Kathryn Bonfield joins KHOU 11 as news director

Kathryn Bonfield has been named the new KHOU 11 Houston news director. 

She brings over 30 years of experience in local television broadcasting, digital media, and streaming to the TEGNA-owned CBS affiliate.

Bonfield joins KHOU 11 after a 13-year tenure as News Director at Graham Media Group-owned News4JAX WJXT Jacksonville, Florida (Graham Media Group owns KHOU competitor KPRC 2).

During her time at WJXT, Bonfield transformed the station’s news operations, expanding local news programming to nearly 60 hours per week across TV and streaming platforms. She also established an investigative team and created a Senior Data Producer role to enhance investigative journalism. Through partnerships with Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute, she organized election debates and town halls.

Before WJXT, Bonfield was the assistant news director for WFLA 8 in Tampa for nearly four years and, before that, the news director for WCBD Charleston, South Carolina, for three years.

According to LinkedIn, Bonfield began her career with WFLA in 1992 as a news producer.  For the next 12 years, she worked her way up to executive producer and eventually assistant news director. 

KHOU notes that Bonfield is a champion of equity and inclusion, implementing strategies that strengthened newsroom culture and ensured diverse storytelling that reflected the entire community.

"Kathryn's leadership and commitment to high standards of local journalism will be a tremendous asset to our newsroom and the Houston community," said David Loving, President and General Manager of KHOU 11 in a release. "Her extensive experience across severe weather reporting, reaching audiences across platforms, investigative journalism, and community outreach make her an exceptional addition to our team."

"I am excited to join KHOU 11 and look forward to serving Houston's communities through dedicated, integrity-driven local news," added Bonfield.

A lifelong learner, Bonfield is pursuing a doctoral degree in Organizational Change and Leadership at USC. She graduated from the University of Florida and earned her master's degree from the University of North Florida.

A devoted rock fan, she has attended 14 Rolling Stones concerts. As a baseball enthusiast, she has visited 20 Major League Baseball parks, with plans to see them all. Bonfield leads an active lifestyle, enjoys traveling with family, and is rebuilding after Hurricane Helene impacted her Gulf Coast home. She was also inducted into her high school’s Hall of Fame for her career achievements.

Bonfield takes over for Liz Roldán, who left KHOU in October 2024.