Isis Romero, the long-running KSAT 12 San Antonio Nightbeat anchor, let TV viewers know her contract was not renewed with the station.
UPDATE APRIL 2022
Isis Romero joins KENS San Antonio
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2021
Stephania Jimenez joins KSAT San Antonio
Her last day with the station was a few weeks ago.
Isis Romero posts goodbye to KSAT San Antonio viewers
Here is what Romero posted to Facebook:
"To my loyal viewers,
You have always expected transparency and honesty from me, and over the years I have worked to deliver that to you as KSAT's 10pm anchor. For this reason, I wanted to share with you that KSAT has decided not to renew my contract, and terminated my duties moving forward. My last day on the air was July 12.
As you can imagine, the past two weeks have been filled with tremendous sadness, and words cannot fully express my emotions. I am heartbroken beyond measure.
I enjoyed anchoring San Antonio's #1 newscast for the past decade, and I especially took pride in representing my culture and community as the city's most tenured Latina news anchor currently on English-language TV. The past 11 years were filled with contributions and successes I will always be proud of. To my colleagues, it was an honor to work alongside you all these years.
When I came to San Antonio in 2010, I fell in love with the city-- it is here where I built a home, a family, and a future. I care so deeply about our viewers and our community-- and though my role with KSAT has ended, my love for you, the people of San Antonio, has not stopped.
I want to thank those of you who have supported me with your viewership these past 11 years, and for the incredible love and kindness you have shown me. I will be forever grateful."
Romero's TV resume and family life
Romero joined KSAT in 2010 as a weekend anchor/reporter.
She previously worked for KSAZ Phoenix, Arizona and KZTV Corpus Christi.
The University of Texas at Austin grad, who grew up in Robstown, Texas, is married to KENS-5 reporter/anchor Phil Anaya.
Statements released concerning Romero not being renewed at KSAT
Phil Lane, the vice president and general manager of KSAT, said in a statement:
"We want to thank Isis Romero for her many contributions to KSAT TV and we wish her much success in her future ventures. KSAT 12 has always strived for a workplace reflective of our vibrant and diverse community both in front of and behind the camera. This is a cornerstone of our culture and will continue to be so."
"The San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists is shocked and troubled by the termination of Isis Romero from her position as the longtime, revered anchor for KSAT-TV’s Nightbeat. Her departure comes just seven weeks after SAAHJ released its diversity audit of TV anchors, in which Romero co-led.The audit revealed a severe lack of Latino representation among anchors in San Antonio’s top four general market stations. It pointed out that only 21 percent of KSAT’s anchors were Latino. Overall, Latinos made up only a quarter of all anchors at the time the report was published in May, compared to a city where Latinos make up 65 percent of the population.“We are deeply concerned about the decision by KSAT not to renew Isis Romero’s contract. She has been part of our association family for years. The lack of representation of Latinos and Hispanic journalists in news in San Antonio is beyond disappointing. Her departure means one less Latina at the anchor desk,” said Laura Garcia, president of SAAHJ.After the audit was published, KSAT leadership contacted SAAHJ to have a meeting to discuss their diversity efforts. SAAHJ appreciated the outreach, though it appears the meeting has not resulted in the improvement of on-air diversity.Romero was born and raised in Robstown, a small town near Corpus Christi. She has been a fixture in the San Antonio television scene for more than a decade, serving as a Tejana role model for the community. We look forward to learning more about the circumstances of her departure."
