Melanie Lawson returns to ABC13 anchor desk

Melanie Lawson was back anchoring on the ABC13 KTRK Houston anchor desk today on the 11am newscast with Jeff Ehling and meteorologist Rachel Briers.

Special thanks to all of Lawson's loyal viewers who immediately contacted me about her return. 

UPDATE
Here is the transcript with Lawson's opening remarks at the beginning of the June 26, 2025, ABC13 Eyewitness News at 11am newscast:

"And I'm Melanie Lawson. It's been so long since I've said that it took me a second there, but it's been a while since I've had the pleasure of saying those words, I have to say, it is so good to be back with you, Jeff and Rachel, and it's wonderful to be back with all of you.

Of course, we've got a lot of news to get to this morning, and I will get right to that, but I wanted to start by saying thank you. Over the last few months, I've been overwhelmed by your kindness. I've gotten so many lovely messages and well wishes from so many of you and I can't tell you how much it has meant to me.

I am so blessed to have grown up here and to still call this city, my home, and despite the crazy weather which we'll be telling you about from flooding, to freezing, to sweltering, and all kinds of strange critters, there is no better place to live than Houston. 

You've been part of my family here at ABC 13 for decades and family sticks together no matter what.

All of your words of warmth, kindness and concern have reminded me over and over again about our city's giant heart and they have been absolutely amazing! So, as I said, I'm so thrilled to be back home with you back in this chair back with you, Jeff and Rachel, and bringing you all the important news you expect from us here at ABC 13.

So let's get right to the news."

"Just want to say, it's great to see you back where you belong," Ehling added. 

"Oh well, thank you so much, Jeff. I love the fact that my first day is with you, buddy," Lawson replied.

"So proud to be by your side," Ehling said. 

"And Mel, it is so nice to see our Queen back on her throne here," added Briers. "We have missed you so much here on the 11. And I'm so glad to have you back."

Lawson, who had been off since last spring 2024, recently interviewed Beyoncé's mother Tina Knowles.

The legendary Channel 13 anchor had been away due to reported foot issues, and after the death of her father and pillar of the community, Reverend William A. Lawson. 

A few years ago, the longtime Live at Five anchor celebrated 40 years with KTRK.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston)

Could KPRC 2 open a coffee shop?

You may drink your coffee while watching KPRC 2 Houston with anchors such as the morning duo of Owen Conflenti and Sofia Ojeda, but one day, maybe you will be able to actually have a cup of joe with them!

Local 4 WDIV Detroit, a sister station of Graham Media Group's KPRC, is opening Fourgrounds, described by the station as "a one-of-a-kind coffee shop experience in the heart of downtown Plymouth, Michigan."

WDIV adds:

Fourgrounds is where community connection meets trusted journalism — one cup at a time. We’re building more than just a café. We’re creating a space where news and real life come together.

“At Fourgrounds, we’re bringing journalism out from behind the screen and into your daily rhythm — as familiar and approachable as your morning coffee,” said Bob Ellis, our Vice President and General Manager. “We want our reporting to be accessible, rooted in community, and part of the conversations that matter most.”

In the same way that CBS has been incorporating Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality into its stations and FOX has been adding local shows to its stations, perhaps the Graham Media Group's local coffee house idea will be introduced to the company's other stations and its own Houston NBC affiliate. Twogrounds on I-69, anyone?

WDIV will utilize Fourgrounds, a satellite location for its newsroom, and will host “Coffee with the Newsroom” events featuring our Local 4 anchors and reporters. Additionally, the TV coffee shop will serve as the studio for the station's lifestyle show, "Live in the D."

The last part hits close to home because when KPRC's lifestyle show "Houston Life" debuted in 2016, it was broadcast live from the Houston Galleria, right next to Nordstrom. So Channel 2 has experience with this type of production.

If Twogrounds actually opens one day, I will be one of the first customers, and I don't even like coffee!

CBS Texas launches Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology-driven studio

CBS Stations proudly announces the launch of its eighth state-of-the-art Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology-driven studio at CBS Texas (CBS 11 KTVT Dallas - Fort Worth), making it the first station in the region to introduce this groundbreaking technology.

CBS Texas will debut the AR/VR system on-air today, Monday, June 23, during the CBS News Texas newscast at 5:00 PM, led by first alert chief meteorologist McKenna King, who will guide viewers through the first immersive weather segment using the new platform.

The AR/VR-enabled studio, measuring approximately 20,384 cubic square feet, transforms storytelling by offering a dynamic, visually rich experience that brings weather to life. From hyper-realistic weather simulations to immersive storytelling environments, the technology enhances both presentation and viewer comprehension of complex topics.

“The launch in Texas further underscores our commitment to investing in the future of local journalism,” said Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Stations, and CBS News and Stations Digital. “Through the expansion of our technological capabilities, we continue to deepen how we serve our communities, elevate the viewer experience and shape the future of broadcast journalism.”

“Over the past year, we’ve evolved every part of our newsroom – from refreshing our newscasts, updating our brand and building a multiplatform coverage strategy,” said Raquel Amparo, president and general manager of CBS Texas. “This technology is the next chapter and allows us to enhance meaningful content for everyone we serve.”

The launch follows the successful implementation in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, the Bay Area, Denver and Miami.  

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by CBS Stations.)

Stephanie Serna on how she landed her first job

Stephanie Serna is interviewed by fellow KSAT 12 San Antonio anchor Ernie Zuniga for his "Pickup Lines" podcast.

Serna joined KSAT 12 San Antonio in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter, from reporting roles at KXAN Austin, CBS Austin KEYE, and KWTX 10 in the Waco-Temple-Killeen area.

Her career took a pivotal turn in the mid-1990s at FOX 29 KABB, where she landed a key opportunity after a mix-up involving another hire opened the door for her.

A San Antonio native, Serna graduated from John Jay High School and holds a journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dominique Sachse and Vic Mignogna celebrate one year anniversary

Dominique Sachse and her husband Vic Mignogna are celebrating a year of marriage.

You may recall that the DFW-based couple was secretly married in 2024.

They share their biggest lessons, favorite moments, and what surprised them most about married life.

'Dean and Rog' launch YouTube channel with Birthday Scams

The "Dean and Rog" Morning Show radio team has launched a YouTube channel with their Birthday Scam prank calls.

Dean Myers and Roger Beaty were let go from The Eagle 106.9/107.5 KHPT-KGLK Houston in December 2024.

The account promises new uploads every Tuesday and Friday at 7am Central.  

101 KLOL legend Outlaw Dave is now doing mornings on Houston's Eagle. Watch OD in the documentary "Runaway Radio."  Former KLOL DJ Chuck Akers also joined The Eagle.

Bob Brackeen calls it a career at KTEN Sherman

Bob Brackeen is retiring from KTEN Sherman and the TV news industry after around 30 years.

The evening anchor has covered many Texas cities over the years, including a stop in  Portland, Maine.

I want to cover Brackeen's career fully, whose bio claims he has a truck full of AP awards, but I'm trying to piece his resume together with glue and staples.

Outside of KTEN Sherman, I am pretty certain Brackeen has also worked for:

KIDY/KXVA - San Angelo / Abilene

KETK  - Tyler

KAVU 25 Victoria

But I believe the  Paris, Texas native has also worked for KLTV 7 East Texas, as well as a station in Beaumont.

Michael Courier joins KVUE Austin

Michael Courier is joining KVUE Austin from KVIA ABC-7 El Paso.

Courier is an anchor and producer for ABC 7 at Noon on KVIA and also serves as the traffic anchor for Good Morning El Paso. 

Iris García Barrón leaves Good Morning El Paso on weekends to take over for Courier. Olivia Vara will take over for Barrón on weekend mornings.

Courier joined KVIA in 2022 as a multimedia journalist.

The Colorado Media School grad gained experience in radio as a board operator at 104.3 KKFN The Fan and ESPN Radio 1600 in Denver, Colorado. 

Courier's former co-anchor Isabella Martinez recently moved from the noon newscast to work on "7 in the City."

- Ginger Zee makes Texas anchor sweat live on air

San Antonio TV anchor celebrity doppelgängers

The KSAT 12 "Good Morning San Antonio" team used AI to see which celebrity their anchors Ernie Zuniga and Japhanie Gray, plus meteorologist Justin Horne, most resemble.

If I were to go to the trouble of doing this, looking at my photo above, I guess I'd get back Max Headroom?

KHOU 11 adds new morning newscast on streaming

KHOU 11 Houston is expanding its morning show from 7 to 9 a.m. on KHOU 11+ starting June 30, 2025.

Now, KHOU will have morning news on TV from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., followed by the new digital newscast with the same anchor team on streaming.

Monday, station owner TEGNA announced an increase in newscast offerings for its group.

KHOU is now offering a morning streaming newscast just like other Houston stations, such as ABC13 KTRK and KPRC 2 have been doing for years.

As for other TEGNA Texas stations, I blogged back in April about how KVUE Austin was launching Daybreak+ with Rob Evans on KVUE+.

I looked around and did not see any newscast expansions for WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth or KENS 5 San Antonio at this point.

KHOU also posted a video about a new streaming show at 10 a.m. called "Texas News Now," which appears to feature news from across the state from TEGNA sister stations.  "Texas News Now" has been around since at least March, as it was mentioned in an article on CBS19 KYTX East Texas.