Ilona Carson is leaving abc13 KTRK after 16 years, she announced on the 4pm news today.
Back in February 2021, Carson sent an email to the channel 13 news department, obtained by mikemcguff.com, with her intentions to step away:
"I am writing to share some personal news with you, my ABC 13 family. After 16 amazing years at KTRK, I have decided to step away from the anchor desk and the daily whirlwind of live news.
Working with you all has been a true privilege and dream come true. Now I’m ready to pursue another dream: to focus solely on my family and be fully present during these precious years that seem to be speeding by.
This decision hasn’t been an easy one, but I know in my heart it’s the right one for my husband and children.
Making this dream even sweeter, I will still be a part of the ABC 13 family. I’m beyond excited to work on future projects with our different departments. And I’m not going anywhere yet.. I’ll be a part of the newsroom until summer."
Carson arrived at abc13 in 2005 to anchor the 4pm newscast. From there, she added duties like the 6:30pm news and later the 10pm newscast.
In 2018, after five years on the late news, Carson left the 10pm newscast to spend more time with her three children - two boys and a girl.
Before Houston, Carson worked for FOX 10 KSAZ Phoenix. The University of Pennsylvania graduate also worked for KAMR in Amarillo.
Throughout her television news career, Carson has won a Lone Star EMMY award, a National Headliner award, and a Gracie award.
Carson's last day at abc13 KTRK as a news anchor will be June 18, 2021. We will stay tuned for what is next for her at channel 13.
abc13 KTRK Houston on-air staffer departures in last year:
- David Nuño leaves abc13 KTRK for TexAgs
- Rehan Aslam leaving KTRK for WABC
- Katherine Whaley leaves abc13 KTRK
- Chelsey Hernandez leaves abc13 KTRK
- Tom Koch retiring from abc13 KTRK
- Deborah Wrigley to leave abc13 KTRK
- Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK
- Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK
