Marc Istook announced his departure today from the co-anchor position on WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth's morning newscast Daybreak, effective February 20, 2026.
SAME DAY AT TEGNA HOUSTON SISTER STATION
- Shern-Min Chow to leave KHOU 11 Houston
- News director Kathryn Bonfield has left KHOU 11 Houston
Here is a portion of what Istook posted on social:
"This experience has been a wish come true. As a kid, I dreamed of getting to work for WFAA and am eternally grateful for having had this opportunity. To the viewers - I’m humbled to have been welcomed into your home, bright and early, day after day. Thank you for taking the time to say “hello” out and about in the community, for the countless conversations and the chance to hear your stories. Those little moments were a big deal to me. You’ve made this job personal and unforgettable.
I’ll especially miss the Daybreak team - on air, behind the scenes, in the control room, newsroom, and everywhere in between. Their talent, dedication and friendship are second to none. The work they do is extraordinary (and often in the dead of night while everyone else is asleep) and it’s been an honor to be a part of the team. I’m proud that in the past 6 years the show’s taken home 4 Emmys for best morning newcast - a testament to the high standards we’ve all aspired to achieve.
This isn’t goodbye - merely the close of a great chapter and the start of a new one. I’m excited to share with you what I’ll be doing next. But in the meantime, please know that I’ll always be grateful for this experience and the people who made it so special."
- Erica Lopez joins WFAA 8 DFW
Istook joined the Channel 8 morning news in July 2019 alongside Kara Sewell, meteorologist Greg Fields, and then traffic anchor Tashara Parker.
A Fort Worth native, Istook is a A graduate of Southwest High School and Texas Christian University (TCU) where he hosted radio shows on the school's station, KTCU.
HE began his television career behind the scenes, producing graphics for ESPN.
The four-time Emmy-winning anchor's first on-air job was at KTEN 10 Sherman, where he served as a sportscaster and news anchor. His work there earned recognition from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters.
In 2001, Istook headed west to Los Angeles, launching a wide-ranging career that spanned news, entertainment, technology, and sports. He covered stories for major outlets, including TV Guide Network, CNN, Yahoo!, the BBC, ABC.com, and CityTV Santa Monica. Along the way, he hosted and co-hosted a variety of programs, including SPEED Channel’s Car Warriors, Food Network’s Gotta Get It, Ovation TV’s Trending Trailers, and Yahoo!’s tech series The Future Is Now. He also provided voiceover work for Old Navy’s national “On Weekly” commercial campaign.
Istook became a familiar face in sports media during his five-year run with NFL Media, where he hosted NFL Now, NFL GameDay Live, NFL Fantasy Live, and #NFLBlitz, as well as occasional fill-in work on NFL AM. His time with the NFL Network allowed him to blend his passion for football with national sports broadcasting—while never hiding his loyalty to the Dallas Cowboys.
Beyond sports, Istook spent a decade as host of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Emmys Backstage Live, delivering exclusive behind-the-scenes content and interviews with Emmy winners. He has also covered major awards shows, including the Emmys, Golden Globes, Oscars, and Grammys, and worked as a red-carpet host for major film premieres.
(Thanks Murdoch)
