Hope Boland joined 3NEWS KIII Corpus Christi as Weekend Morning Meteorologist/Multi Skilled Journalist in the summer of 2025.
- Carly Smith promoted to KIII 3NEWS Chief Meteorologist
She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology in May 2025 and interned at KSAT 12 San Antonio.
Sinners – Ryan Coogler’s exhilarating exploration of racial tension, music, and vampires – captured top honors from the Houston Film Critics Society in its 19th Annual Awards.
In addition to being named Best Picture of 2025, the Society presented awards to Sinners’ creator Ryan Coogler for Best Director and Screenplay. Michael B. Jordan was named Best Actor for playing twin brothers, and the film was honored for the year’s best Ensemble Cast, Cinematography, Original Music Score, and Casting. The eight wins by Sinners set a new record for the Society's annual citations.
“Sinners’ landmark success should not be seen as an aberration in cinema, but instead remind us that taking creative risks allow for bold filmmaking and new visions,” said Travis Leamons, president of the organization. “As we do each year, the Houston Critics celebrate their favorites and share their enjoyment with readers and listeners alike. It just so happened we really loved horror in 2025.”
The Society selected Jesse Buckley as Best Actress as a wife and mother searching for calm in the face of tragedy in Hamnet. Honored as Best Supporting Actor was Jacob Elordi as a creature navigating an uncertain future in Frankenstein, and as Best Supporting Actress, Amy Madigan as a mysterious aunt in Weapons.
Winning the Texas Independent Film Award – for the best film made in Texas – was the documentary The Librarians, Kim A. Snyder’s non-fiction exploration of efforts to fight book banning in Texas and Florida. Sentimental Value, Joachim Trier’s tribute to family dynamics, was named Best Foreign Language Feature.
“Throughout the year, our Society members keep audiences informed about the range of films available to them in theaters and at home,” Leamons continued. “As professional journalists committed to the movie experience, we are proud to honor this year’s winners.”
2025 Houston Film Critics Society Awards
Best Picture: Sinners
Best Director: Ryan Coogler, Sinners
Best Actor – Leading Role: Michael B. Jordan, Sinners
Best Actress – Leading Role: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
Best Actor – Supporting Role: Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein
Best Actress – Supporting Role: Amy Madigan, Weapons
Best Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, Sinners
Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters
Best Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sinners
Best Documentary: The Perfect Neighbor
Best Foreign Language Feature: Sentimental Value
Best Original Score: Ludwig Goransson, Sinners
Best Original Song: “Golden”, KPop Demon Hunters
Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Stunt Coordination Team: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Best Casting: Francine Maisler, Sinners
Best Ensemble Cast: Sinners
Texas Independent Film Award: The Librarians
Five films produced in Texas competed for the prestigious Texas Independent Film Award (TIFA) when the Houston Film Critics Society (HFCS).
In 2024, Mike McGuff's documentary "Runaway Radio" won the 2024 TIFA. [WATCH HERE]
The 2025 nominees were:
• Ick: Joseph Kahn’s science fiction tale about a high school teacher who does everything possible to deal with a parasitic alien.
• The Librarians: Kim A. Snyder’s documentary focuses on efforts in Texas, Florida and other states to confront those trying to ban books from schools and libraries.
• Luv Ya Bum: This documentary from David Hartstein, Sam Wainwright Douglas, and Andrew Alden Miller profiles Bum Phillips, head coach of the Houston Oilers during the ‘Luv Ya Blue’ era.
• Selena y Los Dinos: Isabel Castro’s documentary captures what happened behind the scenes as a family supported the career of Selena Quintanilla.
• The Senior: Rod Lurie brings to the screen the story of Mike Flynt, who, at age 59, got a second chance to play college football.
“Each year, it becomes more challenging to select five nominees from the many quality films made in Texas,” says Cary Darling, HFCS member and Arts Editor for the Houston Chronicle. “We continue, in our state, to make significant contributions to what cinema can and will be.”
“For more than 10 years the Texas Independent Film Award has shone a spotlight on the creativity and drive of local filmmaking outside the studio system, celebrating artists who tell bold, personal stories rooted in culture and community,” adds Joshua Starnes, HFCS member and long-time coordinator of the TIFA selection process. “The 2025 nominees stand easily alongside the awards’ previous recipients, showcasing a range of voices working in Texas today from inventive genre filmmaking to intimate documentary. The 2025 nominees affirm Texas’ voice in modern cinema.”
To be nominated for the TIFA, a film must be shot in the Lone Star State and submitted to the Society by October 31, 2025. Members of a select HFCS committee screened the possible nominees before all voting members reviewed them and selected the winner.
“We are proud to salute these three documentaries and two narrative features as they vie to be acknowledged as the best of Texas film of 2025,” says Travis Leamons, President of the Society. “Each year, as more people around the world learn more about making movies in Texas, the opportunities for our filmmakers expand as well as the offerings for audiences.”
The 40 members of the Houston Film Critics Society are working film journalists on television, radio, online, and in traditional print. Together, they reach millions of people each week across the United States with their critiques and commentaries on film. The organization’s mission is to promote the advancement and appreciation of film in the Houston community and beyond. For a list of members, visit www.HoustonFilmCritics.com.
Dia Wall and Matt Howerton are joining WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth's Daybreak morning news starting February 23, 2026.
"I’ll be joining Daybreak as morning anchor alongside the wonderful Dia Wall," Howerton posted. "After 8 years of running around the metroplex telling the stories of so many Texans, I’m incredibly grateful (and excited) for this new chapter — and for the chance to be part of your mornings."
"The best part… swipe to see two North Texas kids, a girl from Irving & a boy from Ennis, turned student journalists who will get to share the morning news desk at the station we both grew up watching," Wall added. "Huge thanks to everyone who believed in me & Matt for this unbelievable opportunity!"
Earlier this week, we learned that Marc Istook is leaving WFAA mornings on February 20. When Wall and Howerton start, co-anchor Kara Sewell should have already started her maternity leave.
The new anchors will join the newly hired morning traffic anchor Erica Lopez.
Wall joined WFAA 8 Dallas–Fort Worth as an anchor/reporter in February 2024.
Her arrival marked a return to North Texas, where she grew up, after nearly nine years at KSHB 41 in Kansas City, Missouri.
At KSHB, Wall served in a variety of on-air leadership roles, including Evening Anchor, Weekday Anchor/Reporter, and Weekend Anchor/Reporter.
Before her time in Kansas City, Wall was the Morning News Anchor and Producer at KLTV 7 in Tyler. She also worked as a Weekend Anchor/Reporter at KXII 12 in Sherman, Texas.
Earlier in her career, Wall was a Reporter/Producer for the Dallas Cowboys, where she hosted a weekly show with team owner Jerry Jones, launched the organization’s early digital and social media presence, and co-hosted a team-focused podcast, The Lunch Break.
Wall is a graduate of Texas Christian University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism.
My Houston readers are starting to ask me where the newly hired KPRC 2 Houston evening anchor Stephania Jimenez is.
The answer is the former KSAT 12 San Antonio anchor is in Houston and experiencing her first week at KPRC, according to a Jimenez Instagram post earlier this week, although obviously off-air. She just signed off from KSAT on January 9th.
I told KPRC this afternoon that readers are asking about her debut, but I have not heard back with any details.
UPDATE: Stephania Jimenez's first day on the air on a KPRC 2 newscast will be next Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 6 p.m.
In writing this blog, I have learned that not everyone jumps in the air on the first day, as they have to go through training or whatever corporate fun awaits them when they show up.
As for my San Antonio readers, they are upset she left KSAT.
The 2026 National Weatherperson of the Year Award finalists have ties to Texas TV.
Houston TV viewers will recognize former KHOU 11 meteorologist Brooks Garner (now FOX 35 Orlando WOFL Senior Meteorologist) and KRGV 5 Rio Grande Valley's chief meteorologist Tim Smith.
The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) presents the award, which coincides with the celebration of National Weatherperson’s Day on February 5, the birthday of the pioneering weather observer John Jeffries. Jeffries’ work in the 1780’s paved the way for many aspects of meteorology today.
The other finalists for the 2026 National Weatherperson of the Year Award include:
Tanya Brown-Giammanco, PhD
Disaster and Failure Studies Director
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
National Weather Service IMet Team – Wildfire Support
IMet Team - Wildfire Support
National Weather Service
Timothy P. Marshall, PE
Forensic Engineer & Meteorologist
Haag Engineering
Voting is open until 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, January 30, 2026. The award winner will be announced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Recent UT Austin grad Madalynn Lambert has made her way on-air from behind the scenes as a reporter on KSAT 12's Good Morning San Antonio.
Here is a portion of what Lambert posted on social:
"I’m incredibly humbled to announce I’ve officially moved to GMSA as a Reporter at KSAT 12! This has been my dream, and I’m so thankful for my team at KSAT that has helped me get here.
Since post-grad, I feel like I’ve been running at 110 mph—being a sponge and constantly challenging myself as much as possible."
Lambert joined KSAT in July 2024 as a news trainee. She quickly worked her way up, earning a promotion to content gatherer in September 2024 and then to reporter in January 2026. Lambert made her first on-air appearance for “GMSA” on January 1.
Before beginning her broadcast journalism career, Lambert spent seven years with Bahama Buck’s Franchise Corporation, where she rose to regional manager overseeing locations in Austin and Universal City, Texas. In that role, Lambert managed sales, staffing, training, scheduling, and inventory, and led social media outreach efforts.
Lambert graduated from Judson High School in 2020 and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin in May 2024, with minors in global communication and science communication. During her time at UT, Lambert worked with the university’s broadcast journalism programs, including Texas Student Television and Reporting Texas. She also interned at KXAN Austin.
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.
UPDATE
Dia Wall and Matt Howerton join WFAA 8 mornings
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)
Shern-Min Chow will leave her KHOU 11 Houston anchor position on February 9, 2026.
Chow is a veteran anchor and reporter at KHOU 11 Houston, anchoring the station’s midday and 4 p.m. newscasts has also worked for KPRC 2 and ABC13 Houston.
"Shern-Min, welcome to the other side of TV," former KHOU 11 anchor Jerome Gray (now of HCTRA) told mikemcguff.com. "You should be very proud of your work and longevity in the business. Congratulations."
“Every time I think of Shern-Min, I can’t help but smile. She made the KHOU newsroom better just by being there," former KHOU 11 news director Sally Ramirez (now senior vice president of news for NBCU Local Chicago) told mikemcguff.com. "She brought heart, curiosity, and quiet confidence to her work every day. I have nothing but admiration for Shern-Min, and I’ll never forget the kindness she showed me during my time in Houston. I wish her all the very best in a well-deserved retirement!”
“I had the pleasure of working with Shern-Min during my tenure at KHOU11 (2018-2024)," former KHOU 11 general manager Robert Springer (now president & GM of Colorado Public Television) told mikemcguff.com. "I have often described Shern-Min Chow as an icon. Someone who, through consistent hard work, commitment, and integrity, has earned a place of trust and authority in the hearts and minds of Houstonians. Her devotion to the Gulf Coast community is something of a rarity in this business; she was never a 'tourist' looking to grow her career in a large market and then move on, but rather a passionate and versatile professional with a deep sense of purpose to inform the community and ultimately to empower her fellow Houstonians. I kept a short list of colleagues who I knew could get anyone on the phone at any time, and Shern-Min shared space on that list with other icons: Len Cannon, Mia Gradney, Ron Treviño, and Deborah Duncan. It’s a notable distinction, and one that can only be earned by doing the work and doing it well. While her retirement is a loss for the journalism community, I hope the road ahead brings her much happiness and that her career can serve as an example for others in the industry.”
"Shern-Min Chow is a Houston TV legend. Period," former KHOU 11 anchor Brandi Smith (now Rice University and Houston Moms) told mikemcguff.com. "Working alongside her for seven of her many years at KHOU 11 offered me a front-row seat to something rare in local television: true adaptability. At a time when many veteran reporters struggled with the industry’s rapid shifts, Shern-Min leaned in. When the job demanded new skills, she learned them (from shooting video on an iPad to embracing the role of a multimedia journalist) with resolve. Watching her meet those challenges was quietly inspiring and a firm reminder that experience is not a finish line; it's a foundation. Her willingness to evolve underscored a career defined not just by longevity, but by relevance and it set an example that growth and excellence can continue at every stage."
The legendary Houston anchor released the news in a social media video (WATCH BELOW):
"After nearly 30 years at KHOU, my last day at channel 11 will be on February the 9th.
There have been some other projects that I wanted to do but can't. While a full-time employee here, I'll have more on that later.
But right now I just want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for tuning in all of these years. When I started, it was just on TV. Now it's on social media. It's digital and online. It has been a privilege to meet many of you in person. Many of you online, and to share your stories. I hope you'll keep in touch here on the Insta face. I really love hearing from you all and social media is a great way to do that. Right now though, I just want to take a second to say thank you.
Reporting has been truly a great joy of my life, and I want to say thank you to you for allowing me the chance to do that. So for now, ciao. And as always, stay tuned."
Chow joined KHOU in July 1996 as a weekend anchor from KPRC.
The Yale University graduate also worked for KENS 5 in San Antonio and began as a stringer for Newsweek.
When she began her television news career, Chow was the only Asian American broadcaster in San Antonio and later in Houston. She says she is encouraged by how much the industry has evolved since then.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, she has reported from the center of some of the nation’s most significant events — standing in the eye of hurricanes Andrew, Harvey, and Katrina, covering the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes, enduring Winter Storm Uri, and reporting on historic floods, fires, and wildfires. Her work has taken her inside Mexican prisons, into the O.J. Simpson media compound, and into neighborhoods impacted by violent crime — often arriving unannounced and leaving with compelling, impactful stories.
Her notable coverage includes the Robert Durst trial, the Andrea Yates murders, Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets in China, election-night victories for presidential and gubernatorial races, and the James Beard Chefs’ Roundtable series. Chow has interviewed presidents, cabinet secretaries, scientists, celebrities, criminals, and serial killers. Her energy and engagement are especially evident during major sports moments, including the Astros’ playoff runs, World Series championships, and victory parades from 2017 to 2023.
Chow’s work has been recognized with numerous honors, including a Houston Press Club Award for Best Series, a Texas Associated Press Award for Best Spot Newscast-Producer, and an Emmy Award for the documentary Hong Kong Under the Dragon. The project was a career highlight, in part because her father, Ken Chow, an engineer, joined the production as a field producer and translator.
Chow speaks conversational Mandarin and Shanghainese and has studied Spanish, French, and German. She routinely uses Spanish in the field.
Deeply committed to the Houston community, Chow has made hundreds of community appearances and currently serves on the advisory boards of the Asia Society and the Chinese Community Center. She has previously served on the boards of SpringSpirit Baseball, the Bo & Stacey Porter Self Foundation, the YWCA, Houston Ballet, and The Bayou City Medical Center.
Chow grew up in Northern California with her brother, the children of Chinese immigrants. Her mother, Helen Chow, went from stay-at-home parent to entrepreneur, founding her own real estate company and earning recognition as an “Influential Woman.”
Shern-Min Chow is married to her college sweetheart, and they are the proud parents of two sons, graduates of Rice University and MIT.
SAME DAY AT DFW TEGNA SISTER STATION
Marc Istook to leave WFAA 8 DFW
SAME DAY AT KHOU
News director Kathryn Bonfield has left KHOU 11 Houston
News director Kathryn Bonfield has left KHOU 11 Houston as of this morning, multiple sources tell mikemcguff.com.
Assistant News Director Wiley Post will now be in charge of the news department's day-to-day operations until a new news director is hired, according to a memo obtained by mikemcguff.com that was sent to the staff from Raquel Amparo, the Vice President of Content, Texas Region for TEGNA.
Bonfield was named Channel 11 news director in December 2024, succeeding Liz Roldán, who departed KHOU in October 2024.
She joined KHOU after a 13-year run as news director at Graham Media Group–owned News4JAX WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida (Graham Media Group also owns KHOU competitor KPRC 2).
During her tenure at WJXT, Bonfield reshaped the station’s news operation, expanding local news coverage to nearly 60 hours per week across TV and streaming platforms. She also launched an investigative team and created a Senior Data Producer role to strengthen investigative journalism. In partnership with Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute, she organized election debates and town halls.
Before joining WJXT, Bonfield served nearly 4 years as assistant news director at WFLA 8 in Tampa and, prior to that, spent 3 years as news director at WCBD in Charleston, South Carolina.
According to LinkedIn, Bonfield began her career at WFLA in 1992 as a news producer. Over the next 12 years, she worked her way up to executive producer and eventually assistant news director.
At the time of her hiring, KHOU noted that Bonfield is a champion of equity and inclusion, implementing strategies that strengthened newsroom culture and ensured diverse storytelling that reflects the entire community.
A lifelong learner, Bonfield is pursuing a doctoral degree in Organizational Change and Leadership at USC. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and earned her master’s degree from the University of North Florida.
SAME DAY AT TEGNA TEXAS STATIONS
- Shern-Min Chow to leave KHOU 11 Houston
- Marc Istook to leave WFAA 8 DFW
Jorge Almaraz joins Telemundo 39 Dallas-Fort Worth KXTX as a 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. co-anchor.
Almaraz takes over for Enrique Teutelo, who left in the summer of 2025.
With more than three decades of experience in television and radio journalism, Almaraz joins Telemundo 39 from Telemundo 40 Rio Grande Valley in McAllen, Texas, where he served as the main anchor since 2020.
“Jorge is an exceptional journalist whose experience and passion for storytelling will further our commitment to delivering high-quality news to our audience and serving our communities,” said Rossyris Silva, Vice President of News at Telemundo 39 Dallas. “We are thrilled to welcome him to our already talented and dedicated newsroom team.”
Previously, Alvarez held key roles for multiple Televisa stations in Mexico, including director of newscasts, national correspondent, and lead anchor. His background spans news production, reporting, and anchoring across major markets such as León, Monterrey, and Ciudad Juárez.
A native of Mexico City, Almaraz holds a degree in communication sciences from Universidad La Salle in León, Guanajuato. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including multiple Lone Star Regional Emmy Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and Telly Awards.
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Telemundo 39 Dallas / KXTX, parte de Telemundo Station Group de NBCU Local, anunció que el galardonado periodista Jorge Almaraz se ha unido a su equipo de presentadores. Almaraz será co-presentador de Noticiero Telemundo 39 de lunes a viernes a las 5 p.m. y a las 10 p.m.
Almaraz, quien cuenta con más de tres décadas de experiencia en periodismo televisivo y radiofónico, llega a Telemundo 39 desde Telemundo 40 Rio Grande Valley en McAllen, Texas, donde se desempeñó como presentador principal desde 2020.
“Jorge es un periodista excepcional cuya experiencia y pasión por contar historias fortalecerán nuestro compromiso de ofrecer noticias de alta calidad a nuestra audiencia y de servir a nuestras comunidades”, dijo Rossyris Silva, vicepresidenta de noticias para Telemundo 39 Dallas. “Estamos encantados de darle la bienvenida a nuestro talentoso y dedicado equipo de redacción.”
Anteriormente, Almaraz ocupó cargos clave en varias estaciones de Televisa en México, entre ellos director de noticieros, corresponsal nacional y presentador principal. Su trayectoria abarca producción de noticias, reportajes y conducción en importantes mercados televisivos como León, Monterrey y Ciudad Juárez.
Originario de Ciudad de México, Almaraz cuenta con una licenciatura en Ciencias de la Comunicación por la Universidad La Salle en León, Guanajuato. Su trabajo le ha valido numerosos reconocimientos, incluidos múltiples premios Lone Star Regional Emmy, un premio Edward R. Murrow y premios Telly.
