Texas TV news and radio job moves September 2026

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

- Houston, DFW and San Antonio TV baby news
- Texas media layoffs in Fort Worth and San Antonio
- Texas TV anchors welcome and announce babies
- 2026 Lone Star EMMY Nominations

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Yonni Rude is the new Urban One Dallas Operations Manager, overseeing 97.9 The Beat KBFB, K104 KKDA, and Smooth 105.7 KRNB.

Sarah Blaskovich named restaurant critic of The Dallas Morning News.

KERA launches a new, redesigned kera.org.

Dallas Native Markie Martin to Anchor NewsNation’s “Morning in America” from the State Fair of Texas.

Victory+ dissolved, will no longer stream Texas high school football games.

TCU banning Star-Telegram poses a loss for sports journalism and fans.

- 105.3 The Fan named Dallas Mavericks flagship radio station
- Chip Waggoner celebrates 30 years at FOX 4 KDFW
- Payton May leaves FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
- Tynisha Jackson joins Spectrum News 1 Dallas

HOUSTON

Ralph Cooper Becomes First Black Honoree on the Houston Baseball Media Wall of Honor/

Fox 26’s Nate Griffin delivers morning sports like no other.

Chris Silva returns to ABC13 KTRK as Vice President - Technology from the same position at 6ABC WPVI Philadelphia.

Jay Michaels joins Country 97.1 Hank-FM WLHK and B105.7 WYXB Indianapolis after MIX 96.5 KHMX.

Remembering Radar: 10 years since we said goodbye to KPRC 2's beloved weather dog.

ABC13 KTRK Houston director Michael Fernau retired on September 7, 2026.  HE previously worked for NTV, RFD-TV, KPTM, and WOWT.

Graham Adams leaves ABC13 KTRK, where he was a Broadcast & IT Systems Engineer.

- Houston radio gets X106.1 as Tejano Moves to 99.5
- “The Morning Bull with Matt & Lois” on 100.3 The Bull in Houston
- Sharron Melton leaves CW39 Houston
- Mayra Moreno returns to ABC13 Houston after maternity leave
- KPRC 2 expands 3pm newscast to one hour
- Collin Myers returns to Houston at KPRC 2
- Oldies 107.5 HD2 KGLK Houston is gone
- KPRC 2 was No. 1 at 10 p.m. Why did it have 'Enough' with a traditional newscast?
- Enough first episode on KPRC 2 Houston 9-13-26
- Tammy Rose to leave ABC13 Houston's chopper
- Anthony Yanez is sticking around at KPRC 2 Houston
- Sakura Gray joins FOX 26 KRIV Houston
- Lauren Kelly talks Beyoncé with Jimmy Fallon
- Monica "Mo" Lunsford joins SUNNY 99.1
- Karol Suárez joins Noticias Telemundo as Houston correspondent
- Maria Aguilera leaves KHOU 11 Houston
- FOX 26's Jillian Hartmann gets engaged at AT&T Stadium
- 104.1 KRBE gets a new look
- Bill Bishop retires from KHOU 11 Houston after 42 years, colleagues reflect on his impact
- Jeff Ehling signs off ABC13 Houston
- Leigha McNeil joins KPRC 2 Houston as morning traffic anchor
- Justina Latimer joins FOX 5 Atlanta
- Mary Benton leaving Houston Mayor's Office for METRO
- Andrew "Latty" Latimer has 104 dreams come true on KRBE Houston
- Let's talk about those Caroline Collins streaming posts
- Karen Hua joins ABC News
- Cathy Hernandez always a Houston Texans cheerleader
- Runaway Radio featured in Houston Chronicle article "From 'Urban Cowboy' to 'Boyhood,' the 30 Houston films every Houstonian should see"

SAN ANTONIO

Dean Radla, the general manager of News 4 San Antonio, FOX San Antonio and CW35, retired after 30 years with Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Four San Antonio TV stations face a random FCC investigation.

San Antonio Spurs, DAZN Ink Exclusive Streaming Deal.

Producer and the audience engagement specialist Jon Coker leaves KENS 5.

 Tommy Namphong was recently promoted from Editor to Digital Content Marketer at KSAT12.

- Kate Devine joins News 4 San Antonio and FOX San Antonio
- KSAT San Antonio debuts 1pm newscast
- Leigh Waldman promoted to CNN Correspondent
- Ex-San Antonio TV reporter goes viral in "Right to Bare Arms"
- Alex Garcia and Chuck Miketinac no longer with FOX San Antonio KABB

AUSTIN

Rowe, Sarkisian controversy shows growing need for respect toward women in sports.

Josue Cuevas joins KVUE Austin as Morning Executive Producer from KUSA Denver.

Victor Mills and Heavan Doyle join KVUE as producers.  Doyle previously served as a Story Desk Editor at KIII Corpus Christi.

- KXAN Austin launches ‘Cause & Effect’
- Ann Pierret and Nathan Langley join KXAN Austin
- Julieanna Jackson joins FOX 7 Austin
- Mike Warren retires from FOX 7 Austin
- Dominique Leh joins FOX 7 Austin
- Brandon Schaff joins KVUE Austin and love is in the air
- Kristin Walla joined KVUE Austin
- Darby Brown leaves CBS Austin for 12News Phoenix

AROUND TEXAS

The murder of KRBC Abilene reporter Jennifer Servo remains unsolved 24 years after she was found inside her Abilene apartment.

70 Years of Stories: KVIA—Your Community, Your News, Your Legacy.

Lidia Herrera joins KRGV 5 Rio Grande Valley as a reporter.

Rishi Oza joins Eyewitness News KBAK and FOX58 Bakersfield, California as weekend sports anchor from KVIA ABC-7 News El Paso.

Ava Davis joins KTAB/KRBC Abilene as a reporter and an anchor on Saturdays for KTAB.

Marixa Zamora — now Marixa Jones — announced her departure from Entravision Communications in McAllen, in the Rio Grande Valley.

Marcela Delgado joins as host of HOLA! on KGNS+ and Telemundo Laredo, while Luis Enrique Vela and Michelle James Thorpe join KGNS as multimedia journalists.

KRIS 6 News wins statewide open government award for housing authority investigation.

Fernando Montejano, or "Grizz," is half of the popular Iris & Grizz morning DJ duo. He had a rough start in life. 

- Jasmin Caldwell joins KWTX 10 + more Waco changes
- Isabella Martinez joins NBC 6 South Florida
- TAB Board welcomes 8 new directors
- Brett Anthony joins KY3 Springfield from CBS19 Tyler
- Greg Kerr joins KCEN 6 Waco-Temple-Killeen

REMEMBERING

Charles U. “Chuck” Spaugh, 87, Lubbock broadcaster, dies.

Former ABC13 KTRK Houston chief editor and producer Gary Parker has died.

- Victor Lopez, NewsWest 9 morning anchor, dies after cancer battle

Oldies 107.5 HD2 KGLK Houston is gone

Here is what I have learned.  If I like a Houston HD radio station, its days are numbered.

The latest casualty is Oldies 107.5 HD2 KGLK, voiced and programmed locally by Eagle DJ Scott Sparks.  The station that featured 1970s-era AM gold hits, which I guess could be classified as somewhat Yacht Rock, is no more as of this week.

Instead, it's been replaced by an FM station I recently wrote about debuting - The X106.1 K291CE-FM.  Remember, the one that replaced Puro Tejano 106.1 to compete with the void left by 95.7 The Spot KKHH's format flip to 95.7 The Fan KIKK sports talk?  Got all of that?

Now you might ask, why is a station that can be picked up on analog radio also airing on a digital subband? (called DAB in the UK, I just learned)

Well, notice the funny call letters of K291CE-FM associated with the 106.1 frequency?  That is a low-power station, so it can only go so far.  So I guess the thought of going on 107.5 HD2 increases the range and therefore listeners and hopefully advertisers.  It should help, but 107.5 HD2 has moments where I can't get it, even with a good antenna. 

And then there is the age-old question concerning how many Houston radio listeners can even pick up digital HD radio?

Now, let's look at the Houston HD digital graveyard of stations that I have loved that are no longer with us:

- HarD Rock 96-5 HD2 off the air
- 104.1 KRBE HD2 flips to "NASH Icon" country

Oh, and I am never promoting another Houston HD radio station.  It's for their protection. 

Texas 2026 NAB Crystal Radio Award Winners

The National Association of Broadcasters today announced the 10 winners of the 39th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards, including two Texas winners, such as Radio-One Houston's 106.9/107.5 The Eagle KGLK.

"I am so proud of my team for their efforts in the community," Radio-One Houston Director of Operations Travis Moon told mikemcguff.com.   "Our goal is to meet our listeners where their passions are and help is needed. The Eagle isn’t just where Houston rocks, it’s where Houston comes together."  

2026 NAB Crystal Radio Award winners:

KBHP-FM, Bemidji, Minn.

The Eagle 106.9/107.5 KGLK-FM, Houston, Texas

Candy 95 KNDE-FM, College Station, Texas

KXKT-FM, Omaha, Neb.

WCCO-AM, Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minn.

WEEI-FM, Boston, Mass.

WHJX-FM, Jacksonville, Fla.

WIYY-FM, Baltimore, Md.

WOKV-FM, Jacksonville, Fla.

WSB-AM, Atlanta, Ga.

- Texas 2026 Crystal Radio Award Finalists
- Texas 2024 NAB Crystal Radio Award Winners including one from Houston

Since 1987, these awards have recognized radio stations for their exceptional year-round commitment to community service. Recipients were chosen from 50 previously announced finalists.

The finalists were honored, and the winners were announced at the 2026 NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., where more than 500 broadcasters from across the country gathered to advocate for local stations’ policy priorities.

The winners were chosen by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations, and public relations firms.

Texas 2026 Crystal Radio Award Finalists

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced the 50 finalists for the 2026 NAB Crystal Radio Awards. 

The Texas 2026 Crystal Radio Awards finalists are:

106.9 AND 107.5 KGLK-FM, Houston, Texas

93Q KKBQ-FM, Houston, Texas

Candy 95 KNDE-FM, College Station, Texas

La Jefa 102.7 KNDE-HD3, College Station, Texas

SEE ALL FINALISTS

The awards will be presented during a special ceremony at the NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 2026.

Since 1987, these awards have honored radio stations for their outstanding community service efforts, from radiothons for their local children’s hospitals and support for veterans to food drives after severe weather events. Ten Crystal Radio Award winners will be chosen from the finalists by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations, and public relations firms.

It's a mikemcguff blog 20 year celebration!

Jennifer Reyna and Mike McGuff

When I started writing this blog in October 2005, I thought it might last a few months.  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it would last 20 years.

And believe it or not, we have two events to celebrate the two-decade achievement.

I'm holding a screening of my 101 KLOL Houston documentary "Runaway Radio" at the legendary River Oaks Theatre on October 1, 2025, at 7:15 pm with the reunited Jennifer Reyna and Outlaw Dave.

Michael Garfield, “The High Tech Texan,” serves as event host.

BUY TICKETS

Notice the date? October 1st is 10-1, like the radio dial position of 101 FM! I wish I had come up with that, but the credit goes to Rob Saucedo, the Artistic Director at River Oaks Theatre!

Houston Matters with Craig Cohen on Houston Public Media just aired an interview with me about the documentary this morning!

Obviously, readers of this blog will recognize Reyna as KHOU 11 Houston morning traffic anchor and Outlaw Dave as morning show host for Houston’s Eagle 106.9 and 107.5 KHPT/KGLK. Reyna started her broadcasting career on Dave's afternoon 101 KLOL show!

In honor of Mark Stevens, my mom and Dayna Steele's mother, we will be collecting funds for the Alzheimer’s Association Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter. Even if you don't attend the screening, you can donate here.

Since our last screening, “Runaway Radio” won the prestigious Texas Independent Film Award (TIFA) – for the best film made in Texas – at the Houston Film Critics Society’s 18th Annual Awards. A special ceremony will be held in honor of the occasion at the River Oaks Theatre screening.  Previous TIFA winners include Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10-1/2: A Space Age Childhood and Sean Baker’s Red Rocket.

"Runaway Radio" features interviews with Dusty Hill (ZZ Top), Lyle Lovett, Sammy Hagar (Solo, Van Halen, Montrose, The Circle), Melissa Etheridge (singer-songwriter), Doug Pinnick (King’s X, KXM) and Carmine Appice (Ozzy Osbourne, Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, King Kobra) and the KLOL crew.

The night before

To kick the party off early, the night before on Tuesday, September 30, at 7:30, I will also be at a special screening of The Gardener's Year at the River Oaks Theatre. BUY TICKETS HERE

Rodeo Radio 92.9 HD2 Houston replaces Country Legends

Rodeo Radio 92.9 HD2 Houston replaces the former Country Legends 97.1 KTHT and Country Legends 92.9 HD2, on popular sister station's 93Q Country KKBQ digital sub-channel.

“Seven decades of iconic country artists and songs all in one place," Travis Moon, Director of Operations for Radio-One Houston told mikemcguff.com.  "From Patsy Montana to Alan Jackson, we created Houston’s Country Music Scrapbook.  Hearing artists like Cowboy Copas, Pee Wee King, Sons of The Pioneers in the mix is extra special.  So much fun to build such a robust playlist of Country music history."

Texas Radio Hall of Famer and sister station The Eagle 106.9/107.5 FM KGLK afternoon host, Scott Sparks, is the big voice you hear for the station's imaging. He is also the announcer for one of my favorite stations. Oldies 107.5 HD2!

While the Country Legends name rides off into the sunset, Rodeo Radio is dialing country’s greatest hits, from the 1940s now with more emphasis on the 1980s and 1990s, and promising a special nod to our city's Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo tradition.

With the rebrand, countrylegends.com is now on RodeoRadioHouston.com, and the Country Legends app will soon sport the new Rodeo Radio branding. You can also find Rodeo Radio on the iHeart and TuneIn apps.

- 104.1 KRBE HD2 flips to "NASH Icon" country

Here is a sample of what was played on Rodeo Radio 92.9 HD2 Houston this morning:

Little Texas
First Time for Everything

Jim Ed Brown
Pop a Top

Tracy Lawrence
Time Marches On

Keith Whitley
Don't Close Your Eyes

Dwight Yoakam

I Got You

John Michael Montgomery

Be My Baby Tonight

Kenny Rogers

Daytime Friends

'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.

"Dean and Rog" break silence since Houston's Eagle firing

The "Dean and Rog" Morning Show issued a statement today for the first time since they were fired from The Eagle 106.9/107.5 KHPT-KGLK Houston in December 2024:

"To our listeners:

As you are probably aware, after nearly 30 years on the air in Houston, the Dean & Rog show mercifully came to an end.  The week before Christmas, we were given an early gift.  Our termination.

We apologize for the delayed response, but want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your support, loyalty and amazing tolerance.  We also want to thank our great team, Kelly Ryan and producer Rusty.  

We’ll miss sharing mornings with you, but we are off to new adventures!  Rog with his fabulous new boat, and Dean combing the beach with his metal detector.

All the best,

Dean & Rog"

The show, hosted by longtime broadcast duo Dean Myers and Roger Beaty, was known for the Birthday Scam, Redneck Roy, the Dean and Rog Singers, and the Drink of the Week.

Dean and Rog, members of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, class of 2022, started in Houston at classic rocker 93.7 The Arrow KKRW, now 93.7 The Beat KQBT as of 2013.

They moved to The New 107.5 The Eagle KGLK in 2009 when it signed on the air.

Since the Dean and Rog show exited, 101 KLOL legend Outlaw Dave has been doing mornings on Houston's Eagle. Watch OD in the documentary "Runaway Radio."  Former KLOL DJ Chuck Akers has also joined KHPT-KGLK.

The same week Dean and Rog left The Eagle 106.9/107.5, "The Morning Bullpen with George Mo and Erik" was canceled by 100.3 The Bull KILT Houston.  The "Frito & Katy Show" replaced them in January 2025.

Texas TV news and radio job moves February 2025

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

- Best TV News Bloopers February 2025

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Morning anchor Deborah Ferguson celebrates 34 years with NBC5 KXAS.

Mike Bacsik to Leave 105.3 The Fan at the End of February.

Developer scraps plan to convert ex-Dallas Morning News into fun zone.

88.3 The Journey KJRN Keene announces longtime KLTY Dallas Program Director, Mike Prendergast, signed on to consult.

Matt Goodman is leaving D Magazine.

WBAP Adds The Joe Pags Show to Daily Lineup.

- 97.9 The Beat DFW is NAB 2025 Crystal Radio Award finalist
- Johnny Resendiz joins CBS News Texas
- Monty Cook becomes WBAP DFW news anchor
- Dallas Wings and KFAA 29 DFW create broadcast rights agreement
- WFAA flashback freezing temperatures - February 4, 1996
- Brianda Villegas joins WFAA 8 DFW
- Former DFW news director now TEGNA Chief Content Officer
- CBS News Texas is building something weather related
- FOX 4 KDFW studio tour
- Erin Moran leaves CBS News Texas

HOUSTON

The Houston Chronicle announced Bao Ong will be its new restaurant critic.

Opinion Editor Lisa Falkenberg to become Chronicle Senior Columnist.

The Houston Chronicle has named reporters Ryan Nickerson and Shakari Briggs to new reporting positions that will cover how local government is working — or failing to work — for residents in Houston and the entire metro area. 

97.9 The Box KBXX morning co-host Keisha Nicole has also added middays replacing the cancelled “Amanda Seales Show”. 

Interview with D’Artagnan Bebel, the Senior Vice President/General Manager for FOX26 TV & My20 TV and the GM & Head of Programming for FOX SOUL.

FOX 26 KRIV weekend anchor Tom Zizka celebrates 37 years in the TV biz.

KPRC 2 reporter Re'Chelle Turner celebrates 10 years in the TV industry. 

Consumer reporter Heather Sullivan celebrates five years with FOX 26 KRIV.

Amanda Stevenson joins KPRC 2 as a producer.

Former 101 KLOL DJ Chuck Akers announced he is now the 7pm to midnight weekend jock for The Eagle 106.9/107.5 KHPT-KGLK Houston.

Kevin Olmsted joins the KPRC 2 as a creative marketing producer from KHOU 11.

Reporter Clare Amari leaves the Houston Landing.

Gow Media has upgraded its automation system to Broadcast Electronics' (BE) new AudioVAULT 11.

- Miya Shay celebrates Lunar New Year with media guests
- Jaewon Jung joins KPRC 2 Houston
- "The Roula & Ryan Show with Eric" sticks around for 5 more years on 104.1 KRBE
- Chancellor Johnson leaves KPRC 2 Houston
- Isiah Carey issues statement concerning DWI arrest
- Telemundo Houston uses special effects to show weather changes
- Damali Keith leaves FOX 26 Houston
- Theresa guest co-hosts on Rod Ryan Show
- Texas TV marriages at the end of 2024
- KPRC 2 Houston cuts off SNL 50 special
- Houston-area DJs honored in Country Radio Hall Of Fame class of 2025
- KPRC 2 removes video from story after political outcry
- Karen Hua joins CBS News as Houston-based reporter
- Caroline Brown gives birth
- Frito and Katy grew up on Houston radio and are ready to ride The Bull
- Houston radio station says its transmitter was vandalized
- FOX 26's 'Breaking Bond' segment has roots back to 1991
- HISD taps into journalist skills with launch of new broadcast
- KTRK Anchor Emeritus Dave Ward Plaque unveiling and dedication ceremony
- Deborah Duncan talks TV and motherhood

SAN ANTONIO

Reported layoffs hit KENS 5.

Mark Shecterle Moves from Tulsa to Lead CMG San Antonio.

Jenny Law joins 101.0 KONO as APD/midday host.

KSAT 12 to introduce new daily streaming sports show.

- Karina Hollingsworth joins News 4 San Antonio
- Ernie Zuniga joins KSAT 12 San Antonio
- KENS 5 San Antonio celebrates 75 years
- Mia Montgomery to leave KSAT San Antonio
- Jessica Coombs to leave KENS 5 San Antonio
- Ernie Zuniga debuts KSAT "Pickup Lines" with special guests
- Robert Price leaving News 4 San Antonio

AUSTIN

Latino 97.1 Austin Returns To Spanish CHR.

Morning anchor Hannah Rucker celebrates five years with KVUE.

KVET Takes The Format Lead In Austin.

- Hearst to buy Austin American-Statesman, now covering Austin, Houston and San Antonio
- Fred Cantú to retire from CBS Austin after 53 year broadcasting career

AROUND TEXAS

Morning anchor John-Thomas Kobos celebrates 14 years ago at KIII Corpus Christi.

Oklahoma Hospitality Club honors KFDX Wichita Falls anchor Emily Faith.

KBTX Bryan-College Station evening anchor Rusty Surette voted Best TV Personality for 2024 in BCS by Bryan Broadcasting.

Tre Sanchez joins KFDM 6 Beaumont as a Multimedia Journalist.

Jason Freund leaves NewsWest 9 KWES Midland-Odessa to become a Multimedia Journalist for WSLS 10 Roanoke, Virginia.

Weekend anchor Jack Kessler celebrates five years with KAMR Local 4 News Amarillo.

Sydni Walker joins KCEN 6 Waco-Temple-Killeen as a reporter.

Reporter Sydney Ferguson is leaving KFDM 6/FOX 4 Beaumont for KAKE 10 Wichita, Kansas.

Devyn Shea, host of East Texas Now on KLTV, is leaving the station.

- Sophia Ridley joins KBTX Bryan-College Station
- Baylee Bates adds KCEN 5, 6, and 10pm anchor duties
- KRIS Corpus Christi's new morning TV anchors are married!
- Darrell Franklin promoted to KFDX news director
- Alan Shoemaker spotted in the 956
- DeAnna Giles joins KLTV 7 Tyler
- Claydra Rhodes promoted to KBMT Beaumont evening co-anchor
- Mike Gillaspia named KIII 3NEWS Corpus Christi evening anchor
- Lee Baker leaves KVII after 37 years

REMEMBERING

Engineer Dale Edward Boren, 79, who retired from ABC13 KTRK Houston after 32 years of service, has died.

- Jim Carola of KILT fame has died
- Chauncy Glover's cause of death released by LA County

100.3 The Bull 'Morning Bullpen' signs off

"The Morning Bullpen with George Mo and Erik" on 100.3 The Bull KILT Houston signs off Friday, according to multiple reports.

UPDATE MAY 2025
Mo from 100.3 The Bull joins Rod Ryan Show

UPDATE MAY 2025
Erik Scott Smith joins Y100 San Antonio

UPDATE
100.3 The Bull address listeners concerning morning show

UPDATE JANUARY 2025
Frito and Katy grew up on Houston radio and are ready to ride The Bull

So, if you are a fan, make sure to listen on Friday, as this morning show seemingly will get a chance to say goodbye, unlike the "Dean and Rog" Morning Show on The Eagle 106.9/107.5 KHPT-KGLK.

The Houston country morning radio team of Monica "Mo" Lunsford, George Lindsey, and newer addition Erik Scott Smith won the 2023 ACM Radio Award, presented by the Academy of Country Music for "On-air Personality of the Year – Major Market." The show also won in 2017.

Smith joined Mo and George in 2021 from "The Heidi & Frank Show" on 95.5 KLOS Los Angeles and a co-host gig with television show "Dish Nation."  He replaced "Cowboy Dave" Bayless who had been with KILT all the way back to mornings with Rowdy Yates and Erin Austin.

- Houston's Morning Show: The True Story of Hudson & Harrigan by Randy Hames

The originally titled "The Morning Bull" debuted in March 2015 with George, Mo, and Cowboy Dave taking over for Corey Foley and Greg Thunder.

Lindsey came from 102.3 WXMA Louisville, Kentucky, and Lunsford from 98.7 KUPL Portland, Oregon.

IN OTHER HOUSTON MORNING RADIO NEWS...

Tessa Barrera leaves 94.5 The Buzz

Dean and Rog exit The Eagle 106.9/107.5

The "Dean and Rog" Morning Show, hosted by Dean Myers and Roger Beaty, is apparently no longer on The Eagle 106.9/107.5 KHPT-KGLK Houston according to multiple sources.

UPDATE MARCH 2025
"Dean and Rog" break silence since Houston's Eagle firing

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2025
Former KLOL DJ Chuck Akers joins Houston’s Eagle

ALSO HAPPENING
100.3 The Bull 'Morning Bullpen' signs off

I listened from 5 a.m. to 6:15 a.m. Thursday morning, and it was all music with no Dean and Rog or show IDs. The long-running morning show is no longer listed on The Eagle's website programming schedule.  The show's page has been erased.

UPDATE: On the morning of this post, I heard Eagle night host and 101 KLOL legend Outlaw Dave made an appearance after I stopped listening. Outlaw Dave has since been listed as the morning show host on The Eagle website.  Watch Dave in the KLOL documentary "Runaway Radio."

I contacted The Eagle Wednesday afternoon about the "Dean and Rog" dismissal but have not heard back.  

From what I understand, Kelly Ryan, who is also with the show, is no longer on air either. Ryan has been with Dean and Rog since 2019.

The show is known for the Birthday Scam, Redneck Roy, the Dean and Rog Singers, and the Drink of the Week.

Dean and Rog have been on the air in Houston for 27 years and were inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, class of 2022. 

The morning longtime radio duo joined the now-defunct 93.7 The Arrow KKRW in 1997. 

In 2009, they moved to The New 107.5 The Eagle KGLK. 

It took me some time, but I finally figured out exactly where Dean and Rog worked before Houston, as they usually just mention the cities. They started together in Flint and moved through the following markets until they landed in Houston.

102.5 WIOG Saginaw/Flint, Michigan

103.5 KRSP Salt Lake City, Utah

106.7 KBPI Denver, Colorado

100.7 KSLX Phoenix Arizona

IN OTHER HOUSTON MORNING RADIO NEWS...

Tessa Barrera leaves 94.5 The Buzz

Texas 2024 Crystal Radio Award Finalists

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced the finalists for the 2024 NAB Crystal Radio Awards, which has honored radio stations’ outstanding community service efforts since 1987. 

UPDATE APRIL 2024
Texas 2024 NAB Crystal Radio Award Winners, including one from Houston

Texas finalists for the 2024 Crystal Radio Awards are:

The Eagle 106.9/107.5 KGLK Houston

93Q Country KKBQ Houston

94.9 KLTY Dallas-Fort Worth

Candy 95 KNDE College Station

1620AM & 94.5FM WTAW College Station

SEE FULL LIST HERE

According to WTAW, 2024 marks the tenth time since 2010 that the station has been selected as a finalist for the NAB’s Crystal Award and Candy 95’s ninth time as a finalist with wins in 2012, 2016, and 2019.

Ten Crystal Radio Award winners will be chosen from the nationwide finalists by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations, and public relations firms.

Winners will be announced during the "We Are Broadcasters" ceremony that takes place on the Main Stage at NAB Show on April 16, 2024.

Country Legends 97.1 Houston flips to K-LOVE

Country Legends 97.1 Houston KTHT flipped to K-LOVE KLVH on Halloween night, and no, it wasn't a trick much to the chagrin of country radio listeners contacting me.

Here is more from the Country Legends 97.1 Facebook page:

"Due to the sale of the frequency at 97.1FM, Country Legends has moved.  

This amazing station and ALL of [your] favorite Classic Country songs and legendary artists are still alive on the radio but can now be exclusively found at 92.9 HD2, online at countrylegends971.com and on your Country Legends App.  

Same station just a few new ways to hear it."

The station ended during the shift of Country Legends 97.1/93Q KKBQ DJ Corey Dillon, but then a special twist happened right before K-Love took over.

LISTEN HERE

Tom "Tubby" Lawler, the first DJ/assistant program director/music director for Country Legends 97.1, was the last voice heard on the station before it flipped on October 31, 2023 at 6pm.  

In a recorded clip from many years ago, Lawler introduced Marty Robbins' "Some Memories Just Won't Die" as the very last song heard on KTHT before static and K-LOVE made its Houston debut in the middle of a song. Lawler died in 2016 which makes it all even more sentimental. 

Country Legends 97.1 KTHT and Lawler debuted in January 2003 after the station flipped from "Hot 97.1." 

Lawler will be a familiar name to Rock 101 KLOL Houston fans who heard him on the Stevens and Pruett morning show.

The Houston radio format flip happened due to a couple of recent happenings.

In April of 2023, KTHT owner Cox Media Group sold its Houston stations to Urban One Inc. Those stations are 93Q Country KKBQ-FM, classic rock station The Eagle 106.9 & 107.5 KHPT-FM and KGLK-FM, and Country Legends 97.1 KTHT-FM.

The following July, Country Legends 97.1 was sold to Educational Media Foundation (EMF) which owns the nationwide contemporary Christian music radio network K-LOVE. K-LOVE could be considered a competitor to Hope Media Group's longtime Houston contemporary Christian station 89.3 KSBJ.  

Also sold before KTHT was Praise 92.1 KROI, a station Urban One had to sell due to Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) local ownership limits. After purchasing all of the Cox stations, Urban One had to sell both KTHR and KROI to be under the ownership cap. 

At the time of this post's publish date, Praise 92.1 is still on the Houston FM dial. 

Right as Country Legends was flipping formats, Rowdy Yates, a famous Houston country radio name, posted two interviews with former KTHT mornings/KILT DJ Dan Gallo which you can hear below.

Rowdy Yates · Ep.05a-Dan Gallo

Rowdy Yates · Ep.05b-Dan Gallo

Outlaw Dave joins Houston's Eagle 106.9 and 107.5

‘Outlaw Dave’ Andrews, whose name is synonymous with Texas rock radio, is joining Houston's Eagle 106.9 and 107.5 KHPT/KGLK from 7pm to midnight weekdays.

"I'm so excited to be back on Rock radio in Space City, not only on one of the top stations but also a finalist in the Marconi awards for 2023 - Houston's Eagle," Outlaw Dave told mikemcguff.com.  "I've known or worked with everybody on the staff for the better part of 20 plus years so returning to my traditional radio roots has been effortless and very welcoming! Not discounting my efforts in the bar and festival business but it's good to be back at something full force that I know I'm really good at! Got mouths to feed and charities to support so I am in 101%."

Known for his iconic gravelly delivery and wit, Outlaw Dave, made a name for himself on the Houston FM dial though wild times at the former Rock 101 KLOL "Outlaw Radio" and afternoons (later at 97.5/103.7 KIOL).  

Always a force for good, the Texas Radio Hall of Famer class of 2014, also runs "The Outlaw Dave Foundation" serving at-risk youth, abused animals and advocating for veterans’ rights.

"We are always excited to give our listeners a live and local experience and we are pumped to bring Dave’s years of market radio talent to Houston’s Eagle," Travis Moon, Director of Operations for the stations told mikemcguff.com. "The Eagle has experienced some awesome growth in the last year. Finding new and exciting ways to connect with our audience will help the Eagle continue to soar high in Houston."

Even if you are not in Houston, you might hear your pal Outlaw Dave DJing on a radio station near you.  

He, along with other notable Houston voices, are apart of Houston-based SuiteRadio's daypart offerings for radio stations across the country in more than 50 markets. 

"Additionally, I am working with Pat Fant and Cruz and am equally excited about taking the 'Outlaw Radio' concept and making it accessible nationwide to spread our credo of humanism and stewardship," Dave added.

RELATED
- KLOL gives away $1,001 during 1998 Houston heatwave
- Outlaw Dave made this Houston band famous

Country Legends 97.1 KTHT sold to EMF

Country Legends 97.1 KTHT has been sold to Educational Media Foundation (EMF) according to RadioInsight.

UPDATE OCTOBER 31, 2023
Country Legends 97.1 Houston flips to K-LOVE

This after the April 2023 sale of Cox Media Group's Houston cluster of radio stations to Urban One Inc. 

For those keeping score, the CMG stations in Houston are 93Q Country KKBQ-FM, classic rock station The Eagle 106.9 & 107.5 KHPT-FM and KGLK-FM, and Country Legends 97.1 KTHT-FM.  The Urban One Inc. Houston stations are 97.9 'The Box' and Majic 102.1.

After the announcement, Urban One sold Praise 92.1 KROI Houston to Spanish Broadcasting System.

The reason KROI and now KTHT are being sold off after the big sale is due to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) local ownership limits. 

EMF already owns Houston's Air1 103.7 KHJK.

2023 NAB Marconi Radio Texas Award Finalists

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)  announced the finalists for the 2023 NAB Marconi Radio Awards.

Winners will be announced October 25, 2023 at the Marconi Radio Awards Dinner.

Established in 1989 and named after inventor and Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi, the NAB Marconi Radio Awards are given to radio stations and outstanding on-air personalities to recognize excellence in radio.

HERE IS THE FULL LIST OF FINALISTS

Here are categories with Texas stations:

NETWORK/SYNDICATED PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Enrique Santos, WZTU-FM Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Erica Campbell, Reach Media, Dallas, Texas

George Noory, Premiere Radio Networks, Inc., Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Katie Neal, Audacy, Nashville, Tenn.

Rich Eisen, Westwood One, Los Angeles, Calif.

MAJOR MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti, WFAN-FM, New York, N.Y.

George Dunham, Craig Miller and Gordon Keith, KTCK-AM, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

Jason Pullman, KPLX-FM, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

Lin Brehmer, WXRT-FM, Chicago, Ill.

Mark "Hawkeye" Lewis and Michelle Rodriguez , KSCS-FM, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

LARGE MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Billy Madison , KISS-FM, San Antonio, Texas

Chris Carr, Kia Becht and Sam Sansevere, KEEY-FM, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

Dave Ryan with Falen, Jenny and Drake, KDWB-FM, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

Lincoln Ware, WDBZ-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio

Paul Castronovo, WBGG-FM, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

MAJOR MARKET STATION OF THE YEAR

KSCS-FM, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

WALR-FM, Atlanta, Ga.

WINS-FM, New York, N.Y.

WLTW-FM, New York, N.Y.

WWPR-FM, New York, N.Y.

AC STATION OF THE YEAR

KBIG-FM, Los Angeles, Calif.

KODA-FM, Houston, Texas

KOIT-FM, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif.

WALK-FM, New York, N.Y.

WEZN-FM, New York, N.Y.

CHR STATION OF THE YEAR

KMVQ-FM, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif.

KNDE-FM, Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas

WAPE-FM, Jacksonville, Fla.

WHTZ-FM, New York, N.Y.

WWPW-FM, Atlanta, Ga.

CLASSIC HITS STATION OF THE YEAR

KJEB-FM, Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.

KONO-FM, San Antonio, Texas

KRTH-FM, Los Angeles, Calif.

WAXQ-FM, New York, N.Y.

WSRV-FM, Atlanta, Ga.

RELIGIOUS STATION OF THE YEAR

KLTY-FM, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

WLCC-AM, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota, Fla.

WMIT-FM, Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.-Asheville, N.C.

WNNL-FM, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

WPRS-FM, Washington, D.C.

ROCK STATION OF THE YEAR

KGLK-FM, Houston, Texas

WIYY-FM, Baltimore, Md.

WMMR-FM, Philadelphia, Pa.

WPLR-FM, Hartford-New Haven, Conn.

WXTB-FM, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota, Fla.

SPANISH LANGUAGE STATION OF THE YEAR

KLOL-FM, Houston, Texas

WLKQ-FM, Atlanta, Ga.

WLZL-FM, Washington, D.C.

WRUM-FM, Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Fla.

WYUU-FM, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota, Fla.

SPORTS STATION OF THE YEAR

KFXN-FM, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

KTCK-AM, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

WBZ-FM, Boston, Mass.

WFAN-FM, New York, N.Y.

WJFK-FM, Washington, D.C.

Praise 92.1 KROI Houston sold to Spanish Broadcasting System

Praise 92.1 KROI Houston has been sold to Spanish Broadcasting System by Urban One for $7.5 million according to multiple radio trade sites.

UPDATE DECEMBER 2024
La Ley 92.1 FM launches in Houston

The Praise format returned to KROI in 2021.

So why is this happening?

With Urban One (owner of 97.9 'The Box' and Majic 102.1) announcing the purchase of the Cox Media Group Houston cluster in April 2023 (93Q Country KKBQ, The Eagle 106.9 and 107.5 KHPT-KGLK and Country Legends 97.1 KTHT) two stations must be sold to comply with the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) local ownership limits.

That means one more station of this newly combined group of Houston radio stations must be sold and it will apparently be Country Legends 97.1.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE JULY 2023
Country Legends 97.1 KTHT sold to EMF

HISTORY OF 92.1 KROI FORMATS

NOVEMBER 2011
- Why News 92 is taking over Praise 92.1 + backlash
- News 92 FM KROI is on the air (1st hour local audio included)

OCTOBER 2014
- News 92 KROI is dead - Beyonce Channel B92 launches
- Boom 92.1 FM Classic Hip Hop Houston radio 

JANUARY 2017
The New 92.1 Radio Now replaces Boom 92.1 KROI 

Katelyn Maida returns to 93Q mornings from maternity leave

Katelyn Maida has returned to her morning show shift on 93Q Country KKBQ.

Maida gave birth to baby boy Elio Andrew in early January 2023.

When Maida made the announcement concerning her pregnancy, country singer/songwriter Lee Brice was on the phone!

The baby is not the only new thing for 93Q, as I blogged early this week, 97.9 'The Box' and Majic 102.1 owner Urban One Inc. announced it has plans to buy the station, plus the other Cox Media Group Houston stations such as The Eagle 106.9 & 107.5 KHPT/KGLK and Country Legends 97.1 KTHT.

Maida joined 93Q Country in 2021.

RELATED
Andy “Riggs” Riggle joins 93Q Morning Show Houston

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A post shared by 93Q Houston (@93qhouston)

 

Houston Cox radio stations to be sold to Urban One

SILVER SPRING, Md. and ATLANTA, April 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Urban One Inc. (NASDAQ: UONEK; UONE) announced it has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement with Cox Media Group ("CMG") to purchase its Houston radio cluster. Under the terms of the agreement, Urban One will acquire 93Q Country KKBQ-FM, classic rock station The Eagle 106.9 & 107.5 KHPT-FM and KGLK-FM, and Country Legends 97.1 KTHT-FM.

UPDATE OCTOBER 31, 2023
Country Legends 97.1 Houston flips to K-LOVE

UPDATE APRIL 2023
Praise 92.1 KROI Houston sold to Spanish Broadcasting System

"This acquisition is accretive and aligns with our long-term strategic goals by building our broadcast reach in Houston. Our current stations 97.9 'The Box' and Majic 102.1 are market leaders, and combined with our new stations, allow us to strengthen our business footprint while offering the Houston community more diversified music and special event programming," said Alfred Liggins, President and CEO, Urban One Inc.

In furtherance of the transaction, Urban One will divest stations to comply with FCC ownership regulations. The acquisition and disposition transactions are subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval and other customary closing conditions. CMG and Urban One Inc. will continue to operate their respective stations until the transactions close.

"The CMG Houston radio team includes incredible people committed to informing, entertaining and elevating the Houston community," said Dan York, President & CEO for CMG. "CMG has invested in and grown the value of CMG's Houston radio brands and, while it's difficult to part ways with the valued team members in Houston, we know they will continue their success as part of Urban One. I want to sincerely thank each of them for their positive impact on their audiences, communities, clients and CMG."

(This post was taken from a press release)

 

Andy Hudack retires from Houston radio

Andy Hudack retired from a long Houston radio career as a senior broadcast engineer with Cox Media Group Houston (93Q Country KKBQ, 106.9 KHPT & 107.5 KGLK The Eagle, Country Legends 97.1 FM KTHT) where he has been since 2002.

The Houston radio community gave Hudack a retirement celebration at Charlie's BBQ in Bellaire on September 7, 2022. 

"I truly had some great times with some of the best talent in Houston radio of days gone by, but also had the future generation of great radio folks in attendance yesterday," Hudack told mikemcguff.com on Facebook.

Hudack's Houston radio career started 47 years ago in 1975 when he was a board operator for Top 40 KRLY 94 FM (93.7).

RELATED
Classic Houston radio aircheck audio from the 1950s to the 2000s

He went on to work for other stations like 95.7 KIKK, 99.1 KODA, 104.1 KRBE along with The Houston Oilers, Houston Cougars and Houston Texans radio networks.  

"While Hudak had the ability to master just about any engineering job he was assigned, it was his ability to fix things on the fly earned him the nickname 'MacGyver,'" Houston radio legend Rowdy Yates emailed to mikemcguff.com. "As an on-site remote engineer, he was without peer."

As a thank you for his dedication to his craft, Hudack was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2015.