Telemundo Houston adds Pablo Sánchez and Karina Segovia to weather team

HOUSTON, TX – (March 30, 2021) – Telemundo Houston KTMD-TV announced that meteorologist Pablo Sánchez has been added to the weather team, taking the reins from Carlos Robles who was recently elevated to Telemundo Network in Miami as Chief Meteorologist of the morning show, hoy Día. Also joining the Spanish-language television station is weather anchor Karina Segovia.

Pablo Sánchez joins KTMD from Telemundo 39 KXTX-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth where he has been meteorologist since March 2018. Before this, Sánchez worked as a meteorologist for the Aragonese Radio and Television Corporation in Spain, performing as producer, editor and weather presenter. During 2015 and 2018 Sánchez worked as a weather presenter for Radio & Television of the Principado de Austrias in Spain. 

Sánchez also generated audiovisual and radio content for the local meteorological agency in 2016 and 2017. Sánchez obtained his bachelor’s degree in Geography and Land Planning at the University of Zaragoza and received his master’s degree in Climatology and Media from the University of Barcelona. He is part of the Association of Meteorology Communicators (ACOMET) and a three-time Emmy® Award winner.

Karina Segovia comes to KTMD from Entravision Communications where she has been weather anchor since April 2019. Prior to that, Segovia worked as a Multimedia Journalist for Nexstar Media Group and Production Assistant for NBCUniversal. Born and raised in Houston and moving to the Rio Grand Valley with her family at the age of thirteen, Segovia attended the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and in 2015 received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication/Media Studies.

 While going to school she gained experience as weather forecaster, camera operator and multimedia journalist for television stations in South Texas. Currently, Segovia is completing a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University.

“We are delighted to have both Pablo and Karina in Houston helping to elevate our La Autoridad en el Tiempo (Weather Authority) brand and delivering the most accurate and trusted weather forecast,” said Jerry Vazquez, KTMD Vice President of News. “they each have the knowledge and dedication necessary to inform viewers about our ever-changing weather conditions.”

About Telemundo Houston / KTMD
Telemundo Houston / KTMD is Telemundo’s local television station serving Spanish-speaking viewers in Houston, the fourth largest Hispanic television market in the country. Telemundo Houston aired the market’s first-ever Spanish-language television newscast more than 30 years ago. Owned by NBCUniversal, today, the station locally produces approximately 15 hours of news and information programming each week and delivers viewers the most up-to-date local news, weather forecasts and sports and entertainment headlines across all platforms, including online at TelemundoHouston.com, via its dedicated mobile app and through its social media channels. Telemundo Houston is the Spanish-language television home of the Houston Texans and the Spanish-language television sponsor of the world’s largest rodeo, Rodeo Houston. Viewers can find Telemundo Houston on local channels Xfinity 6 or 606 in HD, Dish and DirectTV 47 and over the air 47.1.

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

Corey Dillon joins The New 93Q KKBQ

Corey Dillon returned to Houston radio on The New 93Q KKBQ, March 25, 2021, filling the midday DJ slot from 10am to 3pm weekdays.

"I’m honored at the opportunity to join an incredible station in the number one country [music] market and be welcomed into the [Cox Media Group] CMG family," Dillon said in a release to mikemcguff.com. "I love this city, I love the listeners here. There's no better place to work in country music. I am so excited to be back in Houston!"

Dillon will probably be a familiar voice to Houston country radio listeners as he was on air at 100.3 The Bull KILT from 2016 to 2018.  His last air shift was at nights on the station.

"I’m so excited to have a dynamic talent like Corey join the 93Q family," Johnny Chiang, Director of Operations for CMG Houston added. "There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to be a hit with our team and our audience."

Dillon comes from 98.9 The Bull KNUC Seattle.

He replaces Christi Brooks who left for Cox Media Group sister station Y100 KCYY San Antonio at the end of 2020. 

Best TV News Bloopers March 2021

Peyton Yager joins FOX 4 KDFW

Peyton Yager joined FOX 4 KDFW on March 22, 2021 as a nightside reporter from KFOR Oklahoma City.

"I’m ready to work for the people of North Texas and the powerhouse that is FOX 4," Yager said on her KDFW bio. "I’m blessed to be back in my home state." 

The native Texan is from Friendswood, right outside of Houston.

While at KFOR in July 2020, Yager tested positive for COVID-19. The athlete, who is a strenuous runner, found it hard to breath.

“On day two, I was waking up and feeling like my chest was compressed and there was this huge rock on my chest,” Yager told her station at the time.

After recovering, Yager donated plasma to help those still fighting the virus.

Prior to KFOR Oklahoma, Yager also worked as an MMJ/Reporter for KNWA/KFTA-Fayetteville, AR.

The University of Texas at Austin grad worked as a political intern with Spectrum News Austin and KXAN Austin. 

Prior to that, Yager shadowed reporters at KVUE Austin. 

She also had a Governor Fellowship Program with Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Press Office.

Evan Closky joins 10 Tampa Bay WTSP

Evan Closky is leaving his weekend sports anchor and multimedia journalist job behind at KENS 5 San Antonio to become the sports director for TEGNA sister-station 10 Tampa Bay WTSP Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida.

"After three wonderful years in San Antonio, I wanted to let y’all know I’ll be leaving KENS on April 2 and moving to beautiful Florida to become the new sports director at 10 Tampa Bay," Closky posted on Instagram.  "It was a serendipitous situation resulting in an opportunity I cannot wait to pursue. While I am so excited to move to my new home, I am going to miss this city dearly." 

In the above goodbye video, Closky mentions his girlfriend, KENS 5 news producer Kourtni Jefson, also has a new job with WTSP.

Closky starts in Tampa on April 12th.

The 2017 Murrow Award winning and multiple EMMY nominated sports journalist started with KENS 5 in July 2018.  

He came from TEGNA sister-station KREM in Spokane, Washington where he had worked since 2014.

Before KREM, Closky was the weekend sports anchor for KVRR Fargo, ND.

The Ohio State University grad interned with WBNS Columbus, OH and CBS News New York.

Josh Innes is now a classic rock morning show host

Josh Innes has left ESPN 97.5 KFNC Houston and sports talk for classic rocker 105.9 The Rock WNRQ Nashville.

"Starting next Monday 'The Josh Innes Show' will be taking over morning drive on @1059therock in Nashville. Let’s go," Innes tweeted. "I wanted to try something different and this opportunity was perfect."

Innes also noted on Twitter he is continuing with his podcast.

When Innes joined ESPN 97.5 in May 2020, he made it clear he was only working with the Houston sports station until the station found a permanent host.

In Houston, Innes also worked for SportsTalk 790 KBME and SportsRadio 610 KILT.  

Between those two H-Town radio stops, Innes worked for Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia.

Mike Rush exits KVUE Austin

Mike Rush has left KVUE Austin and his new morning anchor role. The longtime anchor confirmed it on Twitter.  

UPDATE JUNE 2022
Mike Rush joins KXAN Austin

UPDATE JUNE 2021
Rob Evans joins KVUE Austin as morning anchor

Oh, thank you, JoAnne. I don’t work there anymore. I appreciate you watching me and checking in!

— Mike Rush (@MikeRushTV) March 17, 2021

His bio was recently removed from the TEGNA station's website.

In July 2020, I blogged how Rush swapped his evening anchor role with morning anchor Bryan Mays.

Before KVUE, Rush worked as an anchor for KSDK NewsChannel 5 St. Louis, Missouri for six years.

Prior to KSDK, Rush was:

- Weekend Anchor WPMI Mobile, AL

- General Assignment Reporter WGNO New Orleans, LA 

- Weekend Anchor KPLC Lake Charles, LA 

Rush, is a native of Houston and was a Bellaire High School cheerleader. 

While in school, the University of Houston grad interned with FOX 26 KRIV.

RELATED
Kristie Gonzales promoted to KYTX and KVUE

MeTV Houston now on 51 KYAZ

MeTV is leaving the KPRC Houston digital sub-channel 2.2 world for a main television station on 51 KYAZ.

UPDATE MAY 2022
MeTV Houston 51 signal issues?

A note on the MeTV site reads:

"Houston Viewers: MeTV Houston will be seen on a new channel starting Monday, March 29th at 4am.  You will find MeTV with your TV antenna at 51.1; Comcast Xfinity channels 2/616 HD/1051HD; DirecTV, DISH and AT&T on channel 51; SuddenLink on channels 16HD/9/14/15/22/54."

Chicago-based owner Weigel Broadcasting Co. bought KYAZ 51 in November 2020 which has been an Azteca América affiliate.  

The company also purchased KAZD-55 in Dallas (also an Azteca América affiliate) and will also put MeTV on channel 55 DFW starting 3-29-2021 according to the network's website. MeTV has been airing on KTXA 21.2.

Weigel describes MeTV as:

"MeTV is America's number-one all classic television network, reaching more than 95 percent of the country via broadcast stations, cable and satellite. From classic westerns to beloved sitcoms and vintage science fiction, MeTV boasts more than 50 different programs every week. Millions of viewers trust MeTV as the go-to destination for memorable entertainment television."

KPRC reports the station is moving Start TV from 2.4 to 2.2 to fill the void.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Start TV to our viewers here in Houston,” said KPRC 2 Creative Services Director Natalia Egan on the station's website. “Start TV’s inventive lineup presents some of the most compelling female heroines in television drama, portrayed by award-winning actresses who have captivated audiences season after season.”

It's unclear what will happen to the many digital sub-channels that have been airing on KYAZ 51.

That's not all the changes in the digital sub-channel television world.  In Houston, and other TV markets, you might notice the same networks airing on different channels.

That's because The E.W. Scripps Co. purchased Ion Media and started moving the Katz digital multicast networks to the newly acquired stations.

Ion Plus, Qubo and Shop Ion had the plugged pulled on them in late February.  Now you might notice Court TV, Court TV Mystery, Grit and Laff suddenly on channel 49 KPXB and on their original  stations.  

UPDATE AFTER THE SWITCH
MeTV is in 16x9 wide screen compared to the more compressed version before.  Azteca América is now available as a channel 51 sub-channel. Also, a reader told me he was not picking MeTV up on 51.1.  I told him to re-scan his TV.  It worked. He sees the network now at the new location.

UPDATE APRIL 2021

Quest Houston moves to 55.1 from 11.4 - Twist replaces 

Kristie Gonzales promoted to KYTX and KVUE

Tysons VA – TEGNA Inc. announced today that it has promoted Kristie Gonzales to vice president, media operations. In addition to her current role as president and general manager of KVUE in Austin, Gonzales will now also oversee KYTX in Tyler, Texas, and help set the vision for recruiting across TEGNA’s 11 Texas markets.

Gonzales joined KVUE, TEGNA’s ABC affiliate in Austin and one of the top television stations in Central Texas, in 2016 as president and general manager. During her tenure, KVUE has launched the innovative series “Boomtown,” which highlights Central Texas’s explosive growth, and launched award-winning investigations, including an in-depth look at the death of Javier Ambler, who died in the custody of the Williamson County Sherriff Department, and coverage of Austin’s racial justice protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. In the last two years, the station has won ten Emmy® awards and numerous AP awards, and grown monthly active digital users by 24 percent, averaging more than 4 million visitors a month to KVUE.com platforms.

“Kristie is a proven business and community leader dedicated to developing high-quality content across platforms and serving the greater Central Texas community,” said Brad Ramsey, senior vice president of media operations, TEGNA. “In her expanded role, she’ll bring her significant management and marketing expertise to accelerate our leading content, marketing and community efforts across the state, and help lead our vision for recruiting, developing and promoting diverse talent across all of our Texas markets.”

Prior to joining KVUE, Gonzales held various television management roles across the country, specializing in news branding, multi-cultural marketing and harnessing the power of digital and social media. Before joining KVUE, she was the promotion and digital brand manager at WABC in New York City.

Gonzales graduated summa cum laude with double honors from the University of New Mexico. She serves on the board of directors for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the SAFE Alliance and United Way for Greater Austin. She’s a member of the Austin Area Research Organization and spends her free time mentoring women and people of color. She’s been named a Tribeza Magazine Driver of Style, Austin Under 40, Seedling Mentors Fab Five, and most recently, a Girl Scouts of Central Texas 2020 Women of Distinction Rising Star.

About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks True Crime Network and Quest. TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS) offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.

(This post was taken from a TEGNA release)

Chelsey Hernandez leaves abc13 KTRK

Chelsey Hernandez has left the "Stretch Your Dollar" beat at abc13 KTRK.  Her bio has been removed from the station's website.

RELATED
Katherine Whaley leaves abc13 KTRK
Tom Koch retiring from abc13 KTRK

Readers told me they haven't seen Hernandez on television in months.  In addition, Hernandez's social media seemed to have stopped mentioning KTRK related posts around the same time.

Hernandez joined KTRK in 2018 from KENS 5 San Antonio where she was a traffic anchor.

The University of Texas at San Antonio grad started off at channel 13 as a morning consumer reporter.  In 2019, she flipped schedules with Brhe Berry and moved to afternoons.

Hernandez also briefly hosted an online only late morning news program called The Midday.

Prior to San Antonio, Hernandez worked at Newscenter 25 KAVU Victoria as a morning anchor/producer until joining KENS 5 in 2015.

RELATED
Chelsey Hernandez appears in movie

In 2020, Hernandez married Nadim Khan.  You may notice her social media profiles changing over to her new name of Khan.

Katherine Whaley leaves abc13 KTRK

Katherine Whaley has announced she is leaving abc13 KTRK and her morning traffic duties as of  March 25, 2021 to spend more time with her family.

RELATED
Chelsey Hernandez leaves abc13 KTRK
Tom Koch retiring from abc13 KTRK

"I'm really emotional thinking about it," Whaley said on Facebook.  "I've done television for 17 years since 2004. So, yeah, it's been about 17 years. And stepping away definitely feels like a new, new challenge. And I'm here for it. I'm so excited, really happy for the opportunity to be able to spend more time with my family and to focus on some new projects. But if you know me, you know, I'm not going to be far away. You know, my heart is here in Houston. I'm heavily involved in a lot of charities here."

Whaley and her husband, Chris Wadley, had their first child, William, in 2019. They were married in 2016.

The Memorial High School grad joined channel 13 in 2014 after doing morning traffic, anchoring and reporting for KHOU 11 starting in 2009. The award winning journalist was hired to replace longtime channel 13 morning traffic anchor Don Nelson who retired.

The Rice University graduate previously worked as:

- KVBC Las Vegas anchor, reporter and weathercaster. 

- KLFY Lafayette, Louisiana anchor/reporter

- KAVU Victoria MMJ and weathercaster

While at KHOU, Whaley covered her passion for food on both TV and online with her "Dash of Decadence" blog (Motley Crue fans may be reminded of the band's greatest hits package "Decade of Decadence"). 

"Being a TV reporter turned me into a foodie," Whaley told mikemguff.com in 2013. "The news business brought me to several cities with specific regional cuisine, and I was curious about how to cook those dishes at home. When I worked at the CBS affiliate in Lafayette, Louisiana, I picked up tips on gumbo, sweet potato pie, and fried okra. When I worked at the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to interview chefs who made “fancy food” -- lobster bisque, foie gras, foams, powders, truffles, towers, and so on. I ate it up! But, I wasn't always an adventurous eater – I subsisted on hot dogs and PB&J until I was about ten."

Here the internal goodbye message that Whaley sent to the 13 Eyewitness News department:

"It has truly been an honor to work alongside you and serve the Houston community, but it’s time to embark on a new adventure. 

At this time I feel called to spend more time with my family, and I am stepping away from the greenscreen. This is a change I have considered for a while, but it has simply been too hard to walk away from this incredible job and my work family here at Channel 13. But now is the time, and I am excited for what lies ahead.

To all of you, and particularly my morning team, thank you for the love, support, and laughs. I am grateful to have worked with such talented individuals, especially during these extraordinary times. 

I first walked in the doors of Channel 13 as a college intern at Rice, and I am forever indebted to ABC for giving me a first shot at TV. I received the best on-the-job education and learned from the greats (including Marvin Zindler!). 

All I ever wanted to do was return to the station that gave me a start, so the last six years here have been the fulfillment of a career dream. I think of Houston viewers as an extension of my own family, and it has truly been a privilege to have been a part of their daily routines.

Houston is home, and I won’t be far away, so I look forward to staying connected. If you need a good restaurant recommendation, reach out!"

News 4 San Antonio WOAI newscast opens 1979 to 2021

News 4 San Antonio WOAI (previously KMOL) newscast opens from 1979 to the present. 

Courtney Friedman is pregnant during COVID and reporting on it

Courtney Friedman announced she is pregnant.  But instead of just delivering the news on social media like most media types, the KSAT 12 San Antonio weekend anchor/reporter is addressing pregnancy in the times of a pandemic.

JULY 2021
KSAT’s Courtney Friedman gives birth to healthy baby girl

In a video, Friedman talked of the upcoming birth of her little one and further plans to cover COVID-19 pregnancies on the news.

Here is a partial transcript:

"I am elated to announce to a community that I love that I am pregnant. My husband and I are expecting a little girl in July and we are over the moon, to say the least. If you know me and my reporting and my anchoring, I always wear my heart on my sleeve. But even for me, this type of announcement, it's unconventional and it's definitely a little intimidating. 

So why do it? The answer to that is the times we're living in right now. Times are unconventional and they are very intimidating. This is tough. It is scary to be pregnant right now. I've been through some very emotional times over the past five months. And the point is, I know I'm not the only one. 

I know I'm not the only one going in for sonogram appointments by myself at the very end of the appointment, holding up my phone on FaceTime so my husband can see the picture and hear the heartbeat. It's it's difficult. We knew this going in. We're in a pandemic. It's for our own safety. But that doesn't make it any easier. And I know for a fact that there are so many of you making the excruciatingly difficult decision of whether to get this vaccine while being pregnant."

Friedman added that she will take questions from the audience, find answers and report them on TV newscasts and online. 

You can contact her here.

Before joining KSAT in 2014, Friedman worked as a reporter/anchor for KYTX CBS 19 Tyler, Texas. 

The University of Texas at Austin grad interned for FOX 7 KTBC and KXAN Austin.  

Phil Archer's good deed for New Jersey reporter

Just because Phil Archer retired last week from KPRC 2, doesn't mean we have to stop paying tribute.  

RELATED
Phil Archer retirement videos

After I posted about his then upcoming retirement, I received a touching email about the kind of thing Archer did behind the scenes.

"Mike:

I read your story about Phil Archer with much gusto and had to testreach out. Thank you for sharing those anecdotes. My name is Isaac Avilucea, and I'm a reporter in New Jersey. I have never had the privilege of meeting Phil in person, and didn't know much about him until I read your post. 

I was shocked to learn how he almost lost his life during the 1978 Moody Park Riot, only to be dragged to safety by some kids. 

"So a lot of things luckily happened in the right order to prevent it from being a really bad day for my mom," Archer said. 

Those words resonated with me because I could say the same thing about Phil's act of generosity for a stranger.

In December 2016, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC testicular cancer. It had spread to virtually every major organ in my body, including my brain. I was initially given 1-2 years to live, until I transferred to University of Jefferson Hospital in Philly. 

My chances for survival improved to 50 percent. I'm not sure how Phil became aware of my story, all the way in New Jersey, but he did. He tracked down my phone number, like a reporter would, and called me up. 

He told me he wanted to do what he could to help, so he started a GoFundMe page for me. I took an eight- month sabbatical from my newspaper, The Trentonian, to undergo nine rounds of chemotherapy (three of them high dose at UPenn) and underwent a last-step RPLND surgery at Sloan Kettering. The last thing a cancer patient wants to worry about while fighting for their life is money. More than that, surviving cancer is as much about chemotherapy as kinship. Many of the comments left in the GoFundMe steeled me on my worst days.

I was miraculously cured November 16, 2017, when the doctors told me the biopsy showed the football-sized teratoma tumors they removed from my abdomen were benign. I look forward to celebrating my fourth cure anniversary this year. 

I am often amazed about the interconnectivity of humanity. Those kids saved Phil back then, so he could help save me, nearly three decades later. 

To quote the legend himself: A lot of things luckily happened in the right order to prevent it from being a really bad day for my mom.

Best,

-IA"

Isaac Avilucea, The Trentonian newspaper reporter in Trenton, New Jersey that wrote to me, said it best when writing about now former channel 2 reporter Phil Archer.

Al Roker will broadcast from Austin

Al Roker is heading to Austin for a TODAY live broadcast this Friday.  

He is coming to Texas to feature those who are still living with the effects of February's winter storms. 

Matthew McConaughey will be featured to talk about what he has been doing to help the community.

Roker told the KXAN team he might also rent a bicycle, hit the trails and eat at Franklin Barbecue.

Matt Houston joins KENS 5

Matt Houston is joining KENS 5 San Antonio from WAFB Baton Rouge, LA where he works as a weekend anchor/reporter.

Wait, isn't Houston heading to the wrong Texas TV market?  OK, bad joke.

"I’ve searched all day for the right words to describe my time at WAFB," Houston tweeted. "It’s hard to capture the memories in 280 characters. I’m blessed this was my first ‘real’ job.  I’m equally privileged to join KENS5. I move to San Antonio next week. I owe so many of you my gratitude."

Now longtime Tyler TV viewers will recognize the Houston name when it comes to their newscasts.

Matt's dad, Bryan Houston, has been a familiar face in East Texas all the way back to 1980 when he started as a sportscaster at KTRE.  He later worked at KETK as an anchor and assistant news director. From there he joined KLTV as a morning anchor, and then KYTX as a morning and 5pm anchor. Once he left TV news, the elder Houston also worked in radio as a sports director for 99.3 Talk FM KZTK.

"My boy is wrapping up his time in Baton Rouge," the proud dad posted on Facebook about Matt.  "Making a big jump from Market 93 to 31."

According to his bio, from third grade, until he made varsity, Matt attended high school football games his dad called on the radio.

“I made my radio debut in the 8th grade during a 12-overtime game between Jacksonville and Nacogdoches,” Matt wrote in his bio. “It still holds the record for the nation's longest high school football game. After that, I joined him as a color commentator each Friday night.”

The Louisiana State University grad joined the area ESPN radio affiliate and later Tiger TV and KLSU while in college.

During his time at WAFB, Houston won a regional Edward R. Murrow award and EMMY.

Also, if "Matt Houston" sounds familiar, that's because a TV crime series by the same name aired on ABC from 1982 to 1985. Watch the open.

Steve Mark joins WeatherNationTV

Steve Mark, former Houston television sports anchor and news manager, is leaving Space City for Denver to be the news director of WeatherNationTV and America's Voice.

"It's a bit surreal, sometimes, to mark the passage of time; in this case, 36 years here," Mark told mikemcguff.com. "One of the benefits of having worked at just about every TV outlet in Houston (KIAH, KPRC, KRIV, KHOU, Houston Dynamo) is that it's afforded me to build on a wide variety of relationships that I really treasure.  There are a lot of people here that I'll miss."

Mark, certainly left his mark on Houston TV news, from his time as the CW39 KIAH NewsFix managing editor, to his roles at various Houston TV stations as a sports anchor/reporter.

Houston sports fans first caught Mark's work back in December 1984 when he arrived at KHOU 11.  He later moved to FOX 26 KRIV in August 1988.  From there, he joined KPRC 2 in 1997 where he spent the next decade.

"Between reporting sports and news, I've been fortunate to cover a lot of landmark events here: The Rockets' NBA titles, a few no-hitters, (Mike Scott, Darryl Kile) and the Atlanta Olympics that was so Houston-centric," Mark told me. "George Foreman's heavyweight title win in 2007 changed the landscape in boxing for five years, and his KO in Las Vegas was hugely memorable.  Sprinkle in a hurricane or two for good measure.  There's a certain vibe covering those moments that you can't replicate."

In between his decades covering sports and his jump to new management with KIAH, Mark worked for the Houston Dynamo as Director of Public Relations.

The University of Texas grad started in broadcasting with KLBJ 590 AM Austin as a sports reporter. A year later in 1980, Mark moved to TV as a sports anchor/reporter by joining KTVV (now KXAN 36).

From there, the Texas-Ex made the daring move of crossing the Red River by joining KOTV Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Now as he crosses the Texas state line again, Mark is looking forward to his next journey.

"I loved making the jump to management while at KIAH," Mark told me.  "After Tribune eliminated NewsFix, my plan was not to simply find any job, but what I call the Next Big Thing.  This opportunity in Denver is unique and quite special.  The people at WeatherNationTV and America's Voice are really terrific, and are pros at what they do.  I look forward to diving in."

Randy Beamer retirement videos

Randy Beamer retired from News 4 San Antonio WOAI Friday after three decades in San Antonio TV news. Watch the video send offs the station (and even KENS 5) produced for the longtime anchor.

RELATED
Delaine Mathieu exits News 4 San Antonio WOAI

Delaine Mathieu exits News 4 San Antonio WOAI

Delaine Mathieu has announced on Facebook and YouTube that she is gone from News 4 San Antonio WOAI newscasts after 16 years with the station. The longtime 5pm TV news anchor says Tuesday was her last day on the air.

This comes after the much hyped news that San Antonio TV news veteran, and Mathieu's co-anchor, Randy Beamer retired from WOAI.  Mathieu was featured on WOAI's newscast Friday in a goodbye montage to Beamer.

How anchor Delaine Mathieu said goodbye to San Antonio TV viewers

In the video released Saturday, Mathieu offers a tearful goodbye to her colleagues and viewers.

Here is partial transcript of what she said in the video announcement:

"I'm going to keep watching. I'm a huge fan of News 4. I cannot wait to see what happens next and I don't know what I'm going to do next. I'm going to be painting a lot and probably drinking some wine and chillaxing the rest of my days.

This business is is high stress. High adrenaline. So we're mourning and so many levels, but it is, it's fast paced and I'm going to slow down and I'm going to enjoy my girls and I'm going to enjoy my husband. And cut my hair any frickin way I want to, and color it any way I want to, and wear whatever I want to and enjoy life.

But just know that I appreciate all of you for all the years that you've given me. So on that note, I'm going to say goodbye. Not goodbye, I'll see you later. Just not at 5:00 on news 4."

Sinclair Broadcast Group in the headlines

WOAI owner Sinclair Broadcast Group has been in the news this week announcing it was reducing its workforce by approximately 5% which amounts to more than 550 employees due to the pandemic. Mathieu did not mention this or explain the reason for her sudden departure.

"Here come more tears," morning WOAI meteorologist Jeannette Calle posted on Facebook. "Love this lady. Such a great story-teller. Also so caring, loving and passionate. Will also miss you dearly around the station."

"Retirements, next chapters in life...I understand and celebrate these occasions," chief WOAI meteorologist Chris Suchan posted on Facebook.  "It’s just tough to say goodbye. I will miss Randy & Delaine more than words can eloquently explain.  They’re both more than colleagues, they are family to me.  I know we’ll see each other from time to time whether over drinks or backyard grill outs...maybe the next art show “Delaine.”  But seriously, I truly hope you both enjoy the extra time with your families and all your new personal ventures ahead."

Mathieu recently started a website at delainemathieu.com.

Job after TV News and anchoring for News 4 San Antonio WOAI 

On May 19, 2021, Mathieu posted on Twitter that she was going to become a realtor:

"Chapter 2 begins! I'm extremely proud to have joined [Phyllis Browning Co.] to launch my new career in real estate!  It's an exciting time.  My 'set' has changed but my mission hasn't - I'm still here to help any way I can!"

The Phyllis Browning Company social media profile bio states that it has more than 200 real estate professionals in four offices, making it "San Antonio's largest independently-owned residential real estate company."

Mathieu's TV news biography

The Corpus Christ native joined WOAI around 2005 or so after working for WSVN Miami as the top rated "Today in Florida" anchor.

Before Florida, Mathieu worked:

- as an anchor/reporter for KAKE Wichita, Kansas

- as a reporter for KEYE Austin

- as anchor/reporter/producer for KRBC Abilene

The University of Texas at Austin grad interned for WOAI and CNN's Washington D.C. Bureau.

The award winning television news journalist has awards on her shelf including five Lone Star Emmy's and three Texas Associated Press (TAPME) awards.

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

Phil Archer retirement videos

Phil Archer has retired from KPRC 2, so let's take some time to watch all of the videos the station produced in his honor after a four decade career in Houston television news!

 

The Texas Bucket List celebrates 200 Episodes

The syndicated Texas Bucket List celebrates 200 episodes on March 6, 2021.

The award-winning TV series, which airs weekends on KPRC 2 in Houston, shares "the joy, wonder, beauty and excitement of Texas." 

To see where the show airs in your part of Texas, click here.

Each week, host Shane McAuliffe sets out to add more people, places, food and music to a list that every Texan should experience.

McAuliffe has been recognized with numerous television broadcast excellence awards including a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, three Lone Star Emmy Awards, the Barbara Jordan Media Award, several Telly Awards, and multiple Texas Association of Press Broadcasters awards. 

A native of Round Rock, McAuliffe attended The University of Houston. 

The show is produced by McAuliffe Productions, LP located in College Station, Texas.

KHOU 11 dominates 10pm February 2021 TV sweeps

KHOU 11 NEWS AT 10 P.M. DOMINATES HOUSTON - 10 p.m. is Houston leader in key demographics

Houston, March 4, 2021 – KHOU announced today that its 10 p.m. newscast dominates late news in the market, growing 52 percent over January 2021 in A25-54 shares and out-delivering its nearest competitor by 39 percent during the February 2021 ratings period (source: Nielsen, Houston DMA, PAV, M-F 10pm News, Live+SD). 

The 10 p.m. newscast also leads in key demographics, including:

(UPDATE FROM MCGUFF: Univision Houston KXLN has notified me that KHOU is number one in English-language only.  Nielsen ratings numbers provided to me show Univision Houston 45 has higher ratings in Persons 18-49, Persons 25-54, Females 25-54, Males 25-54 and Persons 35-64.)

• #1 with Adult 25-54 shares

• #1 with Women 25-54 shares

• #1 with Men 25-54 shares

• #1 with Adult 18+ shares

• #1 Adult 18-49 shares

• #1 with Adult 35-64 shares

“It’s gratifying to see our trusted local journalism connecting with Houstonians, and knowing they are getting the information they need to make informed decisions in their lives,” said KHOU 11 President and General Manager, Robert Springer. “We ‘Stand for Houston’ and are committed to ensuring all of our newscasts are time well spent for our viewers.”

KHOU also saw notable growth in its early evening newscasts. KHOU11 News at 4 p.m. grew its share by 48 percent in Adults 25-54, and the KHOU11 News at 5 p.m. saw 28 percent share growth in Adults 25-54. 

On digital platforms, KHOU and the KHOU app reached 10.1 million visitors in February, up 94 percent year-over-year while the station’s YouTube site saw 11.4 video plays, a year-over-year increase of 337 percent. (source: Google Analytics February 2021)

“We are proud to serve the Houston community, especially during these unprecedented times,” said KHOU 11 News Director, Elizabeth Roldan. “Our team works every day with passion and dedication to serve our community and keep Houston informed and safe. It is a great responsibility, and we’re honored KHOU has earned the trust of our community.”

I truly believe @KHOU does local journalism the right way. The reporting is ethical and has one goal - help the people of Houston. Glad to see people are responding! #KHOU11 #Houston #localnews pic.twitter.com/HVLVMkqwM7

— Mike Rosenhouse (@mikerosenhouse) March 4, 2021

About KHOU 11
KHOU is a top-rated CBS affiliate in Houston, Texas and has been a leader in local news, information and community involvement for more than six decades. We Stand for Houston by serving and celebrating our community, delivering relevant, trusted content, telling empowering stories, conducting impactful investigations and providing creative and unparalleled solutions for advertisers. KHOU is owned by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), an innovative media company that owns and operates 64 television stations in 51 markets. To learn more about at KHOU please visit www.KHOU.com.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by KHOU 11)

Behind the scenes at KSAT 12

Sara Lowrey: Houston TV news trailblazer

Sara Lowrey of KPRC 2, Houston's first female primetime news anchor, was featured in a nice profile by Dominique Sachse (video above).

RELATED
Judy Jordan, the first female television news anchor of a major US city, started with KDFW 4 Dallas in 1966

Throughout March, KPRC 2 said in a press release it's celebrating the historic accomplishments of groundbreaking women and the current generation changing the face of our communities and country.

“Every day KPRC 2 celebrates Houston’s diverse communities through our storytelling,” said KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin. “We will continue our efforts by recognizing the wealth of history-making women who have come before us, and many currently walking amongst us.”

One of the stories in the station's “Voices of Houston” series is on the groundbreaking Lowrey, who reported and anchored "Big 2 News at 6" with Larry Rasco starting in 1974 after moving to Houston.

Lowrey told Sachse she received a warm reception but did not get as many stories to read on air at first.  

“I always felt like we had to put our best foot forward,” Lowrey told Sachse. “We had to look nice. We had to talk nice. We had to be nice, so that we wouldn’t screw it up for the people that would come behind us.”

If you Google Lowrey's name, a report from the "Houston Breakthrough" newspaper's 1977 report on women in Houston television and radio. This coverage will give you an idea of what things were like at the end of that decade.  Familiar names interviewed include Jan Carson, Elma Barrera and Deborah Wrigley of abc13 KTRK, along with Jackie McCauley of 101 KLOL.

As for Lowrey, she was on channel 2 for most of her television news career, which spanned nearly a decade.  The University of Texas grad went on to start Lowrey Communications.  

She also serves as the Director at the Institute for the Humanities at Salado.

KPRC 2 anchors talk mom guilt and balancing it all

Houston Life's Courtney Zavala is sitting down with fellow KPRC 2 mothers, to discuss the mom life while juggling a TV career.

All this week, Zavala talks with Amy Davis, Sofia Ojeda and Britta Merwin about mom guilt and trying to balance it all. 

“I think you have to give yourself a little bit of grace, because it’s not going to go away," Davis said.  "You’re not going to be perfect. What I’ve found is I’m never going to do everything 100% to my satisfaction at work, or 100% to my satisfaction at home. So you have to find the balance.”

The KPRC journalists also discuss what its like going virtual and working from home.

"In our business, perfection is sort of a standard. We try not to make mistakes, especially technically and all of that," Zavala said.  "When you’re at home...during a pandemic, all bets are off. We were lucky to get it on the air.”

Texas TV news and radio job moves February 2021

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list.

- Best TV News Bloopers February 2021
- KHOU 11 dominates 10pm February 2021 TV sweeps

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

WFAA wins duPont-Columbia Award, broadcast equivalent of Pulitzer Prize, for reporting on climate change.

Nexstar Broadcasting President Timothy Busch to Retire.

Ron Corning of CW33 KDAF's Morning After interviews Tammy Dombeck about her CBS federal age discrimination lawsuit concerning her time at CBS 11 DFW KTVT.

CBS 11 KTVT Photojournalist Sal Rios Shares Personal Struggle With COVID-19.

Mark 'Hawkeye' Louis Inducted Into Country Radio Hall Of Fame.

Rachel Ryan joins middays for New Country KSCS 96.3 FM in Dallas, TX.

WFAA 8 Health & Wellness Reporter Sonia Azad celebrates five years with the station.

Entercom Promotes Vince Richards And JT Springer In Dallas.

Joel Burke Exits PD Post At KCBI (90.9)/Dallas.

WFAA 8 Daybreak says goodbye to senior producer Tiffany Johnson who is moving to the TEGNA station's 5pm newscast.

Hannah Davis to co-host WFAA's 'Good Morning Texas'; Alanna Sarabia Leaving
David Goins leaves WFAA
Katelyn Maida fills Kevin Kline seat on The New 93Q from New Country 96.3 KSCS

HOUSTON

Former CW39 KIAH Station Manager, Harvey Saxer, joins KMBC/KCWE Hearst Kansas City, Missouri as Director of Sales.

Operations manager Bernard Francis takes Disney buyout from abc13 KTRK and retires.

Susan Carroll, senior editor for investigations at the Houston Chronicle, joins ProPublica as a senior editor for its Local Reporting Network.

Houston Chronicle business of health care investigative reporter, Jenny Deam, joins ProPublica as Washington, D.C. based health care reporter.

David Baes, known on air as David Bradley, took the helm as general manager of KPFT 90.1 FM.

The KSBJ Morning Show celebrates our 5 year anniversary.

SportsRadio 610 KILT-AM only Houston sports station cited in national poll.

The E.W. Scripps takeover of Ion Media has led to a big shakeup of subchannels on KPXB channel 49 and all other Ion stations across the country.

KHOU 11 news director Nick Burch has left the station.

Tom Koch retiring from abc13 KTRK
Yes, Justin Stapleton and Brandi Smith are a couple
Brhe Berry is pregnant with baby #2
Elita Loresca returns
Chelsey Hernandez is married
Dominique Sachse's Valentine's Day video
Texas TV anchor love stories
Lauren Leal filling-in on CW39
Changes coming to 90.9 KTSU mornings
Did KPRC reporter meltdown on live TV?
ATSC 3.0 TV in Houston and DFW
Courtney Fischer recovering from COVID-19
Rekha Muddaraj gives birth to baby #3
Deven Clarke joins KPRC 2
Phil Archer to retire from KPRC 2 after 44 years
Houston TV anniversaries decades in the making!
Mattress Mack on Ellen DeGeneres Show
Dominique Sachse talks Houston freeze

SAN ANTONIO

Y100 San Antonio Sets New On-Air Lineup.

Randy Beamer announces retirement from News 4 San Antonio WOAI
Audrey Castoreno gives birth to baby

AUSTIN

KLBJ-FM Moves Dudley & Bob with Matt Back To Mornings.

Deb O’Keefe Departs Mornings At 101X Austin.

Marin Austin joins FOX 7 KTBC

AROUND TEXAS

Iris Rodriguez Named KTLM News Director.

KTXS (Abilene, Texas) News Director Jamie Burch joins KXXV 25 Waco, Temple, Killeen.

Charlie Hodges wrapped up his broadcast career by anchoring the morning shift of newscasts on the Texas State Network.

KGNC/Amarillo Adds Kelsey Schuler As MD/Content Director/Night Host.

KTEX/McAllen Midday Host Amanda Mey Goes On ‘Permanent Maternity Leave.’

Weekend sports anchor/reporter Claudia Faust leaves NewsChannel 10 KFDA Amarillo, TX to join Sports360AZ Arizona.

Hits 101.3 Brings Oldies To Waco.

KIII wins big in Corpus Christi Best of the Best awards

REMEMBERING

97.1 The Eagle KEGL radio host Russ Martin was found dead in his home early Saturday morning, according to Frisco police.