Tom Cury Takes Over Leadership of KVUE Austin While Continuing to Lead KENS San Antonio

TEGNA is expanding Tom Cury's leadership responsibilities by naming him president and general manager of KVUE Austin, while he continues in the same role at KENS 5 San Antonio.

Announced November 4, 2026, the appointment puts Cury in charge of two of TEGNA's Texas television stations. He will oversee news, content, sales, marketing, digital operations and community engagement at both the Austin ABC affiliate and the San Antonio CBS affiliate.

Cury succeeds Byron Wilkinson at KVUE, who was recently promoted to vice president of ad sales for TEGNA's Texas and Mid-South regions.

According to TEGNA, the expanded leadership structure is intended to bring the Austin and San Antonio stations closer together, creating more opportunities for collaboration while maintaining each station's individual connection to its community.

“Tom will bring our Austin and San Antonio teams closer together, creating more opportunities to collaborate while ensuring each station continues to reflect and serve its unique community,” said Brad Ramsey, senior vice president and group general manager at TEGNA. “Building on the strengths of both stations, Tom will help us accelerate momentum, deepen audience connection, and create even greater value for our customers and partners.”

Cury has served as president and general manager of KENS since joining the San Antonio station in 2015. During his tenure, the station developed innovative streaming content and statewide programming initiatives, including Border Cowboys, a multipart streaming documentary following a high school soccer team, and TEGNA's statewide streaming program Texas High School Football Now.

KENS also received the 2026 Texas Governor's Award for community service, recognizing the station's decade-long commitment to volunteering in local schools.

“At KENS, I've worked closely with our team to turn good ideas into solutions that drive results for our advertisers and into programming that our audiences seek out and enjoy,” Cury said. “KVUE shares that innovative spirit and I'm ready to work with the team there to continue to create content and coverage that serves Austin.”

Before moving to San Antonio, Cury served as director of sales at TEGNA's WFAA in Dallas. His media career also includes sales leadership positions in Baltimore, Miami, Los Angeles and New York. He began in New York City as an account executive with Petry Television before working with Westinghouse Broadcasting and CBS.

A New York City native, Cury earned a bachelor's degree in communications from American University in Washington, D.C.

Byron Wilkinson promoted to TEGNA vice president of ad sales

Cury's appointment at KVUE follows the promotion of Byron Wilkinson, who was named vice president of ad sales for TEGNA's Texas and Mid-South regions in October 2026.

Wilkinson's promotion was part of a broader series of sales leadership changes announced October 15 under Mark Cornetta, TEGNA's senior vice president of sales.

A native Texan with more than 26 years of broadcast and digital media experience, Wilkinson was named KVUE's president and general manager in December 2023 after previously serving as the station's director of sales for seven years.

Before becoming general manager, Wilkinson had served as interim general manager at KVUE and also held the interim general manager position at TEGNA's KBMT/KJAC in Beaumont.

His television management career includes serving as director of sales at KTHV in Little Rock, Arkansas, and local sales manager at KHOU 11 in Houston. Throughout his career, Wilkinson has developed multimedia sales teams and strategies spanning traditional television, streaming and digital advertising platforms.

Wilkinson graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In his new position, he will oversee advertising sales for TEGNA stations across the Texas and Mid-South regions.

Kristie Gonzales named regional vice president of ad sales

Another executive with a significant connection to KVUE Austin is Kristie Gonzales, who was named vice president of ad sales for TEGNA's Northeast and Southeast regions.

Gonzales previously served as president and general manager of KVUE from 2016 until October 2023, when she left Austin to take the same leadership position at TEGNA's 11Alive WXIA and WATL in Atlanta.

She also serves as TEGNA's vice president of revenue and has served as president and general manager at WXIA.

In addition to her Austin responsibilities, Gonzales was named a TEGNA vice president of media operations in 2021. In that position, she oversaw several Texas stations, including KBMT/KJAC in Beaumont, KYTX in Tyler, KCEN/KAGS in Waco and Bryan-College Station, KWES in Midland-Odessa and KXVA/KIDY in Abilene and San Angelo.

Before joining KVUE, Gonzales held television management positions across the country, specializing in news branding, multicultural marketing, and digital and social media strategy. She previously served as promotion and digital brand manager at WABC in New York City.

A graduate summa cum laude with double honors from the University of New Mexico, Gonzales has been active in numerous community organizations. She has served on the boards of SAFE Alliance, Equidad ATX and United Way for Greater Austin, as well as the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas.

She is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Austin Area Research Organization. Gonzales also mentors women and people of color.

Other TEGNA sales leadership promotions

TEGNA's October 15 announcement also included two additional appointments under Cornetta as the company reshapes its national and regional advertising leadership.

Jay Donovan was promoted to vice president of digital sales, where he will lead digital growth strategy across TEGNA's more than 60 media brands. Donovan brings more than 15 years of experience in digital media and advertising technology, helping businesses and marketers use data and precision targeting to generate measurable results.

Kari Jacobs was named vice president of ad sales for TEGNA's Midwest and West regions. Jacobs began her career in journalism before transitioning to the revenue side of media. Her experience spans broadcast television, radio, digital and cable, and she has spent more than 20 years with TEGNA in general management and revenue leadership positions.

“Jay, Kristie, Kari and Byron have proven they know how to bring technology, sales expertise and creativity together to serve our clients,” Cornetta said. “In an increasingly competitive environment, we need experienced leaders willing to rewrite the playbook for our local sales teams, and they're the right people to do it.”

TEGNA establishes new regional management structure

The sales leadership changes followed another major management restructuring announced October 12, 2026, when TEGNA CEO Patrick Paolini named Joan Barrett, Kate Morris and Brad Ramsey as group general managers.

The three executives will oversee local general managers across TEGNA's six regions, with each responsible for two regions. Their responsibilities include establishing strategy and expectations for local station leaders, improving business performance, growing audiences and driving operational excellence.

- Joan Barrett will oversee TEGNA's Northeast and Southeast regions. She has been president and general manager of WCNC Charlotte since 2020 and also assumed oversight of WFMY Greensboro in 2024. Her previous experience includes leading KDVR/KWGN in Denver and television operations for Schurz Communications in Wichita. She is also a co-founder and longtime trainer with the Carole Kneeland Project for Responsible Journalism.

- Kate Morris will oversee the Midwest and West regions. Morris has led KPNX 12News in Phoenix since 2020 and also oversees KMSB and KTTU in Tucson. Previously, she was president and general manager of KTVB in Boise, where the station expanded its local news operation and earned seven National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

- Brad Ramsey will oversee the Texas and Mid-South regions. Ramsey previously served as TEGNA's senior vice president of revenue and led the company's sports rights strategy. He also spent seven years as president and general manager of WFAA in Dallas-Fort Worth, during which the station earned 17 major national journalism honors, including the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence and the NAB Service to America Award.

Ramsey's regional oversight includes the Texas and Mid-South stations, the same broader region in which Wilkinson will now lead advertising sales.

Brittany Begley no longer with KPRC 2 Houston

Brittany Begley announced Wednesday evening that she is no longer a meteorologist for KPRC 2 Houston.

This came after Begley received national coverage in FTVLive and the New York Post for an Instagram post about the TV news industry.

In the latest post, Begley appears in front of an empty fridge just like the original post, but this time she is wearing a crown.

Here is a portion of what Begley posted (full post below):

"No longer with KPRC — and for that, I’m truly grateful. Maybe you’ve read the headlines?

I believe in accountability. This conversation won’t be going away anytime soon. I’m dedicating at least a weekly series to this as I compete in the digital sales and marketing space with integrity. Higher quality, better value, lower price. 

I’m proving to you that I operate with integrity through my actions and the emails showing how hard I worked to bring positive impact to KPRC. I wouldn’t say it if I couldn’t prove it."

Begley writes that she is "not disagreeing with the separation" and then gives her response to the New York Post article about her original IG post (read below).  

This is the third on-air departure in two weeks for KPRC 2.  Reporters Robert Arnold and Gage Goulding left last week.

Begley joined KPRC 2 in 2024.

She arrived in Houston from KRON 4 in San Francisco, where she worked as a freelance meteorologist.

Before her move to the Bay Area, Begley spent four years at ABC10 KXTV in Sacramento, California, serving as an anchor, meteorologist, and reporter from 2018 to 2022. 

Earlier in her career, Begley held several roles within TEGNA-owned stations. She worked at WBNS 10 in Columbus, Ohio, as a traffic anchor and reporter after serving as a social media host and traffic reporter at WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina.

She also spent time at WDTN 2 in Dayton, Ohio, as a traffic reporter.

Begley attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and later expanded her weather expertise through studies in meteorology at Mississippi State University.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brittany Begley (@brittanycbegley)

Brittany Begley gets national coverage for TV industry criticisms

Brittany Begley was recently featured in the New York Post and the Daily Mail after writing an Instagram post about the TV industry, specifically the lack of Emmy awards for traffic reporting and the overall decline in standards.

UPDATE: Brittany Begley no longer with KPRC 2 Houston

The post was first featured by Scott Jones of FTVLive.

Begley now works as a weekend morning meteorologist for KPRC 2 in Houston. In fact, KPRC hasn't had a dedicated traffic person in years, but recently posted a morning traffic anchor job.

"KPRC is aware of the post," Sean McLaughlin, vice president and general manager of the Houston station, told The Post.

Begley was still performing her weather duties this weekend.

The coverage framed Begley's post as going after colleagues for normalizing “bad behavior,” but to me and others I've talked to, it's not clear that she is talking about her current KPRC colleagues, but actually ones from her past stations. 

It was a busy week for KPRC 2 as we saw departures from reporter Gage Goulding and longtime investigative reporter Robert Arnold.

Begley joined the KPRC 2 Houston weather team in early 2024, succeeding longtime Houston meteorologist Khambrel Marshall, who announced his retirement in November 2023 and officially signed off the following month.

Begley came to Houston from KRON 4 in San Francisco, where she had served as a freelance meteorologist since June 2022.

Before KRON, Begley spent four years at ABC10 KXTV in Sacramento, California, working as an anchor, meteorologist, and reporter from 2018 to 2022. During her time there, she covered a variety of weather events and delivered daily forecasts while contributing to news coverage.

Her broadcasting career included several stops within TEGNA stations. Prior to Sacramento, Begley worked at WBNS 10 in Columbus, Ohio, as a traffic anchor and reporter. Before that, she served as a social media host and traffic reporter at WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Between those roles, Begley also worked as a traffic reporter at WDTN 2 in Dayton, Ohio.

Begley attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and later continued her meteorology education through Mississippi State University.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brittany Begley (@brittanycbegley)

(Thanks, Bob and Gina)

 

TEGNA adding more than 100 hours of daily programming across 50+ markets

Tysons, Va. – TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) today announced that its stations will be significantly expanding their already substantial local news programming by launching live and on-demand, local newscasts from 7 to 9 a.m. daily in 50+ markets through streaming, connected TV apps, and station websites.

UPDATE
KHOU 11 adds new morning newscast on streaming

This unprecedented expansion of local news programming is designed to meet audiences’ growing demand for coverage of their communities wherever they want to watch and will deliver over 100 hours of daily breaking news, weather, and traffic to over 100 million viewers.

“Local news drives daily decisions,” said Adrienne Roark, chief content officer at TEGNA. “With the debut of our new programming, our audiences will now have the option to watch live news produced by their trusted stations during a time of day when local coverage has been largely unavailable. In addition to serving our viewers, it will also create new opportunities for our advertisers to reach audiences regardless of where they are and how they consume our content.”

Roark continued, “This content expansion reinforces our companywide commitment to local news and we’re confident that it will further strengthen our newsrooms, enhance the viewer experience, support our communities and deliver value to all stakeholders.”

TEGNA stations across the country, including KGW in Portland, Oregon, WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina, and WKYC in Cleveland, Ohio, began testing the live digital news stream in the 7 a.m. time slot earlier this year. In some markets, viewership increased by nearly 50 percent month-over-month, spiking even higher during severe weather or times of breaking news.

Stations in 35 markets will be actively delivering live, local programming from 7 to 9 a.m. this summer, with 50+ markets expected to have live, local programming in that window this fall.

To watch the local morning livestreams from 7-9 a.m. on your TEGNA station:

Viewers can download and open the TEGNA station Plus app on a streaming device such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or visit their local station’s website to access the live stream directly from a web browser. In select markets, this new programming will also be available on our secondary broadcast networks.

(Post taken from a release)

Brittany Begley joins KPRC 2

Brittany Begley is joining the KPRC 2 Houston weather team as the weekend morning meteorologist.

Khambrel Marshall announced his retirement in November 2023 officially signing off in December from that position.

"We are delighted to welcome Brittany Begley to the KPRC 2 family," said Bernice Kearney, News Director at KPRC 2. "Brittany approaches weather coverage through the prism of service to her community. Her passion, authenticity, and dedication to community service aligns perfectly with our core values at KPRC. She will be a marvelous addition to our team and will join our other meteorologists to provide unparalleled weather coverage and support to the Greater Houston area."

"And I’m so very grateful to play for team that aligns perfectly with my values, needs and goals," responded Begley on Facebook.  "It’s the secret to inner and outer happiness." 

She joins chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley, KPRC 2 News Today’s Anthony Yanez, and meteorologists Caroline Brown, Daji Aswad and Justin Stapleton.

Begley comes from KRON 4 San Francisco (see who left Houston for KRON), where she has been a freelance meteorologist since June 2022.

Called a “jack-of-all-trades” in her bio, there is truth to that as Begley was an anchor/meteorologist/reporter for ABC10 KXTV Sacramento, California, from 2018 to 2022.

KXTV is a TEGNA station, and so were Begley's previous stations, WBNS 10 Columbus, Ohio, where she was a traffic anchor/reporter, and WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was a social media host/traffic reporter.

In between the last two stations, Begley worked as a traffic reporter for WDTN 2 Dayton, Ohio.

She attended Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC, and Mississippi State University.

Aswad was the previously newly hired meteorologist for Channel 2's weather department.

Brooke Katz leaves CBS News Texas

Brooke Katz has apparently left her morning anchor position for CBS News Texas 11 KTVT Dallas-Fort Worth as her bio is no longer on the station's website as of November 2023.

Katz moved to the CBS 11 morning anchor job in January 2022 with Keith Russell after Karen Borta moved to later newscasts.  When she joined KTVT in 2019, Katz was the weekend anchor/reporter.

Before DFW Metroplex TV, Katz worked as the 4pm anchor for WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina. She previously anchored the noon show and was a morning anchor/traffic reporter.

Prior to WCNC, Katz was an anchor/traffic anchor/reporter for WHAS11 Louisville, Kentucky.

Katz started her TV journalism career with WCBD News 2 Charleston, South Carolina as a reporter/producer.

She is a Rutgers University grad with honors.

(Thanks John)

Ariel Plasencia joins FOX 13 Tampa Bay

Ariel Plasencia is leaving her multi-skilled journalist gig with WFAA 8 Dallas - Fort Worth for a reporter role with sunny FOX 13 Tampa Bay WTVT.

Here is a portion of what Plasencia posted on social about her WFAA departure:

"It's nearly impossible to sum up what four years at WFAA have meant to me so I'll just focus on my colleagues: Wow. What an AMAZING group of talented people. Thanks for welcoming this Chicagoan with open arms...for teaching me so many new skills...and for giving me the scoop on all the best taco spots." 

Plasencia joined WFAA in March 2019 from WCNC Charlotte.

She previously worked as a noon anchor/multimedia journalist with WITN 7 Eastern North Carolina.  Before that she was a sports MMJ with WUSA9  Washington, DC.

The Northwestern University grad has a bachelor’s degree in math and earned master’s degree in journalism at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. She interned with WUSA and Telemundo. 

Robert Dwyer named KCEN Waco, KAGS BCS President - GM

Tysons, Va. – TEGNA Inc. announced today that Robert Dwyer has been named president and general manager at KCEN KAGS, the NBC affiliates serving Temple, Waco, Killeen and Bryan-College Station in Central Texas, effective March 20, 2023. 

Dwyer will be responsible for overseeing the stations’ operations across all platforms, as well as leading community service efforts and driving results for advertisers.

Most recently, Dwyer was marketing director at WCNC in Charlotte, a position he’s held since 2019. 

At WCNC, Dwyer oversaw the station’s branding in the market and was instrumental in growing all dayparts in news, increasing digital video consumption, and building trust with audiences. 

Previously, Dwyer was director of marketing at WHNS in Greenville, where he led a team of marketing producers, digital media specialists and graphic designers and collaborated with content leaders to launch newscasts and grow the station’s audience across platforms. 

Earlier in his career, Dwyer was senior director of creative services for The Golf Channel, overseeing campaigns for PGA and LPGA tours, original content and documentaries. Dwyer began his career at a production house in Detroit.

“Rob’s experience and track record of growing content brands and collaborating across disciplines make him an excellent choice for Central Texas,” said Kristie Gonzales, vice president, media operations, TEGNA. “As a graduate of our TEGNA Executive Leadership Program and proven leader, Rob will help build the stations’ news capabilities, brands and community engagement efforts while also serving our local advertising clients.”

Dwyer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Television Production from Ferris State University. He and his family will be relocating to Temple from Charlotte.

(Taken from a TEGNA release)

Xavier Walton joins NewsNation

Xavier Walton left KHOU 11 Houston's weekend anchor position a few weeks ago and has already moved to Florida to join cable newser NewsNation as a Miami-based correspondent.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2022
Xavier Walton and Eden Checkol are engaged

Here is what Walton posted on social media:

"These last few weeks I’ve actually missed telling stories & covering news. Way more than expected! 

With that said, I’m getting back to work. This time around I’ll be taking on a new challenge. I’ve joined the team at @newsnationnow as a Miami-based correspondent. 

I’ve been in Chicago the last few days doing onboarding and getting to know some of my new coworkers. 

Excited for this new chapter & bringing an attitude of gratitude. Sky’s the limit"

And he is not the only former KHOU talent who joined the Nexstar Media Group channel.  Reporter Janel Forte signed on as NewsNation's Atlanta-based correspondent in spring of 2021. She left the Chicago-based cable news network in April 2022. 

Walton is now in the same city as his girlfriend WPLG Local 10 anchor Eden Checkol.

Joining KHOU 11 in September 2019 as an #HTownRush morning anchor, Walton moved to the weekend evening anchor/10pm weekday reporter shift in June 2021 when Kimberly Davis was hired.

He came from the weekend anchor/MMJ role at TEGNA sister-station WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina.

The native Californian graduated from California Lutheran University and got his first TV gig with KTWO 2 Casper, Wyoming where he was an evening anchor/reporter.

Xavier Walton leaves KHOU 11

Xavier Walton leaves KHOU 11 this week after three years with the Houston TEGNA station.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2022
Xavier Walton and Eden Checkol are engaged

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022
Xavier Walton joins NewsNation

Other than saying he will enjoy some time off with family, there is now word on his next move.

Here is a portion of what Walton posted on Facebook:

 

"It feels weird even writing this, but today is my last day at @khou11," Walton posted on Facebook. "I’ll be anchoring the 4 p.m. show alongside @rekhatv & @timpandajistv … Then reporting for the 10.  What a time to be alive. And a journalist! These last few years I’ve been all over the place, literally and figuratively. Proud to have been part of a station with a relentless spirit that really prides itself on doing ‘thoughtful journalism with an impact.’"

Walton was hired at KHOU 11 in September 2019 as a morning anchor back when the show was called #HTownRush.  It was at the time when now KPRC 2 anchor Lisa Hernandez left the channel 11 morning show. 

He left the show when anchor Kimberly Davis joined the KHOU morning newscast from KYW Philadelphia in June 2021.

Walton transitioned to the KHOU weekend anchor and 10pm reporter position were he has been ever since.

The native Californian came to Houston from WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina where he was a weekend anchor/MMJ.

He got his TV news start at KTWO Casper, Wyoming where he was an evening anchor/reporter.

The California Lutheran University grad interned with KUSA Denver and ABC6 WSYX Columbus, Ohio.

Texas TV news and radio job moves April 2022

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

Texas TV stations winning awards

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Tony Russell joins 95.9 The Ranch KFWR mornings.

Greg Fields celebrates 24 years at WFAA 8.

Brittany Bowen joins D210SPORTS as lead reporter for the Dallas Cowboys.

Partnership with WFAA Turns Frowns Upside Down for FastNewSmile.

Briahn Hawkins joins the WFAA 8 web team from KHOU 11.

Drew Anderssen moves to KRLD-AM As PD.

Former DFW radio host pleads guilty to sexually assaulting 17-year-old girl.

Drew Barrymore plays Texas city name game
Nicole Baker joining CBS 11 DFW KTVT
Dominic Brown joins CBS DFW KTVT
Who is who on CBS 11 DFW mornings?

HOUSTON

Former KPRC anchor Dominique Sachse talks about leaving TV and her new book ‘Life Makeover.’

Miles Cathey retires from his KHOU 11 Director of Sales & Marketing role after 23 years and 40 years overall in the TV businesses.

Retired Houston Chronicle sports columnist John McClain has been added to the Houston Texans Wall of Fame.

Houston Chronicle investigative reporter Jay Root is joining the New York Times as an Albany statehouse reporter. 

Former KPRC 2 reporter Maryanne Martinez  joins the New York Post as a Dallas-based reporter.

Houston Public Media deletes video created ‘in partnership’ with Chevron after facing backlash, accusations of bias.

Jen Rice joins Houston Chronicle as Harris County reporter form Houston Public Media News 88.7 KUHF.

Travis Moon Named OM, CMG Houston.

Tiffany Craig celebrates 12 years with KHOU 11.

Former KHOU 11 EP Perry Pace joins WOI Des Moines, IA from WTHR Indianapolis.

KPRC2+ morning stream launches April 4, 2022
David González leaves KHOU 11
Janet Bolívar joins Telemundo62 Philadelphia
Dominique Sachse returns to KPRC on "Houston Life"
KHOU 11 studio set upgrades 2022
Star Harvey leaves CW39 Houston
93.7 The Beat and Mostyn Law Award $15,000 to Houston students
Paul Martin Named as Hope Media Group Chief of Development
Katherine Whaley is pregnant
Adrienne Vonn joins FOX 26
Mr. Leonard is back in Houston
Texas Radio Hall of Fame launches scholarship program
Star Harvey joins PIX11 News WPIX New York
David González joins ABC7 KABC Los Angeles
2022 Media Alliance of Houston Star Awards winners
Steve Campion leaves abc13 KTRK
Shara Fryer and Randy Wallace honored
Dominique Sachse appears on "Extra"
Maggie Flecknoe is pregnant
Ari Alexander is married
KPRC 2 and Texas media National Headliner Award winners
Rowdy Yates debuts syndicated afternoon drive show
Dr. Jim Siebert joins WeatherNation
David Paul + Dean and Rog celebrate 25 years
Samica Knight's birthday prank

SAN ANTONIO

Everything comes up sunny for KENS TV weatherman Bill Taylor.

Former WOAI-TV anchor Delaine Mathieu talks real estate, family, life after news.

Meteorologist Sarah Spivey celebrates five years at KSAT 12.

Alanna Sarabia is pregnant
Jordan Elder joins WOAI - KABB San Antonio
Steve Spriester knighted!
Joe Galli leaves New 4 San Antonio WOAI - FOX 29 KABB
Isis Romero joins KENS San Antonio
Vanessa Martin leaves FOX 29 and News 4 San Antonio

AUSTIN

KVUE morning reporter Conner Board moves from the Daybreak morning news to the evening newscasts. Weekend morning anchor Dominique Newland moves from evenings to mornings.

Waterloo Media returns dance music format to HD Radio with launch of “The Party” 93.3 KGSR-HD3.

KOKE/Austin Releases 'KOKEFest 2022' Lineup.

Pew Study – Texas Loses Largest Number of State Capitol Reporters.

The Texas Tribune, trying to be less “Austin-centric,” will expand into regional coverage.

Gabrielle Muñoz joins Texas Standard as managing editor.

Jordan Darensbourg joins KVUE Austin
Kaitlyn Karmout leaves KXAN Austin
Jake García joins KING 5 Seattle
Matt Fernandez joins KVUE Austin
2022 Austin Alliance for Women in Media winners
Natalie Haddad joins KVUE Austin

AROUND TEXAS

Release of Police Department “Body Cam” Footage Remains an Issue for Texas Newsrooms.

KAVU anchor Don Brubaker honored for serving on the board of The Salvation Army in Victoria for 18 years.

Phil Mayer leaves KAMC / KLBK Lubbock sports to work the web for KRON 4 San Francisco. 

Jason Britsch leaves KAMR Local 4 News Amarillo as morning anchor to become a Business Services Specialist at Workforce Solutions.

Andrés Chaparro leaves KXXV 25 Waco/Temple/Killen and KRHD Bryan for WSFL Miami.

Robbie Mack Joins Candy 95 As PD/Afternoon Host.

Cumulus Media Appoints Steve Rixx as Program Director for Beaumont’s Heritage Country Radio Station 101.7 KAYD-FM

KNET Palestine Flips To Classic Hits.

Texas Station HAPPY RADIO 92.5 KKHA Markham, TX 'Happy' To Be Sold.

Marfa Public Radio’s introduces weekly Spanish newscast: un noticiero semanal en español.

Sharon Mayo Parker, a former KWTX 10 Waco, has been named the first African American female general manager in the history of Six Flags.

KTSM 9 El Paso makes big anchor changes
Jarell Baker promoted to KXXV weekend morning anchor
Mikayla Smith joins FOX23 News KOKI Tulsa
Chris Rogers joins 10 Tampa Bay WTSP
Farrah Walton new KTXS Abilene weeknight anchor
Niki Lattarulo joins WSMV 4 Nashville
Adam Seibel promoted to KAVU weekend anchor
Stan Smith joins KAMC News 28 Lubbock
Austin Walker joins WCNC Charlotte
Ashley Carter joins KCEN 6 Waco
KCEN 6 debuts first African American all female anchor team

REMEMBERING

Shatanya Clarke, the weekend anchor for KFDX 3 and Texoma’s FOX KJTL Wichita Falls, has died at the age of 27.

Austin Walker joins WCNC Charlotte

Austin Walker is joining WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina from KXXV 25 Waco/Temple/Killeen where he was a multi-media journalist (MMJ).

"I’m so excited to work with such talented journalists & can’t wait for what’s in store in the Queen City," Walker tweeted.

Walker came to KXXV in June 2021 from KVOA News 4 Tucson, Arizona where he was a reporter. 

The North Texas raised Walker tweeted, that as someone who battles depression and anxiety, he was at the lowest point of his life while in Arizona. 

"Thank you to everyone who helped me learn to love this part of myself, again," Walker tweeted.  "I’m so grateful."

As a student, the University of Missouri School of Journalism grad worked at the university-owned KOMU 8 News as an anchor and reporter.

Life update!☀️🚨
I feel so incredibly blessed to announce I’ll be joining the team at @wcnc in Charlotte, NC!

I’m so excited to work with such talented journalists & can’t wait for what’s in store in the Queen City!

Today is my last day at @25NewsKXXV. Waco, I am so grateful! pic.twitter.com/gGUfAXPgiu

— Austin Walker TV (@AustinCWalker) April 1, 2022

Fmr. Houston TV producer talks hyperlocal news

Adam Darsky has risen from NBC 5 KXAS to abc13 KTRK, to WCNC Charlotte to WABC New York and beyond.  

Darsky has jumped from broadcasting to hyperlocal news websites with a company called TapInto where he is Director of Content.

A great conversation about the state of TV and newspaper news, and what could be the future.

RELATED
Former KPRC reporter talks "Disrupting The News"

Xavier Walton now KHOU 11 weekend anchor

When Kimberly Davis joined the KHOU 11 HTownRush morning crew as an anchor this summer from KYW Philadelphia, Xavier Walton seemed to just disappear from the AM show named after a hashtag.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022
Xavier Walton joins NewsNation

UPDATE AUGUST 31, 2022
Xavier Walton leaves KHOU 11

At the time, he told viewers on social media that he was moving schedules.

Now, Walton's bio has been changed to note he is a weekend anchor for the TEGNA Houston station.

Walton joined the KHOU morning newscast back in 2019 from the weekend anchor chair at WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina. He took over AM duties from Lisa Hernandez (now at KPRC 2) and Russ Lewis (now retired).

So does that mean anchor Ron Treviño is off weekends and officially the 4pm news anchor? 

While Treviño's bio has not been changed from saying weekend anchor, and none of his social bios say anything about the 4pm news, it seems that weekday newscast with Rekha Muddaraj seems like a comfortable spot for the longtime channel 11 anchor at the moment!

There are KHOU viewers who still come on my social comments to complain about Treviño and Lily Jang leaving the morning newscast back in 2016. 

Xavier Walton starting on KHOU Monday with a possible surprise

New KHOU 11 #HTownRush morning anchor Xavier Walton says he is starting this Monday, but may make a surprise appearance ahead of time

When I was looking around for information concerning Lisa Hernandez being absent from KHOU 11's airwaves, I stumbled on some info about her successor on the morning newscast #HTownRush.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022
Xavier Walton joins NewsNation

In early August, KHOU told me Xavier Walton was joining the TEGNA station as morning anchor from sister-station WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina.

Well Walton is in the channel 11 building now, learning their systems and shooting promos, according to his Facebook page...he even tried Whataburger.

Unfortunately Imelda will prepare him for life as a journalist in Houston.

Walton commented that he's starting on the morning show next Monday, but may make a "surprise appearance on the show Friday."

"We are excited to have him on board," KHOU president and general manager, Robert Springer, told mikemcguff.com in early August.

Springer added that Walton wants to move to Houston, not only to anchor, but to make the city a better place to live through his community involvement.

RELATED
KBMT Beaumont broadcasting from KHOU due to flooding

Xavier Walton joins KHOU as morning anchor; Lisa Hernandez moves

Xavier Walton joins KHOU as morning anchor from WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina; Lisa Hernandez moves to weekend evenings

KHOU 11 has hired WCNC (TEGNA) Charlotte, North Carolina, weekend anchor Xavier Walton as its new #HTownRush morning anchor.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022
Xavier Walton joins NewsNation

UPDATE AUGUST 31, 2022
Xavier Walton leaves KHOU 11

"We are excited to have him on board," KHOU president and general manager, Robert Springer, told mikemcguff.com.

Springer adds that Walton wants to move to Houston, to not only report the news, but also to make it a better place to live through his community involvement.

Here is Walton's TV news career highlight reel:

WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina Area
Anchor/ Multimedia Journalist
June 2015 – 2019

KTWO Casper, Wyoming Area
Evening Anchor/Reporter
June 2012 – June 2015

KUSA Denver
News Intern
June 2011 – August 2011

WSYX-ABC6 Columbus, Ohio
Intern
June 2010 – August 2010

According to his bio, Walton graduated from California Lutheran University and even played on the basketball team. He was the starting point-guard three out of the four years he played.

Walton will join the Houston CBS affiliate in mid-September.


When I keep writing about the name "Walton" in connection with the KHOU morning show, it takes me back to the days when Johnathan Walton worked those hours!

With the new Walton's arrival, comes the move of current #HTownRush anchor Lisa Hernandez.

Hernandez will be moving to weekend evenings alongside Ron Trevino who currently anchors alone in that time slot. Trevino will continue to solo anchor the Saturday morning news.

Springer tells me the station is working to expand its weekend coverage with Hernandez's addition.

In 2011, Hernandez arrived to channel 11 and Houston from abc7 KABC Los Angeles to replace Lucy Noland on the evening shift.

She might be in TV now, but Hernandez started freelancing for the LA Times while earning a political science degree at UCLA. Upon graduation in 2001, she refocused her career on TV news starting at KESQ Palm Springs. From there she went across the country to Charlotte, North Carolina's News 14 as a reporter and then returning to California joining KABC in 2004.

In 2016, Hernandez swapped the PM shift for the AM hours and became the station's morning anchor, replacing Lily Jang, with newly hired Russ Lewis who came from KGW Portland.

A few months ago in early June, Lewis left mornings for KHOU's revamped 4pm newscast.

KHOU selling building, WFAA shows how it is helping Houston

Last night, KHOU 11 announced it was selling its studios on Allen Parkway.

This after the station was flooded thanks to Hurricane Harvey.

(- VIDEO: Summary of KHOU 11 studio flooding Harvey)

The station is not saying who is buying the building or how much it is selling for.

My guess is that a built up, tall building, could go there and survive a flooding event.

Last November, KHOU announced it was moving.

KHOU reports that the search for a new building could be ending soon.

In the meantime, the TEGNA owned station plans to stay at its temporary home at Houston Public Media on the University of Houston campus until the end of this year.

(- Brandi Smith and the viral storm)

Since we are talking KHOU's tragic flooding, let's focus on the inexorable quality the station has to stay on the air, an invasion of water or not.

Dallas TEGNA sister-station WFAA posted a video (embedded above) that shows how it helped KHOU keep informing Houston during the Hurricane.

The video also chronicles how the DFW station helped the Houston station get back on the air and continue broadcasting.

TEGNA opened up a KHOU control room at its Dallas station and brought in employees from across the nation to operate it.

Why in the video do I spy Ned Hibberd (former FOX 26 anchor) now of TEGNA's WCNC NBC Charlotte?

So KHOU is sending its temporary studio signal and all of its live shots to the Metroplex where WFAA puts it together and sends the broadcast back to KHOU's Houston transmitter.

Now that is some corporate teamwork.

RELATED
- KHOU 11 opening downtown Houston studios
- Dan Rather's words of encouragement for KHOU

Former Houston journalists return to TV for Harvey coverage

Mike McGuff talking to presenters Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh.

It was all hands on deck for the international, national and other local news media to find Houston journalists to help cover Hurricane Harvey. There were also the sister-station relief crews needed to fill-in on our Houston TV stations.

Here is a list of the former Houston journalists who were called back from the reserves to help out. If you know of others, please email me.

I was hired by UK Network ITV to report live for its Good Morning Britain program through out last week. One of the show's presenters (a term for anchor in the England) Americans will recognize is former CNN host Piers Morgan.

Former KHOU 11 anchor Lily Jang reported for KXAS NBC 5 in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Former KTRK abc13 and ESPN reporter Darren Lyn was tapped to report for TRT World.

Michelle Merhar returned to FOX 26 KRIV to help out on traffic anchor duty.

Doug Miller returned to KHOU 11 and made an appearance to talk hurricanes.

Former KPRC 2 reporter Brendan Keefe, now WXIA Atlanta Chief Investigative Reporter, returned to Houston to help out TEGNA sister station KHOU as a reporter. "Houston gets in your heart and doesn't want to leave," Keefe told me. "I volunteered when I saw my friends at KHOU working so hard without a TV station."

Former KHOU 11 reporter Courtney Zubowski worked for CBS News as a field producer.

Former FOX 26 KRIV reporter Todd Duplantis, now the Director of HCC TV Communications, did live reporting for WFTS Tampa Bay, Florida's ABC Action News.

KFSN Fresno reporter Corin Hoggard, returns to his old station of KTRK abc13 where he was a producer, to help with Harvey coverage.

Dr. Neil Frank made his usual return to KHOU 11 when there is trouble in the tropics.

KXAS NBC5's Courtney Gilmore returned from DFW to KPRC to help cover the storm.

Former KIKK and CBS Radio news reporter Derrill Edward Holly did an interview with the Associated Press broadcast and energy news podcast.

Former FOX 26 KRIV contributor Bob Martin has returned to make appearances on channel 26 and KTRK abc13.

Former FOX 26 KRIV reporter Ned Hibberd, now WCNC Charlotte executive producer of investigations and special projects, has been working for KHOU remotely via WFAA in Dallas.

Texas TV & radio job moves June 2016

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

WFAA8 losing reporter Mike Castellucci -- for second time.

After a three-year stay, weekend meteorologist Ashton Altieri is leaving Dallas-based WFAA 8.

Splitting up: NBC5 and consumer-investigative reporter Deanna Dewberry.

Yona Gavino is CBS11 KTVT's newest reporter.

Melissa Harrison joins Mike Rogers and Scott Sams as co-anchor of the KRLD Morning News.

HOUSTON

David Herrera has left KAKW Univision 62 Austin to join sister station KXLN Univision 45 Houston.

Rich Pangilinan Joins KKHH (Hot 95.7)/Houston As APD/MD, CoCo Dominguez Takes Over Afternoon Drive.

After many years in Houston at stations like KPRC 2, KTRK abc13 and KIAH 39, design director Dennis Garcia joins WSMV in Nashville.

Millie Cardenas-Quintanilla is new Telemundo Houston KTMD Assignment Manager.

After writing about personal computing and tech since 1993, Dwight Silverman stops his Tech Blog to focus on his new job as Houston Chronicle Senior Web Producer for Premium Products.

Rowdy Yates Brings Country Gold To KTHT Houston.

Houston newsroom veteran Melissa Lanford has left her managing editor role at KPRC 2. Maryanne Hubbard takes her place from KUSA Denver.

I hear longtime FOX 26 KRIV photographer Eckhart von Ellenrieder is heading off to San Francisco.

Jeanne Lyons Davis Joins Houstonia Staff.

Coordinating Producer Heather Itzen is leaving KHOU 11's Great Day Houston for the new KPRC 2 lifestyle show.

Sheryl Grigsby, who spent the last decade with Cox Media Group as an Account Manager, is the new General Manager for True Blue Media.

- KHOU 11 makes major anchor changes
- Deborah Wrigley exits KTRK abc13
- KPRC 2 ND Rhonda LaVelle heading to WXYZ Detroit
- Pablo Alsina leaves KHOU 11 sports
- Jack Williams leaves 88.7 KUHF & Houston
- Courtney Perna departs KHOU 11
- 'The Buzz Lady' Roseann Rogers checks in for K9s4COPs
- Russ Lewis joins KHOU 11 as promised
- Ned Hibberd joins WCNC NBC Charlotte


SAN ANTONIO

After 20 years in television and 12 as an on-air staple of KENS-TV lifestyle show, "Great Day SA," Eileen Teves is leaving broadcasting to start a new career.

Great Day SA executive producer Kinya Cano, a 10-year veteran of KENS-TV, will leave San Antonio next month for a new gig with EyeOpener in Dallas.

'Joe Pags' Pagliarulo Inks Extension With iHeartMedia's WOAI/San Antonio, KPRC/Houston.

Don Smith, Director of Creative Services at KOVR/KMAX Sacramento, will be the new Director of Marketing for KENS-TV.

Radio icon Bruce Hathaway recovering from back surgery.

AUSTIN

Adam Winkler, KEYE’s weekend sports anchor for the past six years, is heading for Norfolk, Va., where he’ll be sports director at CBS affiliate WTKR.

After four years, KVUE’s investigative reporter Andy Pierrotti has accepted a similar position at WXIA Atlanta.

KRGV Rio Grande Valley investigative reporter Erica Proffer joins KVUE.

TEGNA named Kristie Gonzales president and general manager of KVUE. Gonzales will replace Patti Smith, who is retiring at the end of June.

KXAN's Lindsay Bramson is the new Investigative Reporter for WSMV News Channel 4 in Nashville.

AROUND TEXAS

Reporter Risa Morris leaves KYTX CBS 19 Tyler for WBBH Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida.

KVIA ABC-7 investigative journalist Ashlie Rodriguez is now the weekend anchor and weekday reporter for San Diego's KUSI.

Lubbock reporter/anchor Monica Yantosh jumps across the street to KAMC from KLBK.

KFDX Wichita Falls Morning Anchor/Reporter Jon Hansen leaves to become the Evening News Anchor/Reporter at KLBK Lubbock.

KLBK Reporter/MMJ Robin Deehan is the new Weekend Sports Anchor & Sports Reporter for WBRE/WYOU in Northeastern & Central Pennsylvania.

KAMC Lubbock Morning News Anchor Rachel Spangenthal is now NBC33-FOX44 Reporter/Anchor in Baton Rouge.

Longtime Denver anchor Mike Landess will return from KYTX Tyler to anchor a new 4 p.m. newscast at KWGN.

- Oscar E. Garcia named KIII Corpus Christi News Director

REMEMBERING

Former 101 KLOL and Country Legends 97.1 KTHT personality Thomas E. ‘Tubby’ Lawler III died in early June after a battle with cancer.

San Antonio public TV pioneer Joanne Winik dies.

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RELATED
- Texas TV & radio job moves May 2016
- Texas TV & radio job moves April 2016
- Texas TV & radio job moves March 2016
- Texas TV & radio job moves February 2016
- Texas TV & radio job moves January 2016
- Texas TV & radio job moves December 2015
- All the new and disappearing faces on Houston TV screens in 2015

Ned Hibberd joins WCNC NBC Charlotte

Former FOX 26 KRIV reporter/anchor Ned Hibberd joins WCNC NBC Charlotte


Former longtime FOX 26 KRIV reporter and weekend anchor, Ned Hibberd, is leaving his post-Houston gig as assistant news director at Fox Charlotte WJZY-WMYT after two years and some change.

His next move is across the street as they say.

That's because Hibberd is heading to WCNC as the new executive producer of investigations and special projects.

As I wrote before, Hibberd was at KRIV for nearly 25 years where he started as an intern.

The Rice grad worked as a production crew member, assignments editor, associate producer, investigative reporter, fill-in anchor and general assignments reporter.

His first day at WCNC will be June 23rd.




RELATED
VIEW: Fox 26's Ned Hibberd's goodbye party: The photos!
WATCH: Ned Hibberd says goodbye to Fox 26 KRIV & Houston (VIDEO)