Maddie Kirker leaves Spectrum News 1 Texas

Maddie Kirker has announced she is leaving Spectrum News 1 Texas in August 2026.

Kirker joined Spectrum News 1 Texas in August 2024 as a morning meteorologist. Based in Austin, she later moved from the morning weather shift to the station’s 5 p.m. newscast in January 2026.

Before joining Spectrum News, Kirker was the morning and noon meteorologist for “Wake Up CBUS” at 10TV WBNS in Columbus, Ohio, where she joined the Doppler 10 Weather Team in November 2022.

Kirker previously spent three years as the weekday noon and 4 p.m. meteorologist at News 3 WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia. She also worked as the weekend morning meteorologist at FOX 21 KXRM/KXTU in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the morning meteorologist at WPDE ABC15 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and a meteorologist at WCBI in Columbus, Mississippi.

A 2011 graduate of Mississippi State University, Kirker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Meteorology. While attending Mississippi State, she earned first place among 1,500 undergraduate competitors in the National Collegiate Weather Challenge and finished fourth overall in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

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Fmr. KPRC 2 reporter Jake Reiner talks after parents' murders

Former KPRC 2 Houston reporter Jake Reiner gave his first sit-down interview to ABC 7 KABC Los Angeles's Marc Cota-Robles eight months after his parents were killed.

Watch the interview above.

“As a reporter, I did it for 10 years, I came up on crime scenes all the time,” Reiner said. “But when it's your crime scene, a crime scene at your childhood home, it’s like the most surreal thing I've ever seen."

His brother, Nick, was later arrested and charged with two counts of murder in the killings of their father, Hollywood director and actor Rob Reiner, and their mother, Michele Reiner.

Jake Reiner was with KPRC from 2015 to 2018.

Shane Hinton Joins CBS Chicago as Meteorologist

Shane Hinton is joining CBS Chicago’s First Alert Weather Team after spending the past two years at sister station CBS Miami WFOR.

CBS Chicago announced Hinton’s arrival on August 25, 2026. He will make his first appearance on the station’s newscasts Saturday, August 29, during the 5 a.m. newscast.

While at CBS Miami, the Emmy-nominated meteorologist served as a weekday meteorologist and helped launch the station’s immersive AR/VR Weather Sphere, an advanced weather presentation technology designed to give viewers a more interactive look at weather conditions.

Hinton brings extensive experience forecasting severe weather. Before moving to Miami, he spent nearly four years at KVUE in Austin, joining the station in November 2020.

He moved to KVUE’s Daybreak morning newscast in October 2022, succeeding Hunter Williams, who shifted from mornings to become KVUE’s evening chief meteorologist. Hinton remained with the Austin ABC affiliate until October 11, 2024, when he left the station to join CBS Miami.

Before coming to Austin, Hinton was a weekend meteorologist at WCTI-TV 12 and FOX 8/14 in New Bern, North Carolina. While there, he covered Hurricane Florence, the historic 2018 storm that devastated parts of eastern North Carolina.

Hinton is a graduate of the University of Miami, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in meteorology as well as a Master of Professional Science in atmospheric science and broadcast meteorology. During his time at the university, he conducted research on the accuracy of hurricane forecast models and on the overall performance of forecast models for the South Florida climate.

He also interned with NBC News and worked as a meteorologist for the University of Miami’s UMTV station.

Natalie Spala joins NBC 5 Chicago

Natalie Spala will join the NBC 5 Chicago WMAQ News team as weekend sports anchor/reporter beginning Monday, August 31. Spala will also contribute to NBC 5 Chicago’s weekly sports highlights and features program, Sports Sunday, hosted by Lou Canellis. 

The announcement was made by Vince Lattanzio, News Director, NBC 5 Chicago.

“Natalie is an exceptional journalist whose energy, knowledge and passion will be tremendous assets to our team,” said Lattanzio. “From breaking news to championship moments, Natalie has demonstrated an ability to connect with audiences through thoughtful reporting and engaging storytelling. We’re excited to welcome Natalie to NBC 5 and look forward to introducing her to sports fans across the Chicago area.”

Prior to joining NBC 5 Chicago, the Emmy Award-winning journalist served as a sports anchor/reporter at WJLA-TV, the ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C., from 2023 to 2026. During her tenure, she anchored weekday and weekend sportscasts and extensively covered the region’s professional sports teams with an emphasis on the NFL’s Washington Commanders. In addition, Spala recently earned an Emmy Award for her coverage of the tragic 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision.

From 2021 to 2023, Spala was a weekend news-sports anchor/reporter and sideline reporter at WCIV-TV, the ABC affiliate in Charleston, S.C. In that role, she anchored weekend sportscasts and newscasts, delivered live reports, and produced numerous sports and news feature stories. Spala also co-anchored the station’s popular high school football program, Friday Night Rivals, served as a color analyst for live high school basketball broadcasts and South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) state championship games, and worked as a sideline reporter for the state’s high school football championship coverage.

Spala started her television career at WPBN-TV, the NBC affiliate in Traverse City, Mich., where she worked as a news anchor/reporter and sports reporter from 2019 to 2021. In that role, she reported for evening newscasts, spot anchored broadcasts, and wrote, edited, and co-anchored the station’s Friday night football and basketball highlights programs.

A native of Livonia, Mich., Spala earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and screen studies from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where she was a four-year scholar-athlete and standout member of the Wolverines women’s basketball team.

(Taken from a press release sent to me by NBC Universal)

Derick Garcia joins KPRC 2 Houston

HOUSTON –  KPRC 2 is expanding its investment in accountability journalism with award-winning Texas journalist Derick Garcia, who currently serves as Executive Reporter for ENOUGH, KPRC 2’s new accountability initiative launching September 13.

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Garcia brings more than a decade of Texas journalism experience to the role, including extensive work in investigative and accountability reporting. Before coming to KPRC 2, he served as an evening anchor and lead reporter for 4 Investigates at CBS4 and NBC23 in the Rio Grande Valley, where he helped launch the station’s investigative unit and led in-depth reporting focused on issues affecting South Texas communities.

As Executive Reporter for ENOUGH, Garcia works largely behind the scenes, helping guide and strengthen the team’s investigative reporting and ensuring important stories reach Houstonians across KPRC 2’s broadcast and digital platforms.

“ENOUGH represents a significant investment in the kind of journalism we believe Houston deserves. Journalism that listens, investigates and keeps asking questions until we get meaningful answers,” said Ana Lastra, KPRC 2 News Director. “Derick understands that mission. His investigative experience, Texas roots and commitment to accountability make him an important part of this team.”

A Brownsville native, Garcia began his television career behind the scenes as a producer before moving into reporting and anchoring. He is a two-time Texas Association of Broadcasters Best Reporter recipient, an Edward R. Murrow Award winner for Best Documentary and an Emmy-nominated investigative journalist. Before beginning his journalism career, Garcia served four years in the U.S. Navy.

His role is part of KPRC 2’s investment in ENOUGH and its commitment to original accountability reporting.

“The role takes me away from being on camera, but it gives me an opportunity to pursue a new passion,” Garcia said when announcing his move to KPRC 2. “I’ll be sharing the incredible work the ENOUGH team produces with one goal: to help Houstonians.”

ENOUGH premieres Sunday, September 13 at 10 p.m. on KPRC 2. Reporting from the ENOUGH team will also be available across Click2Houston.com and KPRC 2’s digital and social platforms.

(Taken from a press release sent to me by KPRC)

DFW TV crew becomes part of their own machete story

FOX 4 KDFW Dallas-Fort Worth weekend anchor Casey Stegall and photojournalist Richie Roberson may have helped police find a machete-wielding suspect in a North Texas park last week.

- Former FOX 26 reporter chased by man while jogging, featured on Inside Edition

Ugochi Iloka is KHOU 11 Saturday AM anchor "for now"

Ugochi Iloka announced she is the KHOU 11 Houston Saturday morning anchor, and as she put it, "for now." 

Stay tuned.

- Trason Bragg promoted to KHOU 11 Houston noon anchor

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Texas Broadcast Museum in Kilgore expands footprint

One of my favorite spots in Kilgore, Texas, is The Texas Broadcast Museum.

I not only shot a lot of b-roll footage for my 101 KLOL Houston documentary "Runaway Radio," but I also screened it at the Texas Radio Hall of Fame induction. 

Big news for the museum as it has bought a 21,000-square-foot building next door to make room for its growing collection of donated broadcast equipment.

 Museum founder Chuck Conrad told KLTV's Jamey Boyum that FOX 4 KDFW has already contacted the museum about donating equipment as the station plans to move to its new Las Colinas studios. He also said WFAA 8 DFW has inquired about donating a live truck. 

The new building won't be a part of the museum proper, but a retail store and repair shop. The museum also plans to sell the type of electronic items that Radio Shack once sold.

Andrea González joins Telemundo 49 Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. – Aug. 24, 2026 – Telemundo 49 Tampa / WRMD, part of NBCUniversal Local’s Telemundo Station Group, announced that Andrea González has been named news anchor for Noticiero Telemundo 49, effective today, Monday, Aug. 24.

González has more than 17 years of journalism experience across the United States and Mexico. Most recently, she served as anchor of Punto de Visión on Visión Latina Network in Los Angeles. Prior to that, she spent eight years as an anchor for Univision 34 in Los Angeles, where she anchored the station’s 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts.

“Andrea is an accomplished journalist whose extensive anchoring and reporting experience makes her a strong addition to our newsroom,” said Meredith Veloz, News Director, Telemundo 49 Tampa. “Her commitment to journalism and ability to connect with Latino audiences will strengthen our news team, and we are excited to welcome her to Tampa Bay.”

Prior to joining Univision 34, González served as Univision’s Mexico Correspondent from 2014 to 2016, covering major national and international stories, including the disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa students and the prison escape of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Earlier in her career, she served as lead anchor for the morning newscast INFO7 on TV Azteca Noreste.

González’s work has earned her five Emmy Awards, including a 2019 regional Emmy for “Hollywood: The Sign That Changed History.” Her journalism has also been recognized for newscast, election, breaking news and informational programming.

González earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. She is also the author of Latinas de Éxito, published in 2024 and based on interviews highlighting the stories of successful Latina women in the United States.

Christian Villegas Named News Director for Telemundo 39 Phoenix & Telemundo 40 Tucson

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Aug. 24, 2026 – Telemundo 39 / KTAZ and Telemundo 40 / KHRR, part of NBCUniversal Local’s Telemundo Station Group, announced the promotion of Christian Villegas to news director, effective today, Aug. 24.

In his new role, Villegas will oversee news editorial, production and operations for Noticiero Telemundo Arizona across Telemundo 39 and Telemundo 40’s TV, streaming, digital and social platforms. He will report to Andrew Deschapelles, President and General Manager of the Telemundo-owned stations serving Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas.

A four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, Villegas has spent the past 11 years with KTAZ and KHRR, most recently as executive producer. He joined the stations in 2016 as an intern and advanced through editorial and newsroom leadership roles, including photojournalist, assignment editor, content producer, evening news producer, and senior producer.

“Christian is a passionate newsroom leader who has spent the past 10 years helping build our culture of service from within,” said Deschapelles. “He understands our audience, knows our newsroom and shares our team’s deep commitment to serving the community. I’m incredibly proud to promote him into this critical leadership role and excited to see him lead our news team into the future.”

Throughout his tenure with KTAZ and KHRR, Villegas has played a key role in the newsroom’s editorial strategy and special coverage, serving as political coverage lead and special coverage coordinator and helping guide a team whose work contributed to Noticiero Telemundo Arizona achieving No. 1 rankings across all languages for both daytime and primetime newscasts.

“I am deeply honored to continue leading our exceptionally talented team of journalists who work every day to empower our community,” said Villegas. “Our community relies on access to transparent and valuable information, and at Noticiero Telemundo Arizona, they can count on us to deliver it with accuracy, integrity and commitment.”

Villegas’ journalism has been recognized with four Emmy Awards for work spanning field production, photojournalism and newscast production. He attended Mesa Community College and is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Noticiero Telemundo Arizona is presented on Telemundo 39 and Telemundo 40 Monday through Friday at 11 a.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 10 p.m., and weekends at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.