Marc Istook to leave WFAA 8 DFW

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.

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)

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Shern-Min Chow to leave KHOU 11 Houston

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."

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

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.

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

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.

Ryan Shoptaugh becomes TEGNA Multi-Market Meteorologist

TEGNA famously hubbed out its creative service departments by creating regional marketing hubs, so why not do the same with weather?

Nexstar does weather hubbing, too. For example, you might see Jim Danner filling in from DFW when stations are short-staffed.

In December 2025, KENS 5 San Antonio weekend evening meteorologist Ryan Shoptaugh announced he was becoming a TEGNA Multi-Market Meteorologist:

"Career update: I’ll be stepping into a new role within the company in January! Remaining based at KENS in San Antonio, I’ll serve as a Multi-Market Meteorologist - helping cover weather across Texas and cities throughout the South."

Shoptaugh joined the KENS 5 San Antonio weather team on November 29, 2021, from TEGNA sister station KIII Corpus Christi, where he had been since July 2018.  

He began his TV weather career at CBS 4 KGBT in the Rio Grande Valley.

The San Antonio-born meteorologist graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word and William J. Brennan High School.

Dave Ward honored by Houston Texans

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Dylan Smith leaves KRBC Abilene

Dylan Smith has left his KRBC Abilene chief meteorologist position as of December 2025.

Smith joined KRBC in December 2025 from KTAB Abilene, where he served as a morning meteorologist.

The Texas A&M University grad  grew up down by Corpus Christi in the town of Gregory-Portland

Don't confuse this Smith with Dylan Smith of WTOC, Savannah, Ga., who previously worked in Texas at KWES Midland.

Help Mike McGuff fight Alzheimer's disease by doing what you love

Twenty-one years ago today, my mom died of younger-onset Alzheimer's disease.

This year, I'm the executive chair of the Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association's Do What You Love to End ALZ campaign.

Do What You Love gives you the flexibility to do whatever it is you want to fight Alzheimer's disease.

For example, I kicked off the campaign event in October with a screening of my 101 KLOL documentary "Runaway Radio" at the legendary River Oaks Theatre, featuring Outlaw Dave and Jennifer Reyna, with host Michael Garfield.  

Here are some suggestions to help get your ideas flowing!

FUNDRAISE ONLY
> Use social media and your following to raise money.

EXERCISE
> From challenges to an outing on a scenic trail, there are plenty of ways to turn exercise into an enjoyable fundraiser!

SPORTS
> Bring friends, family, and colleagues together by organizing a tennis or golf tournament with registration fees that benefit the cause.

GAMES
> Pick your favorite game, like bridge, board games, Mah Jongg, or livestreaming, and turn it into a fundraiser.

PARTIES & EVENTS
> Organize a costume or dance party to raise funds to advance the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

ARTS
> Host a karaoke night, knit-a-thon or an art auction. There’s no limit to what you can do!

HOBBIES
> Bake cookies for your family or office in exchange for a donation, or host a fishing competition with an entry fee.

OTHER
> A graduation, holiday, or other celebration can make for a special fundraiser. Set up a fundraising page and ask friends and family to make donations in lieu of gifts.

This is not limited to individuals.  Businesses such as restaurants, all the way to entertainment venues, like escape rooms, can participate. 

Reach out to me, and we can help you with ideas and guidance on getting started.

Or you can register below and get started on your own. 

https://events.alz.org/event/dowhatyoulove/

Join me at our kickoff party to learn more about Do What You Love to End ALZ

February 11, 2026

6 to 8pm

Crisp
2220 Bevis St, Houston, TX 77008, USA

Dementia is a growing public health crisis in Texas. The impact of Alzheimer’s is projected to rise, according to recent data:

 

- 459,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in Texas.

- 1.1 million family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Texas.

- $4.3 billion is the cost of Alzheimer’s to the state Medicaid program.

Your dollars make a difference. Funding has helped fight the disease's side effects with recent advances. Although current medications cannot cure Alzheimer’s, some drugs change disease progression, with benefits to cognition and function. Other medicines may help lessen symptoms, such as memory loss and confusion, for a limited time.

Also, the Alzheimer's Association U.S. POINTER study recently found that healthy lifestyle interventions, such as diet, exercise, and cognitive engagement, have a powerful impact on brain health and can improve cognitive function, helping protect cognition from normal age-related decline.

Thanks,
Mike McGuff
Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter Alzheimer's Association board member

KSAT anchors hop on 2016 trend

Matthew Stell joins FOX Charlotte

Matthew “Matt” Stell is joining Queen City News FOX Charlotte WJZY.

Stell just left KLBK Lubbock in December after more than four and a half years, where he co-anchored the 6pm and 10pm newscasts.  He also produced “Matt Stell Reports”, a monthly segment dedicated to in-depth interviews and the unforgettable personal stories of people in our community. The station says he was Lubbock's first African American evening news anchor.

Before KLBK, Stell was a reporter and weekend anchor at KLBK’s Nexstar Media Group sister station KAMC Lubbock.

A University of Houston grad, Stell interned with the Texas House of Representatives and the Dallas County Magistrate’s Office.

Stell is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the 100 Black Men of West Texas, and the National Speech and Debate Association. He served on the Board of Directors for Communities in Schools of the South Plains and for the Panhandle Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross.