-TV (NBC/CBS) in Harlingen/Brownsville, KTAL-TV (NBC) in Shreveport, LA, KTSM-TV (NBC) in El Paso, KETK-TV (NBC) in Tyler, KAMR-TV/KCIT-TV (NBC/FOX) in Amarillo, KLBK-TV/KAMC-TV (CBS/ABC) in Lubbock, KMID-TV (ABC) in Midland/Odessa, KFDX-TV (NBC) in Wichita Falls, KTAB-TV (CBS) in Abilene, and KSAN-TV (NBC) in San Angelo.

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Carrigan Chauvin joins CW39 KIAH

Meteorologist Carrigan Chauvin debuted on the CW39 Houston KIAH NO WAIT WEATHER + TRAFFIC morning newscast on Christmas Eve morning.

This might be the first time in the 15 years I have been writing this blog that a station debuted a new talent on Christmas Eve morning.

"I have been trying to find the words to describe how thankful I am... I fall speechless every time after thinking about how Christmas came early for me this year," Chauvin posted on Instagram.

Consider Chauvin an extra gift for the CW39 television audience.

Chauvin will be the second meteorologist on the CW39 Houston morning newscast which has a healthy focus on weather and traffic news. She joins chief meteorologist Adam Krueger on the show.

Krueger replaced original show meteorologist Maria Sotolongo (formerly of FOX 4 KDFW) a few months ago. Sotolongo left the television business and Houston.

Chauvin comes to Houston from KJRH 2 Tulsa, Oklahoma. She also worked for WTOK Meridian, MS.

"Incredibly blessed to be closer to home, forecast for an environment that I love, and to have the opportunity to tell your stories about how weather affects all aspects of our lives," Chauvin added to Instagram.

Home for Chauvin is Louisiana. And get this, she was born and raised in Chauvin, Louisiana! According to the Chauvin Brothers store website, Albert Eloie Chauvin became the namesake of the town back in the late 1800s.

Chauvin, the now Houston meteorologist, graduated from Mississippi State University. If you search hard enough on YouTube, you can even find video of her doing the weather on the university's student television system.

OK...enough TV talk on Christmas Eve. I am now going to eat a lot of food and candy which will make my 2021 about no wait exercise + weight loss. Especially after 2020!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meteorologist Carrigan Chauvin (@meteorologistcarriganchauvin)

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Brett Anthony joins KYTX CBS19

Meteorologist Brett Anthony joins KYTX CBS19 Tyler-Longview as chief meteorologist from weekends at KCTV Kansas City

Brett Anthony is heading down to Texas to be the chief meteorologist for KYTX CBS19 Tyler-Longview.

He's been the weekend meteorologist at KCTV5 - KSMO in Kansas City since 2017.

At the time of this post's publishing, Anthony has not officially left KCTV5 for the Piney Woods as he was still on the air in KC yesterday as you can see in the above video.

Still time for a last barbecue meal?

KYTX CBS19 is excited to have Anthony and his nearly 30 years of weather experience, as his bio is already online on the East Texas news website.

Before KCTV5, Anthony worked for KJRH 2 Tulsa as the station's chief meteorologist for for years. Jay Cronley at Tulsa World even wrote a glowing profile of Anthony and his forecasting accountable.

Prior to Oklahoma, Anthony worked at KCTV's Kansas City competitor KSHB for 11 years.

The first TV job listed on Anthony's LinkedIn profile is as weekend met for WOIO - WUAB Cleveland, Ohio.

The two-time regional Emmy award winner has a meteorology degree from Western Kentucky University and a radio-TV degree from Southern Illinois University.

(Thanks Steve Swienckowski)

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

‘Lone Star NYE 2021’ to broadcast across Texas TV

FORT WORTH-DALLAS, TX and IRVING, TX– (December 22, 2020) – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth /KXAS and Nexstar Inc. today announced the broadcast details for “Lone Star NYE 2021,” a New Year’s Eve program airing December 31, 2020 from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. CST, hosted by NBC 5’s Katy Blakey and KARK’s D.J. Williams.

This year’s New Year’s Eve program, featuring the Eli Young Band, singer Ryan Berg from NBC’s “The Voice” and the traditional Dallas’ Reunion Tower fireworks spectacular, will air in North Texas on NBC 5, in an additional 12 Texas markets, and in five Central time zone states including Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.

As in years past, “Lone Star NYE 2021” will include “Over the Top NYE” live fireworks spectacular presented by Hunt Realty Investments and Reunion Tower with NBC 5 and Nexstar Inc. serving as official media sponsors. The remarkable, nonstop, 10-minute fireworks show will illuminate the Dallas city skyline with breathtaking panoramic fireworks and include more than 4,000 pyrotechnic special effects fired from 560 feet above ground atop Reunion Tower. The tower itself, meanwhile, is covered with 259 LED lights that will display thousands of unique designs and patterns during the show.

“Lone Star NYE 2021” is broadcast live from the pool deck at the Omni Hotel and features on-location coverage of events at the official “Lone Star NYE 2021” celebration at Hyatt Hotel.

“Lone Star NYE 2021 provides a sense of tradition and excitement, especially after many unexpected disruptions to celebrations throughout this past year,” said Tom Ehlmann, NBC 5 President and General Manager. “Viewers will experience a special local countdown to ring in 2021 on New Year’s Eve, safely from their homes. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Reunion Tower and Nexstar.”

“Bringing people together during the holidays is something that we always look forward to, and Nexstar is very pleased to continue its partnership with NBC 5 for the fourth consecutive year of Lone Star NYE 2021 and the Over the Top NYE fireworks spectacular,” said Tim Busch, Nexstar Inc.’s President of Broadcasting. “Nexstar is focused on delivering exclusive local programming that informs, entertains, and enriches the daily lives of our viewers. We are, once again, proud to share this New Year’s Eve tradition with our audiences throughout Texas and the millions of viewers in the surrounding states throughout the Southeast and Southwest.”

This year’s production on NBC 5 is sponsored by North Texas Hyundai Dealers and will also be live streaming on NBCDFW.com.

Station/Network Region Operator

KXAS-TV (NBC) Dallas-Fort Worth, TX NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations

KRBC-TV (NBC) Abilene-Sweetwater, TX Mission

KAMR-TV (NBC) Amarillo, TX Nexstar

KXAN-TV (NBC) Austin, TX Nexstar

KTSM-TV (ABC) El Paso, TX Nexstar

KVEO-TV (NBC) Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, TX Nexstar

KIAH-TV (CW) Houston, TX Nexstar

KLBK-TV (CBS) Lubbock, TX Nexstar

KMID-TV (ABC) Odessa-Midland, TX Nexstar

KSAN-TV (NBC) San Angelo, TX Mission

KETK-TV (NBC) Tyler-Longview, TX Nexstar

KWKT-TV (FOX) Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX Nexstar

KFDX-TV (NBC) Wichita Falls, TX – Lawton, OK Nexstar

KAUT-TV (IND) Oklahoma City, OK Nexstar

KNWA-TV (NBC) Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Nexstar

KARK-TV (NBC) Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR Nexstar

MTKA-TV (CW) Topeka, KS Vaughan Media

KSNW-TV (NBC) Wichita-Hutchinson, KS Nexstar

WBRL-TV (CW) Baton Rouge, LA Nexstar

KLFY-TV (CBS) Lafayette, LA Nexstar

KTAL-TV (NBC) Shreveport, LA Nexstar

KTVE-TV (NBC) Monroe, LA-El Dorado, AR Mission

KSNF-TV (NBC) Joplin, MO – Pittsburg, KS Nexstar

KOZL-TV (MyNet) Springfield, MO Nexstar

Note: Please check local listings for additional information

About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Nexstar Media Group (NASDAQ: NXST) is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms. Its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Nexstar Inc., consists of three divisions: Broadcasting, Digital, and Networks. The Broadcasting Division operates, programs, or provides sales and other services to 197 television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 115 markets or approximately 39% of all U.S. television households (reflecting the FCC’s UHF discount). The division’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. The Digital Division operates 122 local websites and 316 mobile apps offering hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when and how they access content and creating new revenue opportunities for the company. The Networks Division operates WGN America, a growing national general entertainment cable network and the home of NewsNation, multicast network Antenna TV, and WGN Radio in Chicago. Nexstar also owns a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network, a top tier cable asset. For more information please visit www.nexstar.tv.

About NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth / KXAS
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth / KXAS is the local NBCUniversal-owned television station serving the communities of North Texas with quality local news, weather forecasts, consumer and investigative reports and sports and entertainment programming across all platforms, including the station’s dedicated website NBCDFW.com, its mobile app, social media channels and on COZI TV (Digital 5.2) and NBCLX (Digital 5.3), the station’s multicast channels.

(This post taken from a release)

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Best TV News Bloopers Of 2020

TEGNA stations like KHOU back on DirecTV & U-Verse

TEGNA and AT&T have reached a deal. It's a Christmas miracle. Your favorite TEGNA station is back on DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse systems.

People on my Facebook page comments will have to find another topic to discuss now.

TEGNA owns television stations in the great state of Texas like KHOU Houston, WFAA Dallas, KENS San Antonio, KVUE Austin, KCEN Waco, KAGS College Station, KYTX Tyler, KIII Corpus Christi, KBMT-KJAC Beaumont, KXVA Abilene and KIDY San Angelo.

Here is the official release:

TYSONS, Va. & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) and AT&T (NYSE: T) have entered into a new multi-year retransmission consent agreement to provide TEGNA-owned local broadcast stations to customers of AT&T’s video platforms across the country. All TEGNA stations are returning today to any impacted AT&T homes.
AT&T and TEGNA regret any inconvenience to their customers and viewers and thank them for their patience.
The agreement includes retransmission consent for all 64 TEGNA-owned stations serving 51 Nielsen markets including Atlanta, Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Phoenix, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington, among many others. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reported that during the TEGNA blackout, the Houston Texans game ratings took a sack.

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Mike Gillaspia joins KIII after KRIS

Mike Gillaspia has joined KIII Corpus Christi.

This is a follow up to my early July post where we learned Gillaspia was let go from KRIS 6 across the street.

Gillaspia joined his old station's competitor in October while I was not blogging. So there, someone had some good news in 2020 after all.

The new KIII anchor told a viewer on Twitter that he will be filling-in for the other anchors during the November and December holiday season.

Here is something you might now know, Gillaspia can now say he has anchored on KIII, KRIS and KZTV (KRIS sister station)!

The same time we learned that Gillaspia was gone from the KRIS morning show, we also learned that meteorologist Maclovio Perez was shown the door too.

Well, since he left, Perez has been doing weather reports for Pudge Nation on 95.1 FM & 1230 AM KSIX Corpus Christi.

(Thanks Randy!)

Friday, December 18, 2020

Simone De Alba takes over for Irene Cruz News 4 SA WOAI

Simone De Alba has taken over for Irene Cruz on News 4 San Antonio WOAI and will sit along side Alamo City legend Randy Beamer on the Sinclair station's 10pm newscast.

UPDATE AUGUST 2023
Simone De Alba joins WUSA9 Washington, DC

The big anchor change happened in November while I was on blogging break. De Alba's San Antonio debut happened in early December which you can watch above.

De Alba left FOX 40 KTXL Sacramento in November after four years with the Nexstar station (formerly Tribune owned).

"I know there's a few things that I really want to try in San Antonio, which I actually made a list, and one of them is Natural Bridge Caverns," De Alba told co-anchors Beamer and Delaine Mathieu on air for her South Texas television news introduction.

I am going to throw in my two cents since this this post is suddenly about Texas caves. While I love Natural Bridge Caverns, I also highly suggest the Caverns of Sonora located near Sonora, Texas on I-10. These caves sit at the halfway point between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park. Ok, back to San Antonio TV stuff.

No stranger to physical endurance, De Alba grew up in Colorado and loves to hike. Actually, saying she loves to hike is a little pedestrian for her. During her time teaching in Nepal, De Alba was even at the Mount Everest base camp.

Besides mountains, De Alba is a ultra marathon runner. So for her, anchoring mornings at FOX 40 Sacramento was not enough activity. She followed her TV news work with a daily 15 mile run. Then she competes in 50 mile endurance runs.

Whew! And here, I am tired enough writing this post. When I hit publish, I might go take a nap. Hopefully I won't injure myself.

The new SA anchor's motto is “first and foremost, a public servant.” As a journalist, she has stated she does not take her reporting and anchoring responsibilities lightly.

De Alba had been the morning anchor for KTXL since 2015.

Before that, she was a statewide anchor for KTVQ Billings, Montana. She even made appearances on CNN's local edition.

KRTV Great Falls, Montana was the start of De Alba's television journalism career where she served as a morning anchor.

The University of Colorado at Boulder and Metropolitan State University grad interned for KCNC Denver, KCRA Sacramento and KUSA Denver.

“I’m very excited about the addition of Simone to our News 4 San Antonio team,” Sinclair San Antonio General Manager Dean Radla said on the station's website. “Simone is a real pro that will blend well with our established talent and provide another credible voice to enhance the station’s position as trusted and valued source of information for local viewers.”

When not anchoring, De Alba will be working on special projects reports for 5, 6 and 6:30 pm WOAI newscasts.

Irene Cruz leaves News 4 San Antonio WOAI

In 2018, Irene Cruz took the 10pm anchor chair vacated by Eva Ramos in 2017.

"To my co-anchor, [Randy Beamer], who is both my best friend at work and my auxiliary dad," Cruz posted on her goodbye Facebook message. "Thank you for the laughs on a commercial break, the emergency packs of Oreos you gave me on my bad days, and the friendship orchids that always seemed to die but we loved anyway."

Still friends, Cruz and Beamer just had lunch together in mid-December.

Cruz previously worked for KXTV Sacramento as an anchor and reporter.

She got her professional television news start at KYMA, Yuma Arizona as an anchor/producer.

The University of California, Irvine grad interned for KNSD San Diego and WBBM Chicago.

We will have to stay tuned to see what Cruz will do post WOAI. If you find out, give me a holler.

In other News 4 San Antonio...well news...the bio of reporter Emily Olson has been removed from the WOAI website. She now lists her Instagram bio as "former reporter." Olson arrived in San Antonio earlier in 2020.

Telemundo O&Os ‘Most Accurate’ Spanish-Language Weather Forecasters For 2nd Straight Year

WeatheRate, an independent weather research company, today announced that 17 Telemundo owned stations have received the “Most Accurate” forecasting certification for 2020.

The stations include Telemundo 47 / WNJU in New York, Telemundo 51 / WSCV in Miami, Telemundo Houston / KTMD, Telemundo 39 / KXTX in Dallas-Fort Worth, Telemundo Chicago / WSNS, Telemundo 60 / KVDA in San Antonio, Telemundo Phoenix / KTAZ, Telemundo 40 / KTLM in the Rio Grande Valley, Telemundo 31 / WTMO in Orlando/Central Florida, Telemundo 62 / WWSI in Philadelphia, Telemundo 44 / WZDC in Washington, D.C., Telemundo 20 / KUAN in San Diego, Telemundo 49 / WRMD in Tampa, Telemundo Denver / KDEN, Telemundo 48 / KTDO in El Paso, Telemundo Boston / WNEU and Telemundo Las Vegas / KBLR.

“All Telemundo stations that earned our accuracy title last year repeated their strong showing during our recently completed annual accuracy research,” said Bruce Fixman, President, WeatheRate. “With two years of research now completed, Spanish-language viewers can be confident they are receiving the most accurate Spanish-language weather forecasts from their Telemundo stations."

“Year after year, our Telemundo station weather teams have transformed the way that forecasts are delivered to local audiences by going beyond temperature highs and lows. Our weather teams deliver live weather forecasts to help audiences understand how weather patterns, storms and the effects of climate change will affect them in their daily lives,” added Ozzie Martinez, Senior Vice President, News, Digital and Standards for the Telemundo Station Group. “With augmented reality and other storytelling approaches, our meteorologists are helping audiences stay connected to their local weather updates, as it happens in real-time, and in the language of their choice.”

Following a multi-year investment in weather forecasting, Telemundo owned stations revamped their weather teams to improve the way that weather conditions are presented to Spanish-language audiences. From hiring bilingual meteorologists to helping weather anchors in multiple markets obtain degrees in meteorology and other industry certifications to delivering live weather forecasts for audiences for the first time in their markets, the Telemundo owned stations’ are also making it possible for audiences to receive real-time weather updates in Spanish through the stations’ mobile apps. The Telemundo stations’ mobile app weather alerts are powered by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations’ largest privately owned network of cutting edge fixed and mobile weather radars in the country.

(This post taken from a release from WeatheRate)

Jerrel ‘Hardbody Kiotti’ Brown leaves 97.9 The Box

Jerrel ‘Hardbody Kiotti’ Brown has left 97.9 The Box KBXX after many years on air.

UPDATE 2021
Hardbody Kiotti joins 93.7 The Beat KQBT

Known as the "Radio Boss," Kiotti took to Facebook Live a few months ago while I was on my blogging break, to say he had resigned from the Radio One station.

You can watch his explanation here where he talked with Pastor Royce Robinson of the Crossover Bible Fellowship Church.

The Houston native is now hosting #TheAMWakeUpShow on his YouTube channel and Facebook. You might even see his family join in. Pastor Robinson will make appearances too.

Most recently, Kiotti was on the "Good Morning H-Town" show with Keisha Nicole and J Mac.

Last January, I blogged how Kiotti and Nicole took over The Box's "Madd Hatta Morning Show" slot which had been on the air since 2001.

Before that, the Houston native was host of the KBXX's top rated night show “The Radio Boss Show” 7pm to 11pm weeknights.

Kiotti was formerly signed to Asylum Records.

RELATED

Madd Hatta to advise KTSU The Vibe

Madd Hatta interviewed on "The Jimbo Podcast"

(Thanks Marc)

Sunday, December 13, 2020

PBS turns 50

Friday, December 11, 2020

Texas anchors affected by COVID-19

Multiple instances of Texas anchors and a meteorologist being quarantined due to COVID-19 have happened this week.

Melanie Lawson filed a report today concerning her positive COVID-19 test:

For me, it started more than three weeks ago with an annoying cough. I didn't think anything of it, since I always have seasonal allergies. When someone suggested I get tested for COVID-19, I thought 'No way.' I wear a mask all the time, wash my hands and social distance.
I haven't been in a restaurant in months. Even our church services are online.
So when my doctor said 'You have it,' I was floored.
I immediately self-quarantined. Then my symptoms got worse. READ MORE

Fellow abc13 KTRK anchor, Chauncy Glover, was the first member of the Houston media to publicly say they tested positive.

Earlier this week, KPRC 2 morning meteorologist posted on Facebook that she was returning to work after a COVID quarantine.

Over in San Antonio, KSAT12 anchor Myra Arthur has been under quarantine with her family.

Andrea Parquet-Taylor named vice president and news director at CBS Los Angeles

Andrea Parquet-Taylor named vice president and news director at KCBS-TV, KCAL-TV, CBSN Los Angeles and CBSLA.com.

Veteran local television and news executive Andrea Parquet-Taylor has been named vice president and news director at CBS Television Stations’ local broadcast and digital properties in Los Angeles. The announcement was made today by Jay Howell, President and General Manager of KCBS-TV, KCAL-TV, CBSN Los Angeles and CBSLA.com.

Parquet-Taylor assumes this new role after having served as vice president and station manager at KTVT-TV and KTXA-TV, the ViacomCBS-owned stations in Dallas-Fort Worth, since June 2018. Prior to that, she was vice president and news director at KTVT/KTXA since February 2017.

Prior to joining CBS Television Stations, Parquet-Taylor served as the news director at WNCN-TV, the CBS affiliate in Raleigh-Durham; WXYZ-TV in Detroit; WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV in Raleigh-Durham and WMAR-TV in Baltimore.

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Andrea since our time together at Media General, when I was in the corporate office and she was the news director at WNCN,” Howell said. “She is an outstanding news executive who never rests on her laurels, is highly regarded by the people who have worked with her and is always looking to break big stories. I am thrilled to have her join us here in Southern California and lead our news department.”

Peter Dunn, President and CEO, CBS Television Stations, added: “Andrea is a rising star within our station group. Our KCBS/KCAL/CBSN Los Angeles team is one of the biggest and finest local broadcast/digital news organizations in the country. They deserve an outstanding leader in the newsroom. I look forward to supporting Jay and Andrea in their efforts to get the most out of the considerable talent and resources we have in Los Angeles.”

“I am grateful for this tremendous opportunity to be part of the CBS Los Angeles family,” Parquet-Taylor said. “I appreciate the support I have received from Peter Dunn and Gary Schneider (KTVT/KTXA President and General Manager) during the past three-plus years. And while I will miss my friends and colleagues in Dallas-Fort Worth, I am excited to have a chance to reunite with Jay and work with everyone at CBS 2 and KCAL 9.”

Parquet-Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in communications arts and sciences from Michigan State University.

(Post taken from a CBS release)

Brittany Jeffers is pregnant with baby #2

While I was taking a blogging break, way back on November 19th, KPRC 2 reporter Brittany Jeffers made a baby announcement.

"Vivi has some happy breaking news she wanted to share," Jeffers posted on Facebook. "She has a baby brother arriving in the spring! We are so excited."

Vivi is Jeffers's daughter who was born during the great KPRC baby boom of 2019.

Remember those simpler times before 2020?

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Ashley Paredez joins ABC 15 KNXV Phoenix

FOX 4 KDFW Dallas-Fort Worth morning reporter Ashley Paredez announced on Facebook she has joined ABC 15 KNXV Phoenix.

"In three years so much can change.
This photo was taken in 2017 when I visited Phoenix/Scottsdale for the first time. I loved the city then and now, I love that I’m getting the chance to start a new chapter in my career there with ABC15 Arizona.
I will be reporting on the nightly newscasts, Monday-Friday. I am truly blessed to be able to join a team of such talented journalists and a news station with a reputation of producing life-changing & in-depth investigations.
I got into the news industry to help people through storytelling; I will be able to do that more consecutively in this new position.
I appreciate all of my supporters and hope you will continue to follow me for news.
You can watch me on https://www.abc15.com/live and if you’re living in Arizona, send me a msg saying hello!"

Paredez puts a sunset on her Texas TV career for now.

Before KDFW, the University of Texas grad worked for FOX 7 KTBC Austin and KFDA Amarillo.

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

FOX 26's Chelsea Edwards's baby is here

FOX 26 KRIV reporter Chelsea Edwards explained while she wasn't at work...it's baby time!

"Soooo here’s why I had to call in to work," she posted on Facebook. "Tuesday morning we welcomed Harper Langston Edwards into the world a couple weeks earlier than expected! 6lbs 14 oz with quite a set of lungs. I’ll be sharing his high-speed birth story soon...for now, I’m going to sleep while I can!"

Russ McCaskey joins WINK News Florida after KTVT

Former CBS 11 DFW KTVT morning anchor Russ McCaskey has joined WINK News Fort Myers/Naples, Florida according to a social media post from October 19th while I was not blogging.

"Amid the craziness of 2020, I can officially announce my next chapter," McCaskey posted on Instagram. "This is day 1 at the CBS affiliate -- WINK News -- in Fort Myers/Naples Florida. The drive to the station is on a road lined with hundreds of palm trees."

I did not see a bio for McCaskey on the WINK site, no mention in the media about his new anchor gig, but he is clearly already on the air.

In fact, my own blog tipped me off because my last post about McCaskey was getting a lot of traffic all of a sudden.

That last post was from May when McCaskey, weekend morning anchor Jennifer Lindgren and other off-air staffers were laid off from KTVT in nationwide CBS owned station layoffs.

The award winning television journalist and Dallas native previously worked for KJRH Tulsa and KXII Sherman.

McCaskey is a Plano Senior High School and Texas Christian University grad.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Russ McCaskey (@russmccaskey)

Kyle Claude named Houston Public Media Executive Director of Content Operations

Houston Public Media is pleased to welcome Kyle Claude as the new Executive Director of Content Operations

HOUSTON – (December 8, 2020) – Houston Public Media is pleased to welcome Kyle Claude as the new Executive Director of Content Operations.

In his new role, Claude will oversee the news, content, and radio operations at Houston Public Media.

“Kyle Claude is the right person to lead the station’s content division, and I am especially excited to have his leadership over our growing digital services to our community and beyond. His experience and strategic direction will make him a key member of the station’s executive team,” said Josh Adams, Station Manager.

Kyle has more than 25 years of broadcast experience and specializes in leveraging local content into audience engagement. He has also held marketing and production leadership roles in Kansas, Louisiana and, most recently, Mobile, AL. He is a native New Orleanian and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Xavier University of Louisiana. He and his wife, Kimberly, enjoy spending time with their four children Lindsay, Lauren, Kyle Jr. and Kaleb.

Learn more about Kyle Claude here.

Houston Public Media is pleased to announce the recent promotions of Eddie Robinson to Executive Producer and Anessa Rios-Ezeude to Director of Membership and Donor Services.

HOUSTON – (October 19, 2020). Houston Public Media is pleased to announce the recent promotions of Eddie Robinson to Executive Producer and Anessa Rios-Ezeude to Director of Membership and Donor Services.

"Eddie and Anessa are innovative and respected leaders in the public media system,” said Lisa Shumate, Associate Vice President and General Manger. “They have played key roles in Houston Public Media’s success over the last few years and share a commitment to community relationship building, collaboration, and mentorship that will continue to drive our station forward in the years to come.”

In his new role as Executive Producer, Robinson will launch and host a new podcast and radio program around racial equality and social justice. A unique concept, the (as yet untitled) project will introduce personal stories from influential guests and newsmakers and then “unpack” these intimate histories to offer broader perspectives and a way forward.

“Eddie Robinson is the right person to lead this important effort for the city of Houston. I am thrilled to have his experience and passion moving us forward,” said Josh Adams, Station Manager.

Since joining Houston Public Media in 2014, Eddie has become an essential voice on drive time radio, anchoring News 88.7 newscasts during Morning Edition. In addition to his work on the radio, Eddie co-hosts special programming on TV 8 including Houston in Black and White, a show that examined what divides our community, what we have in common, and how we can bridge the gap. Eddie serves as moderator and emcee for events in the community and now hosts virtual events ncluding Candidate Forums for the 2020 election.

Click here to learn more about Eddie Robinson’s background in media.

As Director of Membership and Donor Services, Rios-Ezeude will oversee the strategic direction and project implementation of Houston Public Media’s integrated, multi-media fundraising efforts and campaigns. “Anessa’s ability to put together cohesive plans across channels, review robust analytics, and pivot strategy during a global pandemic resulted in a Membership revenue year over year increase,” said Courtney Lamm, Chief Development Officer. “Having been her direct supervisor for more than five years, I am confident that Anessa is the right person to lead our Membership team through a future that will require innovative thinking.”

Since becoming a member of Houston Public Media team in 2015, Anessa has standardized multi-media fundraising performance reporting and analytics while executing progressive strategy to increase new digital revenue, cultivate new revenue, transition to a more philanthropic approach to on-air fundraising, and develop the station’s first social media ambassador program for the station.

Learn more about Anessa Rios-Ezeude here.

About Houston Public Media
Houston Public Media is a service of the University of Houston and supported with financial gifts from the community. Houston Public Media combines broadcast and digital assets to serve residents of Southeast Texas with trusted local news and entertainment, as well as national programming from NPR and PBS. With a combined weekly audience of more than 1.6 million, Houston Public Media is committed to delivering content that expands minds and possibilities with trusted information.

Tuesday, December 08, 2020

Two FOX 26 on air talents lose family members to violence

Mike Iscovitz announced Sunday that his father was killed in southwest Houston

For years you have heard Houston attorney Chris Tritico give legal advice on both FOX 26 KRIV and 740 KTRH.

Now out of Florida, there are sad reports that Tritico's daughter, Maria Tritico, 31, was shot and has now died.

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