Charly Edsitty, the ABC13 Houston KTRK weekend anchor, went national on the network as the United States celebrated 250 years of independence.
On July 4th, ABC aired "Disney Celebrates America," which ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic called “the longest commercial broadcast in history.” It was a 24-hour programming marathon from 10 p.m. July 3rd to 11 p.m. July 4th.
The ABC broadcast featured live reports from across the country, with Houston and San Antonio represented.
ABC News correspondent John Quiñones reported live from the San Antonio River Walk and Edsitty from Eleanor Tinsley Park ahead of Houston's Freedom Over Texas celebration, with a story about how Indigenous communities explain what the holiday means to them (WATCH BELOW).
Here is what Edsitty posted on social about the experience:
"It was an honor to work with ABC News to report this important story.
Indigenous history goes back further than 250 years & we have fought so hard to keep our culture and traditions alive.
I am so PROUD to represent my Native community on national television and do it from Houston — a beautiful city that celebrates diversity!!
Thank you to every single person who contributed to this story, especially the people we interviewed! It was an incredible experience I will never forget.
Edsitty, a Navajo Nation citizen, also won a 2025 Gracie Award for her work on "Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation," via her work with ABC Audio.
