"KRIV and Barajas mutually agreed to part ways"

A KRIV FOX 26 spokesperson confirmed to me after my initial post about Mike Barajas being removed from the station's website that, "KRIV and (anchor Mike) Barajas mutually agreed to part ways.”

It was back on January 16th, that I blogged how Fox 26 KRIV employees told me anchor Mike Barajas was gone. A few days later FOX TV told me he was listed as on vacation. Then the Houston Chronicle's Ken Hoffman found out Barajas was not scheduled to anchor a newscast.

I think anyone who knew something about the TV business could read between the lines on what was really happening.

According to Barajas' online bio, he was with FOX 26 since 1986. He started out as the weekend anchor and was later promoted to anchoring the midday newscast. In 1992, he was promoted to the main newscast FOX 26 News at 9. Before KRIV, Barajas was a reporter for KPRC.

And as I have written before, KTRK 13 anchor Erik Barajas is Mike's nephew. Once again, Houston will only know what it is like to have one Barajas on TV news.

I reached out to Mr. Barajas through an intermediary. Have not heard back from him.

RELATED
- Mike Barajas leaves Fox 26 KRIV?
- FOX: KRIV 26 anchor Mike Barajas is on vacation
- Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas "not scheduled" for newscasts

Mike Barajas leaves Fox 26 KRIV?

UPDATE 2/9
Anchor Mike Barajas off Fox 26 KRIV website

UPDATE 1/18/2011
FOX: KRIV 26 anchor Mike Barajas is on vacation

The emails started coming in after midnight Saturday morning and went into the night. Sorry I am only posting this now, but I was busy watching my son and reporting on Texas gun owner fears after the Arizona shooting.

I am told by multiple sources connected with Fox 26 KRIV that main anchor Mike Barajas is no longer with the station. His last show was the Friday 9pm newscast. There was supposedly no mention about his departure on TV. Barajas announced his departure after the show to a surprised staff.

According to Barajas' online bio, he's been with FOX since 1986. He started out as the weekend anchor and was later promoted to anchoring the midday newscast. In 1992, he was promoted to the main newscast FOX 26 News at 9. Before KRIV, Barajas was a reporter for KPRC.

And as I have written before, KTRK 13 anchor Erik Barajas is Mike's nephew. Once again, Houston will only know what it is like to have one Barajas on TV news.

I have been told various reasons as to why he is leaving, including news about other possible talent departures coming up. Will try to sort it out with the Fox Broadcasting Monday. Stay tuned.

(Thanks to all that sent me this info and even complained I did not have it up Saturday...I know you care!)

UPDATE 1/18/2011
FOX: KRIV 26 anchor Mike Barajas is on vacation

RELATED
- TV anchors named Barajas taking over Houston and Texas
- What Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas drives

Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas "not scheduled" for newscasts

UPDATE 2/9
Anchor Mike Barajas off Fox 26 KRIV website

The 'Where is Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas Game' is still being played. You might remember how I originally posted that he was possibly out of the picture, then FOX told me he was on vacation and now the Houston Chronicle's Ken Hoffman continues the game in his latest column's mailbag segment:

What has happened to Mike Barajas on Channel 26? Will he be back?
- Jesse Foroi Jr., Houston

I called Channel 26 and asked, "Is Mike Barajas still with Channel 26?" The answer was, "He is not currently scheduled to be on the newscast." I asked, "What does that mean?" The spokesman said, "I was not told how to interpret that, just what to say when someone asks that question." I will interpret then, but this is merely a guess based on nothing. I think it means Barajas is still on the payroll until some agreement can be worked out. Or he is on personal leave. Who knows? His bio is still on the Channel 26 website, so he's technically still an employee. READ MORE

Glad Hoffman is on the case, I played phone tag with FOX last week.

RELATED
- FOX: KRIV 26 anchor Mike Barajas is on vacation
- Mike Barajas leaves Fox 26 KRIV?

Bill Barajas joins KPRC 2

Bill Barajas, KSAT 12 San Antonio anchor/reporter, joins KPRC and now I need to draw up a family tree!

KSAT 12 San Antonio's Bill Barajas is joining Houston sister-station KPRC the anchor/reporter posted on Facebook. From what I hear he will be a reporter at KPRC.

"In what might be the worst kept secret I’m happy to announce that after almost 9 years I’m going HOME," Barajas wrote over the weekend. "I have accepted a job a KPRC Channel 2 in Houston. I have one week left at KSAT and while I’m beyond excited to start the new gig I will forever love SA and the friends/co-workers that have become like a family to me."

Now, you might say Barajas...that name sounds familiar to me. There is a reason for that.

You can go read my 2010 post TV anchors named Barajas taking over Houston and Texas to get the full picture. I even wrote, "It's a Barajas TV news world in Houston - you and I just happen to watch it." Then in my more fun loving days, I listed six things that Barajas anchors could do if they worked at every Houston TV station. Go ahead and read it. I'll wait here for you to finish and then we can continue together.

I've been covering Bill Barajas since he was a reporter for KRGV 5 in the Rio Grande Valley. The reason...he is the son of former FOX 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas.

"Bill is a graduate of the University of Houston just like his old man and he is following in the broadcasting footsteps," Mike Barajas told mikemcguff.com back in 2013 when Bill Barajas started at KSAT 12.

You may also know his cousin, Erik Barajas, who anchors for abc13 KTRK.

"Erik worked at KSAT before moving up to KTRK," Bill Barajas told mikemcguff.com in 2013. "He always talked about the first rate station that they run there."

In reality, the Barajas clan is now playing catch up in the Houston television news family dynasty world.

While Erik and Bill are now working for KTRK and KPRC respectively, both of those stations also employ Rascons!

Yes, longtime abc13 KTRK anchor Art Rascon's son, Jacob, joined KPRC from NBC News just a few years ago.

Maybe John Paul Barajas, Mike's other son, can go work at KHOU one day just so the family can claim another station in its dynasty! John Paul has been with KRGV 5 since 2017.



(Thanks Taylor!)

TV anchors named Barajas taking over Houston and Texas

It's a Barajas TV news world in Houston - you and I just happen to watch it. Fox 26 KRIV and KTRK 13 have helped launch what Isiah Carey AKA The Insite is calling a Barajas media dynasty.
Longtime Houston television news viewers will know Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas. Many will also know his nephew, Erik Barajas, an anchor at KTRK 13.

But that is just the beginning blogs The Insite.

Mike's son, Bill Barajas, who interned at KTRK 13 when I was there, is now a reporter at KRGV 5 in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It doesn't stop there. Supposedly Mike's other son, John Paul, is interested in the TV news business when he graduates. (UPDATE 8/7/2013 - Bill Barajas joins KSAT from KRGV)

TV dynasties are nothing new. Go to the Oklahoma City TV market and you'll find the Ogle brothers working for various television stations. But there are only three Ogles. Sounds like the Barajas family could overtake their numbers in Houston one day.

Imagine Barajas anchors on every TV station:
- They could all perform a comedy/dance routine at the Houston Press Club's Gridiron Show.
- Pose for a Barajas TV news guy calendar
- Team Barajas: Crush other anchor teams in organized sporting events
- Send coded family messages to each other through their news scripts and on camera facial expressions
- Buy a Houston TV station, change the call letters to KBAR and have a Barajas anchor on every day part
- Use their media positions to overthrow city government and install other Barajas family members

This list could go on forever.

RELATED
What Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas drives

Bill Barajas joins KSAT from KRGV

Bill Barajas is heading to his cousin Erik's old station KSAT

Bill Barajas

News 92's Mike Barajas let me know his son, Bill, is moving up to a higher TV market.

For the last three years, the younger Barajas has been working as a reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley. But starting Monday, August 12th, Bill moves up to KSAT, San Antonio's top rated station.

"KRGV was my first job and an experience I'll never forget," Bill Barajas told mikemcguff.com. "I covered everything from cartels to human and drug stash houses. My move to KSAT was made possible with the experience and hard work I put in there and the guidance of my father and cousin Erik.

"Erik worked at KSAT before moving up to KTRK. He always talked about the first rate station that they run there and I couldn't be more excited."

Naturally Bill's dad, Mike, is very excited.

"Bill is a graduate of the University of Houston just like his old man and he is following in the broadcasting footsteps," the elder Barajas told mikemcguff.com. "After completing his 3-year stint in South Texas he is moving to the number one station in San Antonio."

According to his bio, Bill interned at four different stations in Houston - Fox 26 KRIV, abc13 KTRK, Telemundo, and KIAH CW39. I personally remember seeing him intern when I was at KTRK.

I've said it before, long live the Barajas TV dynasty!  And you would have known about this move weeks ago if you had followed me on Facebook.  I posted it there first!

RELATED
- News 92FM's Mike Barajas & Bonnie Petrie honored by Texas AP
- Mike Barajas drops the microphone for baton

Bill Barajas promoted to KPRC weekend anchor

Bill Barajas just announced he has been promoted to KPRC 2 Houston weekend anchor.

UPDATE
Syan Rhodes to leave KPRC 2

Here is what Barajas posted to Facebook:

"Big news! Happy to announce that I’ve been promoted and given a wonderful opportunity as a weekend evening anchor at KPRC.

I’ve been back in Houston for almost 4 years now and It’s a dream come true to anchor in my hometown.

Make sure to check us out Saturday’s at 6pm and 10pm and Sundays at 5pm and 10pm."

Barajas takes over the spot left by Jonathan Martinez who was hired to be evening anchor for News 4 San Antonio WOAI in 2021.

RELATED
- Cathy Hernandez and Brittany Jeffers new KPRC 2 weekend morning anchors

Barajas joined KPRC 2 from Graham Media Group sister-station KSAT 12 San Antonio in 2019. 

As I have written many times, the Barajas name is a big one in Texas TV.  

"Bill is a graduate of the University of Houston just like his old man and he is following in the broadcasting footsteps," former FOX 26 KRIV evening anchor Mike Barajas told mikemcguff.com back in 2013 when Bill Barajas started at KSAT 12.

Mike Barajas' former co-anchor, now FOX 26 KRIV morning anchor Melissa Wilson, commented on my Facebook post that Mike was very excited about Bill's weekend anchor promotion and is "having a blast being a granddad."  Bill added in the comments that his dad has been enjoying retirement. 

Then there is his cousin, Erik Barajas, who is an abc13 KTRK evening anchor.

Bill's brother, John Paul Barajas, now works for KSAT San Antonio.

Both of the Barajas brothers previously worked for KRGV 5 Rio Grande Valley.

I've said it before, Isiah Carey called the Barajas media dynasty back in 2010.

Mike Barajas drops the microphone for baton

News92 KROI's anchor a conductor?

Mike Barajas

Got a reader tip that News92 KROI anchor Mike Barajas was a special guest conductor at the Houston Symphony Orchestra's performance of the Music of the Rolling Stones last weekend.

Shortly before the intermission, Barajas led the combo through a spirited rendition of Jumpin' Jack Flash.

"I am not really sure he was actually conducting, but he channeled his inner rock star," the tipster told me. "He definitely stole the show."

Maybe next we will see his nephew, abc13 KTRK anchor Erik Barajas, guest with the Houston Ballet. Now that would be a gas, gas, gas like Mick says.

You never know where the Barajas anchor family will show up, but one thing for sure, they will probably be broadcasting something to you.

UPDATE
Photos of Barajas in action

FOX: KRIV 26 anchor Mike Barajas is on vacation

UPDATE 2/9
Anchor Mike Barajas off Fox 26 KRIV website

Many people connected with Fox 26 KRIV have contacted me to say that main anchor Mike Barajas is no longer with the station.

But hold your horses.

A FOX TV spokesperson tells me that Barajas is just on vacation. That's it. That's why you are not seeing him on the air.

Also, the spokesperson addressed other Fox 26 talent rumor departures. I was told these rumors are untrue. As a result, I will not even bring up the name I was told.

RELATED
Mike Barajas leaves Fox 26 KRIV?

Fox 26 KRIV getting high profile candidates for former Barajas anchor gig

Just because Fox 26 KRIV has the only 9pm newscast in Houston with anchors (KIAH 39 famously dropped all talent for anchorless NewsFix), doesn't mean the Fox owned and operated station is skimping on experience when it concerns former anchor Mike Barajas' replacement.

Sources inside Fox 26 tell me two high profile anchor candidates have been to the station in the last weeks vying for the open main anchor gig. One name I heard is a big 3 network correspondent. The other is a big market anchor for a station on the East Coast with national experience too.

“We have no announcements to make at this time,” a KRIV spokesperson told me when I asked about the candidates.

The former Mike Barajas seat wasn't cold yet and even I received an email from a reporter at a top station in Los Angeles asking me about the position. Guess the big boys use their reporter skills and leave no stone unturned when applying for a position. That shows a lot of wisdom. Clearly the KRIV main anchor gig is a hot property.

So it appears KRIV is not just looking at up and coming middle market stars...although that could be in the cards for all we know too (I put this part in the post because I don't want to look too foolish in case the station hires a 24 year old from Boise, Idaho as the main anchor :)   ).

RELATED
- "KRIV and Barajas mutually agreed to part ways"
- Mike Barajas' old job posted by Fox 26 KRIV
- TV anchors named Barajas taking over Houston and Texas

Two Barajas reporters at channel 2?

You are not hallucinating. There are two reporters named Barajas on KPRC 2 Houston at the moment.

The Channel 2 audience knows the recently engaged weekend anchor Bill Barajas, who has been here since 2019.  

But now, you also see his brother, John Paul Barajas, on Houston TV. He's here in Houston helping out after Hurricane Beryl from Graham Media Group's sister station KSAT 12 San Antonio, where Bill previously worked.

And guess who their father is?  That's right, former FOX 26 KRIV evening anchor Mike Barajas.

"Bill is a graduate of the University of Houston just like his old man and he is following in the broadcasting footsteps," Mike Barajas told mikemcguff.com back in 2013 when Bill Barajas started at KSAT 12.

And then some of you are yelling at me through the screen about ABC13 KTRK Houston anchor Erik Barajas.  Yes, Erik is Bill's and John Paul's cousin.

Isiah Carey called it in 2010. It's the Barajas Media Dynasty.

You can watch John Paul's reporting for KPRC 2 below.

John Paul Barajas named KSAT 12 weekend anchor

John Paul Barajas announced this evening that he has been promoted to KSAT 12 San Antonio weekend evening anchor from his reporting role.

"I’m honored to be stepping into the role of Weekend Evening Anchor," Barajas posted. "It’s a position that has been held by so many amazing journalists and KSAT greats. I'm excited about this next chapter and added responsibility which truly is a privilege. See you tomorrow at 5 and 10!"

Barajas fills the void left by Courtney Friedman, who was just promoted to weekday anchoring.

That means he and his brother, Bill Barajas, will anchor simultaneously in Texas, and only a few hours down I-10 from each other! Bill is the weekend anchor for Graham Media Group's sister station, KPRC 2 Houston, and he previously worked for KSAT. 

We've been talking about the Barajas television dynasty for years. So, to catch you up, Jon Paul and Bill are the sons of former FOX 26 KRIV evening anchor Mike Barajas. They are the cousins of ABC13 KTRK Houston evening anchor Erik Barajas.

John Paul Barajas joined KSAT 12 in June 2021 from KRGV 5 in the Rio Grande Valley, where he was an anchor and general assignment reporter.

Barajas got his start in television journalism through internships at KTRK and KSAT.

A Jack J. Valenti School of Communication graduate at the University of Houston, Barajas is known to wear red ties on Fridays in honor of the Cougar Red Friday tradition.  You might have seen him on this very blog cheering on the Coogs ahead of the NCAA Championship in San Antonio. 

Also, announced today is the departure of the KSAT 12 news director.

News 92FM's Mike Barajas & Bonnie Petrie honored by Texas AP

News 92FM KROI Anchors Voted Best in State by Texas Associated Press Broadcasters

News 92FM afternoon anchors Mike Barajas and Bonnie Petrie win the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award for Best Radio Anchor Team in the state.

Both are award winning veteran journalists who helped launch Houston’s only All News Radio Station a little more than a year ago in November 2011. News 92FM has the largest radio news staff in the state of Texas and broadcasts from a new state-of-the-art facility.

Prior to News 92FM, Mike was the FOX-26 evening anchor for 18 years, where he won several prestigious television news awards. Mike grew up in Houston and started his broadcast career in the 1970s at local radio stations. He is a University of Houston Graduate.

Bonnie has more than 20 years of news experience and has won multiple radio awards throughout her career. Before News 92FM she anchored at KRLD Radio in Dallas. This is the second time the New York native has made Houston her home; she anchored for seven years at KTRH Radio. Bonnie graduated from the State University of New York.

RELATED
- Texas AP TV winners 2013
- News 92 FM KROI expands and rises
- News 92 KROI hires new leader

(This post is from a News 92FM release sent to me)

Can you imagine Houston TV after Dave Ward?

Dave Ward wants to hit 50 years with KTRK abc13 - but what happens to us after that?

UPDATE NOVEMBER 10, 2014
Dave Ward to step down from KTRK ABC13's 10pm news
Dave Ward to start 2015 with reduced workload

Bob Allen, Laura Ward, Dave Ward

While I was on my blogging break, David Barron wrote about Dave Ward's latest contract extension. Ward's goal is to stay on KTRK abc13 for 50 years.

Then it hit me...we will one day have Houston TV without Dave Ward (I guess we had David Ward for a spell, but that's a different story).

As I said on the radio a few weeks ago, on the day I was born, The Houston Chronicle listed Ward, Ed Brandon and Bob Allen as the talent on that day's Live at 5 in the TV section.

From hurricanes to wars, Ward has been there giving us the details for decades. Others like me only know life with Dave Ward on TV! Seriously, he's probably been more consistently in the lives of Houstonians than family members.

Just on this blog alone, I've watched Ward hit the 40 year milestone, 45 year milestone to last year just announcing, "They’ll probably carry me out of [KTRK abc13] feet first."

All good things must come to an end though (unless Ward can become virtual like Max Headroom).

So that leads us to who will take over Ward's main anchor chair at Houston's top rated station KTRK?

Will it be?
A) Tom Koch
B) Art Rascon
C) Tom Abrahams
D) Erik Barajas
E) Another internal candidate
F) Someone from the outside

If I were a betting man, I'd pick D. Why? You never bet against the Barajas TV Dynasty. It is their destiny!

If this prognostication becomes true, I will link back to this post over and over again forcing you to call me by the snazzy name "The Newstradamus of H-Town." If it doesn't happen, you'll never see a link to this post again.  This is preparing me for a life as a political pundit one day.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 10, 2014
Dave Ward to step down from KTRK ABC13's 10pm news
Dave Ward to start 2015 with reduced workload

RELATED
- VIDEO: KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward's movie performance
- Original KTRK news team reunites: Ward, Lovett & Dungan
- Ward and other Houston radio DJs of the 1960s talk about era
- News 92FM's Mike Barajas & Bonnie Petrie honored by Texas AP
- Mike Barajas drops the microphone for baton
- Bill Barajas joins KSAT from KRGV
- Gina Gaston supports the kids

John Paul Barajas joins KSAT

John Paul Barajas is leaving KRGV 5 Rio Grande Valley as an anchor/reporter to be a general assignments reporter for KSAT 12 San Antonio starting June 26th mikemcguff.com can confirm.

Television viewers in both San Antonio and Houston will recognize the famous Barajas TV news name.  

John Paul is the son of former Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas.  He is also the younger brother of current KPRC reporter (and former KSAT 12/KRGV reporter) Bill Barajas. 

He is also the cousin of abc13 KTRK anchor Erik Barajas.

"Erik worked at KSAT before moving up to KTRK," Bill Barajas told mikemcguff.com in 2013. "He always talked about the first rate station that they run there."

John Paul has been with KRGV since 2017.

He is a graduate of the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication at the University of Houston.  

According to his bio, Barajas wears red ties on most Fridays in honor of the Cougar Red Friday’s tradition.  

While in school he participated in UH's Coog TV.  He also interned in Houston at abc13 KTRK, FOX 26 KRIV and in San Antonio at KSAT 12.

So after KSAT, any guesses on which Houston TV station John Paul will join in the future?  I joked in the past, it has to be KHOU 11, so the Barajas television dynasty can add another station to their list! 

Houston and TX TV & radio job moves while I was away...there are lots of them

A roundup of Houston and Texas TV moves and departures since I went on vacation in early July...lot's of action around the state.

Chris McDonald starts at KHOU 11 this week as an assignments editor he confirmed to me. Fox 26 KRIV, McDonald's previous employer where he worked as the assignments desk manager, posted on Facebook in late June that McDonald was taking a news director position in Victoria, TX.

Got word that News92FM reporter Pattie Shieh is leaving KROI and moving on to LyondellBasell.

Larry Giele has joined CBS 11 (KTVT-TV) and TXA 21 (KTXA-TV) as controller. Giele comes to the stations from WKYC in Cleveland, where he held the same position.

Bob French has been Chief Meteorologist and weeknight weather anchor at KBTX since 1990. That appears to be no more. Right before I left on vacation I got a tip he was gone and now his KBTX social media accounts and bio page have been erased. The station reported in May that French was on extended leave to attend to family matters.

Gary Striewski leaves KPRC for NESN
Gary Striewski put a year in at KPRC 2 and jets off to New England's NESN.

Jeff McShan leaves KHOU for Harris County District Attorney's Office PIO gig
Jeff McShan gives up KHOU for the Harris County District Attorney's Office PIO position.

Mary Lee to leave KPRC 2 for California
Mary Lee leaves KPRC 2 after arriving at the station in 2010.

Garry Seith no longer in CBS11's weather picture
Veteran meteorologist Garry Seith, who has been working the weekday early morning shift at CBS11, is “no longer with the station."

Scott Padgett joing CBS11 as new early morn meteorologist
CBS11 has named Scott Padgett of Miami’s WPLG-TV as its new weekday morning meteorologist.

Tragedy: Jon Dillon is no longer on 92.5 KZPS-FM
Jon Dillon’s career in Dallas radio dates back to 1969, when he was, for a while, the sole voice of KFAD-FM, which briefly poked its head out of the rock-and-roll underground from 94.9 on your FM dial.
- Jon Dillon, the voice of classic rock in Dallas when it was still ‘underground,’ is out at KZPS

The Mack Show on 700 KSEV
Mack has taken “leave” from the afternoon show on KSEV.

Traffic reporter at KENS moving on
KENS-TV traffic reporter Natalie Tejeda will be busy making her own travel plans soon.

Mike Barajas' son moves to KSAT
If you followed my Facebook page, last week you would have seen that Bill Barajas, is moving up to a higher TV market his dad, Mike Barajas told me. Currently the younger Barajas is at KRGV in the Rio Grande. But starting next month, Bill moves up to KSAT

Labbe Named WOAI News Director
Blaise Labbe, KCTV Kansas City news director, has been named director of news for Sinclair's WOAI-KABB San Antonio.

KVUE Defenders add Austin American-Statesman’s Tony Plohetski
KVUE’s long-standing and award winning investigative unit, The Defenders, grows even stronger by adding Austin American-Statesman investigative journalist Tony Plohetski to the team.

Weekend anchor Jenni Lee departs Fox 7
KTBC and Jenni Lee, the station’s weekend news anchor, have parted ways.

Paul Cicala leaving KVIA
Channel 7-KVIA sports director Paul Cicala is leaving and returning to his hometown of Tucson.

El Paso’s KVIA Adds Reporter
Collin Carroll will join El Paso ABC affiliate KVIA as a multimedia journalist.

Looking for TX TV jobs?

A TV Barajas makes "The Rock" laugh in San Antonio

It wasn't Mike Barajas, Erik Barajas or Bill Barajas, but KSAT 12 reporter John Paul Barajas who made Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson laugh in San Antonio last weekend during the XFL Brahmas’ season opener.

Let me point out I've been covering the Barajas media dynasty since 2010 when Isiah Carey coined the term!

Barajas explains below. 

The Pebble! 🪨
I remember this moment the other night. Fun stuff brother. Thanks for the laugh. Rocky Maivia baby! 😊👊🏾#XFL #HowBoutDemBrahmas 🤘🏾@XFLBrahmas https://t.co/XdDyN3xnrf

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 22, 2023

 

What Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas drives

Isiah Carey aka "The Insite" always "ambushes" his coworkers in the Fox 26 KRIV Houston parking lot to see what they drive. Then he posts it on his blog. I like the segment. This would not have been allowed at my old station.

In the latest entry he catches up with main anchor Mike Barajas who drives a 2010 Chevy Camaro. Next Isiah needs to photograph Erik Barajas' ride.

(Image courtesy of UH)

Mike Barajas' old job posted by Fox 26 KRIV

I believe it was just posted this week because that's when I started getting inquiries about it. Here is former KRIV Fox 26 anchor Mike Barajas' job:

Anchor/Reporter -- Full Time -- Regular
Anchor 5P and 9P newscasts M-F and also develop/produce field and series pieces for various newscasts, web, and social media outlets. Will maintain daily blog, represent station in community activities, and mentor less experienced reporters, producers, and anchors. Will participate in editorial process and foster proper newsroom etiquette and philosophy. Requires degree in Journalism or related field and 5 years experience as broadcast television anchor. Must be computer literate and proficient with multi-media formats. Need to have excellent communication skills and demonstrate positive attitude, leadership skills and good news judgment.

Below the anchor job post is another one that caught my eye:

Photographer -- Full Time -- Regular
Shoot on Panasonic P2 and non-linear edit. Operate camera, lights, wireless mics, portable/permanent editing gear, Avstar newsroom software, cell phone, and 2-way. Safely operate microwave live truck while following company and industry safety standards. Must willingly accept direction from Assignment Desk. Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or related field preferred. Three years paid broadcast news experience as a photographer/photojournalist required.

First of all, while I was working for KIAH 39 and we'd run into Fox 26 field crews, I don't think they were shooting on a Panasonic P2 camera. This must be new.

But forget about the technical stuff, my favorite line is "Must willingly accept direction from Assignment Desk." How many newsrooms have you seen the assignments desk editors and field crews butt heads? Oh right...all of them!

News Director Denise Bishop exits News 92 FM KROI

News Director Denise Bishop, who helped sign on News 92 FM KROI, is gone

Multiple sources have told me that News92 FM KROI news director, Denise Bishop, was let go from the station and the position has been eliminated. I hear staffers found out this morning and are stunned.

"I really appreciated and enjoyed the opportunity to help launch the Houston area's only all news radio station," Bishop told mikemcguff.com. "It was a pleasure to work with such a terrific staff of experienced journalists. I wish them and the station much success."

"I'm beyond stunned," one staffer who did not want to be named told mikemcguff.com. "I'm heartbroken. She's a fine woman and a pro."

Bishop, a known media player in Houston, helped sign News 92 on the air in 2011. In the journalism world, she was notably the news director of Fox 26 KRIV from July 1985 to October 2001. In that time, she was instrumental in building the station from its very early days to the way we know it today. Post-Fox, Bishop was the senior director of communications for the Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross for seven years.

According to LinkedIn, Bishop joined KROI in October 2011. She helped launch the station by hiring the staff (many former Fox 26 employees) and supervising the operation.

Radio One would not comment on Bishop's departure or if a replacement will come.

News 92FM launched in a tough time for a new radio station to break through in the Houston market. In the last four Houston-Galveston ratings books, the all news station received either an 0.5 or 0.6 rating (total persons 6+, Mon-Sun, 6am-midnight). KROI owner Radio One otherwise dominates the Arbitron ratings with 97.9 The Box KBXX and Magic 102 KMJQ coming in the top and second spot.

Sources tell me that market research indicates KROI does a good job (SEE: News 92FM's Mike Barajas & Bonnie Petrie honored by Texas AP) , but listeners are having problems realizing the new station is there in the former Gospel station's frequency.

In August 2012, the station was seeing an upward trend in the ratings to a 1.0 rating. At that time, Regional Vice President of the Radio One Houston cluster, Doug Abernethy, told me the biggest challenge is getting the News 92 FM name out to Houston. In his experience, getting buzz after launching a new music format has been easier in the past. He added once people find News 92 FM on the dial, "they love us." He said the time they spend listening has been very good.

Radio One has put resources into the station. Just last year, it completed brand new KROI studios and facilities for the staff (TAKE A TOUR).

I contacted Bishop for comment and will update this post if I hear back from her.

RELATED
- KHOU and News 92 FM team up in coverage
- News 92 FM and Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 team up
- Mike Barajas drops the microphone for baton
- Houston stations' billboard war
- News 92 KROI hires new leader

* updated