The Waco–Temple–Killeen television market has experienced turnover over the past several months, with changes involving anchors, reporters, meteorologists, and station management.
I wasn't blogging when some of these happened, so let's go.
One of the biggest departures is Jasmin Caldwell, a longtime face of KCEN 6 and its Texas Today morning newscast. Caldwell announced that August 11, 2026, would be her final day at the TEGNA-owned station after nine years.
Caldwell joined KCEN in 2017 and worked her way into the station's anchor lineup after previously serving as a weekend evening anchor and weekday reporter. She became part of a historic moment in 2022 when she, Taheshah Moise and Ashley Carter formed what NBC News described as the first Black female anchor team of its kind in the country.
During her career at KCEN, Caldwell covered some of Central Texas' biggest stories. She was among the first to report that skeletal remains discovered in a Killeen neighborhood were those of missing Fort Hood soldier Gregory Morales, who had been classified as AWOL before his death was discovered nearly a year later.
Caldwell also provided extensive coverage of the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush as Texas A&M University prepared to bury him at his presidential library and museum. Her investigative reporting included a look at Bull Hill Cemetery, a historic burial ground used for enslaved people in Texas dating to 1849.
Her reporting has also earned appearances on programs including Dateline, Nancy Grace, Investigation Discovery and Daily Blast Live.
In announcing her departure, Caldwell emphasized her connection to Central Texas, telling viewers that journalism was about more than being on television and that some of her most meaningful experiences came from connecting with people throughout Waco, Temple, Belton, Killeen and surrounding communities.
Caldwell also made clear on Facebook that she is not leaving Central Texas: "Just to be clear, I will still be living here in Central Texas. I'm not moving. So you will still see me around."
Caldwell is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
KCEN has seen additional changes to its morning lineup. Lindsay Liepman moved from the station's evening newscasts to Texas Today in February 2026. Liepman previously appeared on KCEN's 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts alongside Baylee Bates and Adrian Carbajal. She moved to mornings, where she joined the Texas Today team.
Meanwhile, Micah Wilson, who joined Texas Today as a co-anchor in 2023 and became known for the "JustAKidFromTheCreek" branding, departed KCEN. Wilson subsequently joined the News 9 team in Oklahoma in April 2026 as a weeknight reporter, where he is covering stories across the state.
Julieanna Jackson leaves KCEN
KCEN 6 also said goodbye to Julieanna Jackson, who announced her departure in August 2026 after two years at the station.
Jackson joined the 6 News team in August 2024 as a multimedia journalist. During her time in Central Texas, she covered a wide variety of stories, including the military, transmission lines, data centers, crime, fires, investigations, ranching, economics and education.
In announcing her departure, Jackson reflected on beginning her professional television career at KCEN immediately after college.
Jackson graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in Journalism and a minor in Law. While at Ole Miss, she worked as a reporter and anchor for the student-run NewsWatch Ole Miss.
- Matt Farrell leaves KCEN Waco
25 News also sees changes
Across town, Dominique Leh announced her departure from 25 News KXXV in August 2026 after more than three years at the station.
We're still waiting to see the outcome of owner Scripps' recent layoffs.
Leh joined KXXV in August 2023 and served as the Neighborhood Reporter for Waco and Baylor University. Before coming to Central Texas, she spent two years at KBMT in Beaumont as a reporter, editor and producer.
A native Texan, Leh moved to Kingsville when she was six, then later settled in Kirbyville, where she graduated from high school in 2017. She attended Lamar University, where she played four years of women's tennis and earned a degree in broadcasting in 2021.
KXXV added Thomas Patrick earlier in 2026. Patrick joined 25 News and 15 ABC as a weekend meteorologist and Neighborhood Reporter in March 2026. He arrived in Central Texas after forecasting in Spokane, Washington, at KREM.
Before his time in the Pacific Northwest, Patrick worked at WICS in Springfield, Illinois. His television broadcast meteorology career began at KNBN in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Patrick brings approximately 13 years of weather experience and has worked in television markets across the country before landing in Central Texas.
- Leslee Lacey joins KXXV as Good Morning Texas meteorologist
- Madison Myers joins KXAN Austin
- Bella Popadiuk joins KENS 5 in San Antonio
- Allison Hill joins KVUE Austin
Longtime Waco TV manager retires
Mike Lee, a longtime Texas television executive and former KXXV general manager, retired from his role with Nexstar's FOX 44 KWKT Waco-Temple-Killeen after a career spanning more than five decades in broadcasting.
A retirement party honoring Lee was held at the Greater Waco Chamber in June 2025.
Lee had been promoted by Nexstar in 2020 to vice president and general manager overseeing the company's broadcast and digital operations serving the Waco, Temple and Bryan markets, including KWKT-TV and KYLE-TV.
His career in Waco television dates back years before that. Lee served as vice president and general manager of KXXV for 11 years before leaving the station in 2016.
He previously spent decades with KFDA-TV in Amarillo, beginning his broadcasting career there in 1971 while still in high school. He eventually rose through the ranks to become KFDA's vice president and general manager in 1987.
By the time of his retirement, Lee had accumulated more than 50 years of experience in broadcast management, sales, marketing and television operations.
- Parker Rehm joins ABC30 KFSN Fresno
