Dave Ward's funeral service was a touching tribute to a Houston icon

ABC13 Houston KTRK Anchor Emeritus Dave Ward was laid to rest today, starting with his funeral service at St. Martin's Episcopal Church on Sage. 

Ward, 86, died Saturday evening after several years battling medical challenges culminating in a bout of pneumonia.

I was asked to be an honorary pallbearer for the service, which meant a lot to me.

Many in the crowd felt this day marked the end of an era for television news, but even amid the sadness, the palpable celebration of a man who had impacted Houston in so many ways was evident.

The touching ceremony began with biblical readings from his stepdaughters, Rachelle Rowe and Corey Flores, with an additional reading from his granddaughter, Sarah Heatley.

Three emotional eulogies were offered by friends of Ward's who all saw a different side of the iconic Houston journalist: Dave Strickland, his former producer and eventual news director; Jim McGrath, his biography's co-author; and restaurant magnate, Houston Rockets owner, and current United States Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta.

A surprise recording Ward made a year ago played through the church's speakers as the anchor's last goodbye. Hearing that familiar booming voice echo through the sanctuary was as close to an in-person goodbye as attendees could get.

The white gloved pallbearers were Dr. Mohammed Attar, Jim McGrath, Jeff Bagwell, Jim McInvale, Gary Becker, Dan Pastorini, Anthony Buzbee, Dave Strickland, Tilman Fertitta, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

Honorary pallbearers included Tom Abrahams, Ted Oberg, Mike McGuff, Elvin Bethea, John Mubarak, Wayne Dolcefino, Don Nelson, Tony Gracely, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Tim Heller, Dr. Tom Sawyer, Bob Jackson, Justin Sternberg, Don Kobos, Bob Slovak, and Tom Koch. 

The Rev. Dane E. Boston and The Rev. Lisa R. Neilson oversaw the funeral.

The funeral was aired live on Channel 13 and live-streamed on ABC13+. You can watch the service with the additional KTRK coverage here.

- Dave Ward honored at ABC13 and Crime Stoppers

KFDM 6 Beaumont anchors: Where are they now?

KFDM 6 Beaumont just moved into its new studios, and is looking back to its past of 69 years to see where some of its previous anchors have gone to. 

Weeknight anchor Aaron Drawhorn interviewed some of the previous anchors, meteorologists, and hosts that made up the station's past.

"And there was just a culture about KFDM television that you just assimilated and you learned and you...you fit in. And we were able to attract great talent," former anchor and general manager from 1974 to 2011 Larry Beaulieu said in the report. "KFDM had a reputation. It was a...had some of the highest news shares of any television station in the United States."

Other on-air KFDM talents included:

Cecile Burandt 

Albert Zipp

Sally Rieger (anchor 1984 to 1997)

Meteorologist Bob French (went on to KBTX 3 Bryan - College Station)

Leeza Gibbons PM Magazine host 1979 to 1980 (went to Entertainment Tonight)

Kerry Andersen (anchor 1994 to 1996)

Bill Leger

Liz Wiggins (anchor 1995 to 2002)

Jackie Simien (anchor 1994 to 2007)

Kelli Phillips (anchor 2002 to 2015 went on to Texas Country Reporter)

Scott Lawrence (anchor 1985 to 1988, now a KFDM Executive Producer)

And look what I found on this old Facebook post! It features ABC13 KTRK Houston's Bob Slovak from his time at KFDM.

Texas TV news and radio job moves July 2022

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

Best TV News Bloopers July 2022

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Sarah Blaskovich celebrates 10 years with the Dallas Morning News as food writer.

- Laurie Passman steps down as CBS DFW KTVT news director
- Spectrum News 1 Texas to simulcast on 55 KAZD DFW
- Collin Myers joins CBS 'NOW' out of DFW
- David Schechter leaves WFAA 8 Dallas 
- David Schechter joins CBS
- Pete Delkus makes big announcement on WFAA?
- CBS 11 DFW morning crew dives into "Little Miss" meme

HOUSTON

Eureka, California’s KEKA 101.5 (and companion translator in Arcata at 100.9) are the latest radio stations to carry “The Rowdy Ride Home” from Suite Radio.  The custom-crafted afternoon drive radio show from host Rowdy Yates celebrates it’s 6th signal since launching in late May.

Michael Lindenberger leaves the Houston Chronicle to become the Vice President and Editorial Editor for the Kansas City Star.

abc13 photojournalist/story-teller Andre Dorsey celebrates 35 years with the station.

KSBJ traffic reporter Bill Ingram honored for 25 years of service with “Mr Bill Bobblehead.” 

Anchor Andy Cerota celebrates 10 years with KPRC 2 (19 years in Houston).

KPRC 2 assistant news director Aaron Wische celebrates a decade with the station.

Keaton Fox found the courage to come out publicly with the support of ABC 13.

Allen Reid joins Harmony Public Schools after 25 years with KPRC 2 as sports photographer.

Jason Youngblood returns to KPRC 2 as a photographer from CW39 KIAH.

Nancy Meyer makes history as the new head of the Houston Chronicle.

Jon Sullivan has left the Houston iHeart cluster after 25 years where he was the market's online content director, overseeing all websites. More info at jonsullivan.net.

Sam Houston State University’s Marketing and Communications team has won 14 Telly Awards.

- Daniella Guzman rescues 'Luna' kitten while on live shot in San Antonio
- Ginger Zee live in Houston
- Dominique Sachse: "Watch My Life in Looks | How My Fashion Style Evolved"
- Lights go out during Travis Herzog's weather segment
- Don Nelson recounts abc13 days with Dave Ward
- Ron Treviño celebrates 40 years at KHOU 11
- Carlos Aguiar leaves KSBJ afternoons
- House 2 Home with Lily Jang
- Jose Griñan celebrates 70th birthday
- Jerry Martin retires from KPRC 2 GM position
- Bob Slovak returns to abc13 in a non-sports role
- KHOU 11 promo 1970s
- Melissa Correa leaves KHOU 11

SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio Current names KENS 5's Isis Romero as best new anchor and Bill Taylor best meteorologist for 2022.

KENS 5's Sarah Forgany updates whereabouts after going dark on social media.

Monica Nino becomes new assistant news director for KENS 5.

- Marina Neuman joins WSVN 7 Miami
- Chase Shannon leaves News 4 SA WOAI and FOX 29

AUSTIN

Why KVUE and the Austin American-Statesman released video of the Uvalde school shooting.

Kailey E. Hunt joins KUT Austin as a reporter covering Williamson County.

Austin PBS opens new facility in former Dillards department store.

KLZT-HD2-K274AX/Austin Flips To Sports As 102.7 ESPN Austin.

- Cory Mose joins KVUE Austin
- Austin TV anchor does the weather
- Daniel Marin replaces retiring Robert Hadlock at KXAN Austin
- KXAN Austin debuts 4pm newscast
- Adaleigh Rowe joins FOX 7 Austin
- Hunter Williams is engaged
- Central Texas TV has love in the air
- Erika Lopez does KVUE weather with baby Odie
- Alex Stockwell gives birth
- Robert Hadlock signs off KXAN Austin

AROUND TEXAS

Chris Babcock named new KTSM El Paso news director.

Josh Guevara Manager KVFE Del Rio, TX interview.

Laci Caviness On-Air Host KVNE Tyler, TX interview.

KORA-FM/Bryan-College Station, TX Names Keith James 'Fish' PD/PM Drive Host.

- Kate Bieri joins FOX13 Memphis
- Rudy Mireles promoted to KRGV evening anchor
- Garrett Hottle moves to KRHD Bryan evening anchor
- Baylee Bates joins KCEN Waco weekends
- Breanna Molloy is pregnant
- A’Darius McCormick joins KAVU Victoria
- Lubbock co-anchors are the same age
- Tylisa Hampton leaves KVEO for KARK 4 Little Rock, AR
- Sydney Gray leaves NBC 23 KVEO Rio Grande Valley
- Faith Woodard leaves CBS4 Harlingen
- Texas TV live shot ends up in pool!

REMEMBERING

Former KTRK ND Rehan Aslam dies after battle with brain cancer.

John Aielli, longtime Austin radio host, dies at 76.

Bob Slovak returns to abc13 in a non-sports role

Bob Slovak is returning to abc13 KTRK Houston, but this time, it won't be in the sports department where he worked for more than two decades until 2020.

Here is what Slovak posted on Facebook:

"Big news to share… I’ve started my new job at ABC13 Houston. I’ve been hired as a Reporter/Content Creator in ABC13 Houston Programming/ Special Projects Department. 

I’m so excited to be back with the incredibly talented team.  

I’ll be working on the ABC13 Localish series as well as Big Events and Special Projects. Super pumped about this opportunity, can’t wait to tell your story. If you see me out and about please come up and say hello. #blessed"

The former KTRK weekend sports anchor/reporter left the station in September 2020 which he blamed on pandemic cuts.

Slovak joined channel 13 Houston back as a reporter in 1998 along side Bob Allen and Tim Melton.

He took over as weekend sports anchor in 2013, when Melton suffered a stroke.

The Stephen F. Austin University grad previously worked for ABC15 KNXV Phoenix, News on 6 KOTV Tulsa, KFDM Beaumont and KTEN 10 Sherman.

In between his times at abc13, Slovak did play by play for high school games on the old KUBE 57.  He also served as a University of Houston's Jack J. Valenti School of Communication adjunct professor.

Art Rascon to leave abc13 KTRK

Art Rascon, the longtime anchor of Live at 5 and the abc13 KTRK 11am newscast with Melanie Lawson, has announced he is leaving the Disney owned television station at the end of the year after around 36 years in the TV news business.

UPDATE JANUARY 2022
Art Rascon video tributes, plus anchoring with his son, Jacob, video

ANNOUNCED THE SAME DAY
- Jacob Rascon moves to abc13 KTRK after KPRC 2
- Dominique Sachse to leave KPRC 2

abc13 KTRK departures blogged this week
- Marla Carter leaving abc13 KTRK
- Cory McGinnis exits abc13 KTRK

Sources tell mikemcguff.com that this is Rascon's decision, and he is ready to move on to new things. Plus, he will now have more time to serve the Houston community.

International reporting at abc13

Rascon, who has been with channel 13 since September of 1998, is known for his international reporting (which has taken him to more than 70 countries), just as much as his daily anchoring.  In fact, I would venture to say that Rascon enjoyed reporting more than sitting behind the anchor desk everyday.

“I remember watching the close of the Vietnam War on television," Rascon told Y Magazine in 2016.  "We only had three channels and we had the rabbit ears on the television. I had to sit there and hold them for my dad so he could watch the television [and] it didn’t break up. I remember telling myself, ‘I think I want to be one of these guys.’ I had such a curiosity of the world—I wanted to report on it and see the faces and recognize more fully these stories.”

You couldn't mention Rascon's career without talking about his coverage of the wars in such places as Iraq, other parts of the Middle East and Central America. When 9/11 happened, Rascon and a photographer were on the road to report live from Ground Zero at the World Trade Center site. 

Houston is a big market, but most anchors aren't jumping on planes at the signs of strife occur somewhere around the globe like Rascon.  I always thought the need to be reporting in what most journalists would consider "dangerous situations" is in his blood. While one anchor might be reporting on the latest diet trends for the sweeps ratings months, Rascon could be doing a story that resulted in him being detained by soldiers while in another country. In fact, Rascon found himself facing down a barrel of a gun numerous time in his career.  

“I’ve had four machine guns pulled on my head, but in each case, I have felt an overwhelming sense of calm and assurance that everything is going to be okay," Rascon told Y Magazine.  "What calms my heart more than anything else is prayer and a knowledge of God’s love, not only for the people I’m covering, but for me to be guided as well. We’re in the heat of a battle, but I have never felt nervous for my life.”

In addition to reporting from battlefields, Rascon has covered hurricanes such as Katrina and Ike all the way to the tsunami in Indonesia. In one report a couple of decades ago, he smuggled himself into the country. 

Rascon as a CBS News Correspondent

How does a Houston TV anchor know how to report from hotspots around the world?  

In Rascon's case, he learned at the network level.  Before joining channel 13, he was a CBS News correspondent. According to his bio, at the network, Rascon covered such stories as the Oklahoma City bombing, civil unrest in Haiti, guerrilla wars in Mexico, and a hostage standoff in Peru.

Rascon's earlier career at KABC LA and Texas TV stations

Prior to CBS News, Rascon was a reporter for KTRK's Los Angeles sister-station KABC ABC7 from 1989 to 1994. In LA, Rascon covered everything from the O.J. Simpson trial, the Rodney King trial, the Menendez trial, earthquakes, riots to travelling to cover the Branch Davidian stand-off near Waco. 

Speaking of Texas, the El Paso native, reported for several television stations in the Lone Star State before heading to California:  

- KMOL 4 (which today is known as News 4 San Antonio WOAI)  

- KVIA El Paso

- KRBC Abilene 

Rascon's awards and recognitions

Reporting from five continents has earned Rascon 27 EMMY nominations with 20 wins.  And according to his bio, he also earned two Edward R. Murrow awards, three National Association of Hispanic Journalists' awards, the International Rotary Club award, two Headliner Awards, the RTNDA Award, 15 Associated Press Reporting awards, and more than a dozen outstanding reporting awards from Press Clubs in Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston. He was also named "100 most influential Hispanics in America" by the National Hispanic Business Magazine.

“I practically flunked out of English. I was not a good reader," Rascon told Y Magazine. "I was not a good speaker. I certainly couldn’t carry a story. I was not a good writer at all. My English instructor in high school said, ‘You need to find something you can actually do. You can’t do this.’ Everything that you think a reporter should be, I was the opposite. But now I’ve won Emmys in writing. I attribute my success to understanding that God is going to make much more out of my life than I could ever possibly make of myself.”

Personal life outside of TV

Journalism flows through Rascon's family.  Houston TV viewers know his son Jacob Rascon from his time at KPRC and NBC News, but his brother Dan and son Matt also both work at KSL in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Outside of broadcasting, Rascon and his wife, Patti Rascon, have raised seven children. 

The Brigham Young University graduate is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In April 4, 2020, Rascon was sustained as an Area Seventy for the church.  He serves 12 states.

“The Spirit has influenced my work in every degree imaginable, from saving my life to pointing me in directions that would provide safety and reassurance," Rascon told Y Magazine.

abc13 KTRK Houston on-air staffer departures in last year (since September 2020) :

- Marla Carter leaving abc13 KTRK
- Cory McGinnis exits abc13 KTRK
- Steven Romo leaves abc13 KTRK
- David Nuño leaves abc13 KTRK for TexAgs
- Rehan Aslam leaving KTRK for WABC
- Katherine Whaley leaves abc13 KTRK
- Chelsey Hernandez leaves abc13 KTRK
- Tom Koch retiring from abc13 KTRK
- Deborah Wrigley to leave abc13 KTRK
- Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK
- Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK

Collin Myers appears on FOX 26 Houston weather

Collin Myers, the former abc13 KTRK meteorologist, has resurfaced this weekend on FOX 26 KRIV's weather wall.

UPDATE MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021
Lena Maria Arango joins FOX 26 KRIV

UPDATE
Stephen Morgan joins FOX Weather

What's amazing is that Myers, a usually prolific social media poster, has not mentioned his channel 26 Houston weather work, other than changing his Facebook profile photos.  Even that does not really reveal he is in the FOX 26 studios though.

Myers's Facebook followers were also confused by his lack of posting about his FOX 26 appearance.  

Thanks to my reader Gregory who emailed me about it. 

Since Myers has not been added to the KRIV bios website page, and there has been no real announcement about a hire, this could be freelance work, or maybe a try out. Word on the street is the FOX Owned Television Station is about to lose a meteorologist. 

Being that this is a Sunday and Father's Day, I don't think we will get any official answers today about Myers's surprise return to Houston television weather.

Myers joined abc13 KTRK in 2017 after two years with KEYE Austin.

He got to be a contestant on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' before the long-running game show was cancelled (video embedded above).

In the summer of 2020, Myers disappeared from the channel 13 airwaves and we learned he left the station in September along with Deborah Wrigley and Bob Slovak. 

Myers was recently married so a congratulations is in order.

Ilona Carson to leave abc13 KTRK news department

Ilona Carson is leaving abc13 KTRK after 16 years, she announced on the 4pm news today. 

UPDATE JULY 2025
Ilona Carson joins KHOU 11 Houston

Back in February 2021, Carson sent an email to the channel 13 news department, obtained by mikemcguff.com, with her intentions to step away:

"I am writing to share some personal news with you, my ABC 13 family. After 16 amazing years at KTRK, I have decided to step away from the anchor desk and the daily whirlwind of live news. 

Working with you all has been a true privilege and dream come true. Now I’m ready to pursue another dream: to focus solely on my family and be fully present during these precious years that seem to be speeding by. 

This decision hasn’t been an easy one, but I know in my heart it’s the right one for my husband and children. 

Making this dream even sweeter, I will still be a part of the ABC 13 family. I’m beyond excited to work on future projects with our different departments. And I’m not going anywhere yet.. I’ll be a part of the newsroom until summer."

Carson arrived at abc13 in 2005 to anchor the 4pm newscast.  From there, she added duties like the 6:30pm news and later the 10pm newscast.

In 2018, after five years on the late news, Carson left the 10pm newscast to spend more time with her three children - two boys and a girl.

Before Houston, Carson worked for FOX 10 KSAZ Phoenix.  The University of Pennsylvania graduate also worked for KAMR in Amarillo.

Throughout her television news career, Carson has won a Lone Star EMMY award, a National Headliner award, and a Gracie award.

Carson's last day at abc13 KTRK as a news anchor will be June 18, 2021. We will stay tuned for what is next for her at channel 13.

abc13 KTRK Houston on-air staffer departures in last year:

- David Nuño leaves abc13 KTRK for TexAgs
- Rehan Aslam leaving KTRK for WABC
- Katherine Whaley leaves abc13 KTRK
- Chelsey Hernandez leaves abc13 KTRK
- Tom Koch retiring from abc13 KTRK
- Deborah Wrigley to leave abc13 KTRK
- Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK
- Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK

David Nuño leaves abc13 KTRK for TexAgs

David Nuño is leaving the abc13 KTRK sports department and Houston to join the TexAgs website in Bryan - College Station as the site's Director of Broadcast Media.

UPDATE JUNE 2021
Adam Winkler joins abc13 KTRK

“I am coming home,” Nuño said on TexAgs. “I have always had a love for the Bryan-College Station area. There are two things in sports that get my blood going: Texas A&M and Real Madrid soccer. There is nothing like A&M sports. I’ve always thought about one day relocating. It’s the perfect area at the perfect time."

TexAgs is an independent website that covers Texas A&M University sports.

Nuño has a connection to Aggieland, he attended TAMU graduating in 1999.  He also was the sports anchor for KXXV Waco, Temple, Killeen which broadcasts to the Brazos Valley through KRHD-Bryan/College Station. 

When Nuño arrived at KTRK in 2012, the native Houstonian was known to sports fans during his time as a radio host on Yahoo! Sports Radio and 1560 The Game KGOW.  In fact, on his channel 13 "No Layups" podcast with Raheel Ramzanali, the former KGOW duo interviewed Chance McClain about their time with the Houston sports station. Double Rods!

Even when not working in broadcasting, Nuño was still all about sports, working for the Harris County Houston Sports Authority and Dallas Mavericks.

Nuño works at KTRK until June 25. His first show on TexAgs Radio will be July 6.  

Now the only problem is that Nuño's wife, Elizabeth, attended the University of Texas. 

“She is an Aggie at heart,” he said on TexAgs. “My kids are all Aggies. They don’t even know about the Longhorns.”

Yeah, but will she ever give the "Horns Down" sign?

2021 has turned out to be a busy year for departures at the normally stable abc13 KTRK.  Now, including Nuño, the following exits have happened or been announced:

- Rehan Aslam leaving KTRK for WABC
- Katherine Whaley leaves abc13 KTRK
- Chelsey Hernandez leaves abc13 KTRK
- Tom Koch retiring from abc13 KTRK

UPDATE
Well now that I think about it, I guess 2020 had some big departures too:

- Deborah Wrigley to leave abc13 KTRK
- Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK
- Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK

Houston, TX media moves of 2020

Where did your favorite Houston or Texas anchor/reporter leave or come from during 2020?

JANUARY

Barbi Leo joins KIII 

KHOU 11 launches its first ever Sunday morning newscast

Anayeli Ruiz joins KHOU

Madd Hatta Show on 97.9 The Box cancelled

Jessie Watt joins Mix 96.5’s “The Morning Mix” 

Lisa Hernandez leaves KHOU 11

Chauncy Glover adds 6:30pm news duties

Brandi Smith new KHOU Saturday morning anchor

Larry Seward leaves KHOU

Sophia Beausoleil leaves KPRC 2

Matthew Seedorff joins FOX 26 KRIV

Hannah Mackenzie joins KPRC 2

Heather Sullivan joins FOX 26

Katherine Marchand leaves abc13 KTRK

Sophia Beausoleil joins NBC 5 KXAS

Bill Balleza signs off KPRC 2

VIDEO: Bill Balleza's goodbye on last KPRC 2 newscast

FEBRUARY

Raven Ambers joins abc13 KTRK

Luis Gerardo Nuñez joins “Noticiero Telemundo Houston” at 4pm and 4:30pm

MARCH

Anavid Reyes joins KPRC 

Kevin Roth joins abc13 KTRK

Kris Gutierrez rejoins KPRC 2

"The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show” returns to Houston on RadioNOW 92.1

KPRC 2 photojournalist John Treadgold talks 44 year Houston TV career

APRIL

MaryAnn Martinez leaves KPRC 2

Roxie Bustamante joins abc13 KTRK

Taniya Wright leaves KPRC 2

Lisa Hernandez joins KPRC 2

Michael Lopardi joins KPRC 2

MAY 

Roula Christie launches syndicated 'Weekends with Roula'

Albert Ramon leaving KVUE Austin for News Nation

Niku Kazori leaves KENS 5 San Antonio

Chris Pruitt named VP and GM of CW39 KIAH

Jennifer Sanders joins KXAN Austin

Sally Mamdooh leaves KPRC 2

Russ McCaskey and Jennifer Lindgren among CBS 11 KTVT layoffs

CW33 KDAF DFW launching Morning After with Ron Corning and Jenny Anchondo

John Labus leaves 740 KTRH

JUNE 

Steve Simon exits CW39 KIAH 

Leslie Mouton leaves KSAT 12

Brett Buffington leaves KHOU 11

Niccole Caan new KENS 5 consumer investigative reporter

Juan Beltran exits abc13 KTRK

Lori Bruffett promoted to KBTX GM

Ron “The Show” Hughley joins SportsRadio 610 KILT

Chrisdyann Uribe leaves FOX 26 

Erika Lopez re-joins KVUE Austin

Mike Lee promoted to VP-GM of KWKT & KYLE Waco/Temple/Bryan

NBC 5 KXAS launches "Texas Today," Dallas-Fort Worth’s New Lifestyle Program 

Mark Garcia named VP & GM of KMID Midland/Odessa

James Brown leaves KBMT Beaumont

Hannah Mackenzie leaves KPRC 2

KPRC 2's "Houston Life" moves to 3pm

Houston Public Media experiences staff cuts due to COVID-19 budget shortfalls 

Ramon J. Pineda to lead KRIS Corpus Christi

Sally Ramirez to leave KHOU 11

Russ Lewis to retire from KHOU

JULY 

José Santos leaves Telemundo Houston

Big changes at KRIS 6 Corpus Christi 

Trey Serna leaves CW39 KIAH

Daniel Aguilar takes over as Newscenter 25 KAVU Victoria GM, James Munoz as news director

Deneige Broom returns to WFTV 9

Re’Chelle Turner joins KPRC 2

Newscenter25 KAVU's announces new anchor lineup

KVUE Austin shifts Bryan Mays and Mike Rush

Faith Woodard joins KVEO Brownsville

Mary Kate Hamilton joins KOSA Midland-Odessa

Bailey Vaughn joins KTEN 10

Breanna Barrs leaves FOX 29 KABB

AUGUST

Madd Hatta to advise KTSU The Vibe

Andrew Tate joins KTEN Sherman

Isaac Williams joins NBC 23 KVEO Brownsville

Joe Puma joins KVII Amarillo

Mark Silberstein joins KRIS Corpus Christi

Kalyn Norwood to leave KVUE 24

Brandon Hamilton leaves KWTX 10

Chinedu Ogu joins Great Day Houston

Stephanie Serna named KSAT 12 morning anchor

Elise Hu: From KVUE to VICE News

Joe Sam joins Houston Life

Deborah Wrigley to leave abc13 KTRK

KHOU's Sally Ramirez to executive produce CNBC's “The News With Shepard Smith”

Lainie Fritz leaves TV sports behind for now

Sydney Hernández joins Local 23 KVEO as evening anchor

SEPTEMBER

FOX 26 KRIV debuts “The NewsEdge Early Edition” at 6pm with Kaitlin Monte

Maria Sotolongo leaves CW39 KIAH

Adam Krueger joins CW39 Houston

KVEO Brownsville debuts first-ever Latina anchor team

Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK

Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK

CW39 Houston NO WAIT WEATHER + TRAFFIC

Lee Sausley announces KRIS 6 retirement

KBTX Bryan-College Station's "Brazos Valley This Morning" teams up newlywed anchors Kathleen and Josh Ninke

KETK Tyler launches new 4 and 4:30pm newscasts

Laura Laughead joins KAMC Lubbock

Bria Bell returns to Dallas at Spectrum News

KRGV Rio Grande Valley hires Marianela Aguirre and Hugo Magallan

Mayde Gomez joins FOX 29 San Antonio KABB

KXAN's CW Austin debuts weather and traffic AM news

Rashi Vats's 5pm anchor journey

Jessica Hunt leaves KSAT 12

OCTOBER

Mike Capps: From KPRC to WFAA, ABC and CNN

Spectrum News 1 to serve DFW/Wichita Falls and other parts of Texas

Lauren Westbrook returns to KWTX 10 Waco

The Mike McGuff blog is 15 years old!

DECEMBER

KHOU Taps Roldan, Boslow and Klein to Lead Content Team in Houston, Texas

Kyle Claude named Houston Public Media Executive Director of Content Operations

Russ McCaskey joins WINK News Florida after KTVT

Ashley Paredez joins ABC 15 KNXV Phoenix

Andrea Parquet-Taylor named vice president and news director at CBS Los Angeles

Jerrel ‘Hardbody Kiotti’ Brown leaves 97.9 The Box

Simone De Alba takes over for Irene Cruz News 4 SA WOAI

Mike Gillaspia joins KIII after KRIS

Brett Anthony joins KYTX CBS19

Carrigan Chauvin joins CW39 KIAH

Courtney Carpenter leaves CW39 KIAH

Karsen Buschjost joins Big 2 News KMID Midland/Odessa

Texas TV news and radio job moves September 2020

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here. 

DALLAS - FORT WORTH 

NBC 5 KXAS anchor/reporter Katy Blakey returns to work after her daughter, Harper Jane, was born in May.

A Big D Upgrade In Play For WFAA 8.

'Kidd Kraddick Morning Show' Co-Host Big Al Mack Launches 'Let's Be Single... Together!' Podcast.

Dallas Weekly’s Best of Black Dallas 2020 media.

Former ‘Bachelorette’ and Dallas native Rachel Lindsay named ‘Extra’ correspondent.

From its origins airing the banter of bored firefighters to its robust classical programming today, Dallas’s WRR-FM has filled an unusual niche on the airwaves for nearly a century.

- Bria Bell returns to Dallas as a reporter

- Snake bites KXAS' David Finfrock

HOUSTON 

94.5 The Buzz KTBZ Rally’s Around Former Rod Ryan Show Cast Member Dinah Powers And Her Fight Against Cancer.

After 30 years, Marilyn Marshall retires as the Houston Defender editor. (Thanks Susan Farb Morris)

100.3 The Bull KILT's Erin Austin was let go from Entercom Radio in a nationwide restructuring of the company.

KPRC 2’s Frank Billingsley honored with Admiral’s Commission in Texas Navy.

VYPE/KPRC Local 2 Sports enter content partnership.

KPRC 2's Houston Life executive producer Katie Rae Meyers leaves for a new job at WPIX New York. 

SportsTalk 790 KBME morning host Sean Salisbury starts new evening show on 95.7 The Game KGMZ San Francisco.

Emily Foxhall takes over the environment beat at the Houston Chronicle. 

Former Houston TV reporter/personality Roseann Rogers has moved to Nashville, TN and is joining the sales team for iHeart Media-Nashville. 

Former KPRC 2 reporter Brendan Keefe is profiled in this TVNewsCheck profile showing his leadership of the investigative team at WXIA Atlanta, and his work as a corporate trainer for all 60 Tegna stations.

John McClain is closing in on 4 1/2 decades covering the NFL for the Houston Chronicle. 

Freddy Cruz celebrates my 15 years at 104.1 KRBE.

Comedian Chinedu Ogu marks three years at KHOU 11.

Lauren Gilley moves from directing at CW39 KIAH to KHOU 11. (Thanks Susan Farb Morris)

- FOX 26 KRIV debuts 6pm newscast

- Haley Hernandez expecting baby #2

- "Deborah Wrigley Day" in honor of the longtime abc13 KTRK reporter's last day

- Maria Sotolongo leaves CW39 KIAH
- Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK

- Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK
- CW39 Houston has been quickly making big changes
- Randy McIlvoy's journey to KPRC started in Meyerland
- A sad morning for FOX 26 
- ESPN 97.5 on-air verbal fight goes viral
- Mike McGuff on iHeartMedia's Houston P. A. talking Alzheimer's advocacy
- Lauren Talarico welcomes new baby

- Houston Public Media Announces $8 Million Anonymous Gift

- Ron Stone reporting in 1962 for KHOU

- Julia Morales has her baby

- Rashi Vats's 5pm anchor journey is a Texas story of hard work and love

SAN ANTONIO 

MMJ Holly Stouffer announced she is officially a KENS 5 traffic anchor now.

KENS 5's Bill Taylor voted the San Antonio Current's Best Meteorologist 2020.

KABB Taps Blackmagic to Report Weather From Home.

WOAI's Martha Buchanan becomes 1st woman prime time TV news anchor in Texas back in 1972.

- Mayde Gomez joins FOX 29 San Antonio KABB

- Jessica Hunt leaves KSAT 12

AUSTIN 

93.3 Austin Flips To CHR “New Music Now.”

Educational Media Foundation To Acquire KFMK Austin.

John Aielli, host of the iconic KUT turned KUTX program Eklektikos has temporarily signed off after suffering a stroke.

- Meteorologist Adam Krueger to join CW39 KIAH Houston from Spectrum News Austin and Spectrum News San Antonio 

- KXAN's CW Austin debuts weather and traffic AM news

AROUND TEXAS 

FOX 44 KWKT Waco-Temple-Killeen's Loving Living Local Central Texas host Brian Glenn (formerly of WFAA 8 DFW) contacted me to say he was fired from the station after posting about COVID-19 numbers on social media. Nohely Mendoza takes his spot to host with Amanda Tatom.

KWTX 10 Waco-Temple-Killeen has parted ways with sports anchor Tyler Bouldin. 

KXXV 25 Waco-Temple-Killeen news director Josh Eure has left the station. 

Donnie Tuggle joins KBTX Bryan-College Station as a reporter/MMJ.

KEWL/Texarkana, TX Flips From Classic Hits To '90s Alternative.

On Texas Campuses, Student-Run Newspapers Have Become Crucial Sources of Coronavirus News.

- KVEO Brownsville debuts first-ever Latina anchor team

- Lee Sausley announces KRIS 6 retirement

- KBTX has a married anchor team

- KETK Tyler launches new 4 and 4:30pm newscasts

- Laura Laughead joins KAMC Lubbock

- KRGV adds Azteca America, hires new anchors
- FOX 26's Chelsea Edwards and her Beta kitten rescue

REMEMBERING

Remembering Richard Connelly, Former Houston Press Staff Writer and Columnist.

Remembering Jan Reid, the longtime Texas Monthly contributor who introduced the Austin music scene to the rest of the world.

Remembering Wick Allison, Founder of D Magazine, a Fierce Critic and Champion of Dallas.

- Scott Crowder, 740 KTRH anchor, reportedly passes away

Collin Myers: Where was his abc13 goodbye?

 

We have seen three popular abc13 KTRK personalities leave this month, two received on-air goodbyes, but one did not.

Earlier in September, longtime reporter Deborah Wrigley got a big send off to retirement including  "Deborah Wrigley Day," a channel 13 car parade and a news story.

This week, departing weekend sports anchor Bob Slovak had multiple times to say goodbye to viewers on air, plus a news story.

Today, former weekend morning meteorologist Collin Myers took to his Facebook page and his 91,000 followers to deliver his dismay that he was not given an opportunity by KTRK to say goodbye to them on television.

Here is what he posted for those of you not on social media:

"I wanted to wait until after all recent events to share more of my personal thoughts with you. After three years, my time at KTRK-TV has come to an end. Although I had hoped for the opportunity to say goodbye to you on-air, it was not in the cards. I was surprised by the station’s decision making and surprised by no “goodbye” from anyone, but respect it in all class, and trust in God. 

It is through a lens of pride that I view my last three years here at 13. From covering catastrophic storms like Tropical Storm Imelda, to competing on Millionaire in Las Vegas, while representing Houston. it’s hard to believe it all happened in just three years!

I’ve made some lifelong friends here and I had to post this to finally give them credit. My people, from Chauncy Glover, Mayra Moreno, and Erica Simon, to David Tillman and our Tornado chasing days. Erik and Ilona, you’ve always been a joy to see for the 4pm show. Art and Mel, I’ve enjoyed our laughs together, mostly on the air at 11am! And who doesn’t laugh at jokes from Tom and Samica? I’ve appreciated every early morning with you and Katherine. And yes, I still keep up with Tim Heller. Tim, I appreciate the faith you had in me from the start. I’ll text you soon. 😉

I’m thankful for some of my closest producers and directors. Jeff, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you take a day off, ever. Robert, our serious talks were always welcomed. Mike, I’m still jealous of your Jeep. And Felix, no matter what, I’ll still always be bitter about my Chiefs’ loss to your Pats in the ‘18 AFC Championship. 

I’m also proud to have been a major part of our weather team in America’s fourth largest city. David, Elita, Travis, and Rachel, stay in touch. (Just don’t forget to update the web text post when you read this! 😅)

Here’s the harder part. I’m most thankful for you. Thank you for waking up so early with me in the mornings. When offered a shift change, I still don’t know why I didn’t take evenings. Haha!

I’m ready for change (and vacation). I couldn’t be more excited. I’m excited to once again have the freedom to embrace my future. You CAN continue to follow me on all social media, as I am keeping them for my next adventure.

•Joshua 1:9 { “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” }

‭‭Collin"

I've certainly received an angry earful from the Myers faithful about his sudden departure. Then again, it seems some channel 13 viewers aren't happy about Bob Slovak being off air either.

What a wild week in Houston TV news

My readers are wanting to know what the heck is going on at channel 13! Never in the time I have been writing this blog since 2005, have we seen three people leave/announce exits in a week's time.
And no, abc13 KTRK is not a Houston escape room. COVID-19 was cited as a reason in one instance.

First, it was Deborah Wrigley leaving a week ago Friday after 42 years with the station. Mayor Turner even gave the longtime Houston journalist her own day.

Next, we learn that after not being on the air for some time, weekend morning meteorologist Collin Myers officially left.

Then we find out weekend sports anchor Bob Slovak will be leaving soon.

In other news, CW39 morning meteorologist Maria Sotolongo announced last weekend that she was leaving KIAH and moving to the ranch life near College Station, TX.

 That was quickly followed by the news that Spectrum News Austin and Spectrum News San Antonio meteorologist Adam Krueger was hired to take her role.

While we're talking channel 39, I gave you a tour and behind the scenes look at the station's new morning newscast and set.

Meanwhile down in the Rio Grande Valley, KVEO Brownsville debuts first-ever Latina anchor team with Clara Benitez and Sydney Hernández. That wasn't the only change. The station has added a bunch more newscasts.

Now we'll see where this coming week takes us!

Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK

After 22 years at abc13 KTRK, weekend sports anchor Bob Slovak says job is a casualty of COVID-19

Bob Slovak has announced he is leaving the abc13 KTRK sports department after more than two decades.

UPDATE JULY 2022

Bob Slovak returns to abc13 in a non-sports role

Here is what he posted on Facebook today:

The challenges of the year 2020 have been many but we keep our faith. My time at KTRK ABC13 will be coming to an end in a few weeks.

My job like so many others a misfortune of the Covid-19 pandemic. We move on with a lot to be thankful for.

I would like to thank ABC13 for an awesome 22 year run, so many great memories. I want to thank all of the ABC13 viewers for letting me come into your homes and living rooms for the last two decades plus to talk Sports.

I got into this business 34 years ago because of the passion and the way Sports makes us all feel. I got that from my Dad, I can still hear him yelling at the Cowboys games on the TV.

I've tried to present my Sports coverage in a fun way and I hope you enjoyed it with me. I want to thanks all of the Coaches and Players I have gotten to know in the Houston area over the years, thanks for letting me tell your stories. I move on to new opportunities and challenges if you have one for me let me know.

We keep moving forward. God has a plan. God Bless.

ALSO JUST HAPPENING AT ABC13 KTRK HOUSTON
- Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK
- Deborah Wrigley to leave abc13 KTRK

One of the rare TV folks who eschews coffee for Diet Dr Pepper, Slovak joined KTRK in 1998 as the sports reporter alongside longtime Houston sports anchors Bob Allen and Tim Melton.

In 2013, when Melton suffered from a stroke and had to retire from the TV business, Slovak moved from sports reporter to weekend sports anchor.

RELATED
- Slovak celebrates 30 years> in broadcasting industry
- Houston TV sports reunion with Tim Melton as guest of honor
- Bob Allen has died after cancer battle

"People will ask me, you know, 'what's your favorite part of your job?' I'm like, 'well, I get in all the big sporting events for free' and they go, 'well, what's the worst part of your job?' 'Well, I'm working,' Slovak jokingly said in a recent interview.

Slovak has earned honors from the Edward R. Murrow, EMMY and Associated Press awards.

In this spare time, you might find Slovak rocking out at a concert by greats such as the Rolling Stones or Foo Fighters (at least back when you could attend shows).

Before channel 13 and Houston, Slovak worked at KNXV Phoenix, KOTV Tulsa, KFDM Beaumont and KTEN Ada, Oklahoma.

 

The Dallas native graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, but don't think his DFW roots totally dictate his fan sensibilities when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.

"I grew up in Dallas...you know, Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys," Slovak once said. "Lived in Houston now 21 years, so I cheer for both. People say you can't do that. When they play each other, I kind of just say who wins is OK, but I'll I'll cheer for both of them."

And to show his love for sports, Slovak said if his television news sports career hadn't have happened, he would have been in some other form of athletics.

"I would probably be a coach on some level, high school or college coach," he said in the interview. "When I first got out of school, that was my backup plan. If I couldn't find a job in TV, I was going to go into coaching, football, coaching."

After his long career at channel 13, Slovak has done play by play for high school games on KUBE 57.  He also noted on his Twitter bio that he is serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston's Jack J. Valenti School of Communication.


SAY GOODBYE: Leave your memories and well wishes for Bob Slovak


* This post has been updated with information on what Slovak has been working on after he left abc13 KTRK channel 13 in Houston.

Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK

KTRK abc13 weekend morning meteorologist Collin Myers has been removed from the bios section on the Walt Disney Television owned station.

He posted this goodbye message on his Facebook page too:

Some personal news to share:
I have ended my employment at KTRK-TV (ABC13 Houston).

I thank all of you viewers who’ve supported me over the past three years, and thank everyone at the station for the opportunity to work in a great city.

You can continue to follow me on this page and ALL social media (*@collinmyerswx on all accounts*) and I look forward to announcing my plans soon. As for my fiancée and family, we love Texas and plan to stay.

Joshua 1:9: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
My father used to take me out to the porch and we’d watch thunderstorms move in, in the evenings. I’ll never lose that passion or enthusiasm.

ALSO JUST HAPPENING AT ABC13 KTRK HOUSTON
- Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK
- Deborah Wrigley to leave abc13 KTRK

As I posted on August 15th, Myers's loyal fans noticed he had not been on air in a while and had changed his social media account names to remove channel 13 branding. I would not post on this blog that he had left the station until he said something or his bio was taken off the channel 13 website. This evening, both happened.

Since then, Houston TV viewers have been worried about his absence and talking about it on my Facebook page.

Myers joined channel 13 right after Hurricane Harvey in 2017 as Casey Curry left the station.

The Kansas native previously worked for KEYE Austin from 2015 to 2017.

Before Texas, he worked for WIBW CBS 13 Topeka, Kansas as a weekday meteorologist and storm chaser (he also started his career at WIBW as a contractor a few years earlier).

While earning his BS at the University of Oklahoma, Myers interned at KOCO 5 Oklahoma City.

A fun fact, Myers was a contestant on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' months before the long running game show was officially cancelled in 2019.

On a personal note, Myers recently posted engagement photos on his newly re-named Facebook page, so congrats are in order on his upcoming wedding.

"Deborah Wrigley Day" in honor of the longtime abc13 KTRK reporter's last day

Mayor Sylvester Turner declares 9-4-2020, ‘Deborah Wrigley Day’


Deborah Wrigley is leaving abc13 KTRK Friday as I blogged about in late August, but before she leaves, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has something to say about the longtime Houston journalist.

The mayor has declared Friday, September 4, 2020, "Deborah Wrigley Day" in honor of the channel 13 reporter who wraps up her time at the station after more than four decades.

Here is what Mayor Turner said to Wrigley in a recent press conference (you can watch in embed below):

I did want to take this opportunity to just thank you and acknowledge you for your reporting, your service, your commitment. Not just to the station, KTRK channel 13, but for the city of Houston.

After 42 years of reporting and retiring at 42 years of service. That's a big deal.

And 42 years, I will tell you, we've known each other for a long time, [Deborah says, "In the legislature and the mayor's race."] and we were going back to kind of look at some of the interviews and things. There was sometimes the interviewing and the questions were tough on me...but through it all, you've always been very, very fair and professional.

So I did not want you to leave this press conference today without expressing our thanks and congratulations to you for 42 years of service. And we just hope and pray that the best days of Deborah Wrigley in the future will be far, far better than the days that have passed. So I wish you all the very best. Congratulations.

ALSO JUST HAPPENING AT ABC13 KTRK HOUSTON
- Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK
- Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK

“Deborah is one of the finest writers and storytellers I have ever met," Wendy Granato, KTRK president and general manager said in a statement. "There will never be another reporter quite like her. She leaves a lasting legacy at ABC13, and we are grateful for her years of service to this station and our communities."

On the morning of her departure, a car parade was held for Wrigley's friends, colleagues and former co-workers to say goodbye.


After starting with KTRK in 1978, Wrigley is Houston’s longest-tenured female television reporter. After everything Wrigley has witnessed and with her excellent story-telling abilities, I wonder if there will ever be a book about her amazing ride along the Bayou City's history?

“I stayed in Houston by choice," Wrigley said in a statement. "My family roots were here for generations. That connection with a place and people reflected in my reporting."

SAY GOODBYE: Share your Deborah Wrigley stories and memories

Best wishes to @wrigleyABC13
who is retiring from @abc13houston after 42 years.
Earlier today, Mayor @SylvesterTurner suprised her by mentioning it during his news conference.
Deborah is a tough, but fair reporter. An icon whose work will be missed in the local news business. pic.twitter.com/Fa2MkB6iQQ

— Mary Benton (@IAmMaryBenton) September 3, 2020

Houston media members affected by COVID-19

Rucks Russell has passed away 

May 12, 2021

John "Rucks" Russell, former KHOU 11 reporter, has died at the age of 55.

Courtney Fischer recovering from COVID-19
February 2021
Courtney Fischer announced right before our Texas arctic blast that she is battling COVID-19 but feeling better.

Keith Garvin and Christine Noël recover from COVID-19 

January 15, 2021

KPRC 2 anchors Keith Garvin and Christine Noël announced on social media  they have both recovered from COVID-19 in the last weeks.

Art Rascon, and son Jacob, battling COVID-19

January 15, 2021

Longtime abc13 KTRK anchor Art Rascon and his son, KPRC 2 anchor Jacob Rascon, took to Facebook to publicly talk about their family's battle with COVID-19.

Courtney Zavala and Darby Douglas dealing with COVID-19 

January 08, 2021

Courtney Zavala's husband, Orlando, is battling COVID, while former KHOU 11 morning traffic anchor Darby Douglas has tested positive.

Dominique Sachse tests positive for COVID-19

January 07, 2021

Dominique Sachse posted to YouTube about her battle with COVID-19.

David Nuño returns after COVID-19
DECEMBER 25, 2020
David Nuño, the abc13 KTRK weekend sports anchor, took to Twitter to say his COVID-19 battle made him feel like Baby Yoda.

Melanie Lawson returns to work after COVID-19
DECEMBER 11, 2020
abc13 KTRK anchor Melanie Lawson and others report on their COVID-19 quarantine or positive test.

Britta Merwin returns after COVID
DECEMBER 7, 2020
KPRC 2 morning meteorologist Britta Merwin announced her return after a COVID quarantine.

Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK
SEPTEMBER 09, 2020
abc13 KTRK weekend sports anchor Bob Slovak says his job is like so many others - a misfortune of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Janel Forte requests prayers for her grandmother
AUGUST 19, 2020
KHOU 11 reporter Janel Forte tweets that her grandmother has sadly passed away at age 96.

abc13 KTRK hosts 'COVID-19 and Our Schools' town hall
JULY 28, 2020
ABC13, Houston’s news leader, presents, “COVID-19 and Our Schools” a two-night town hall.

Astros TV's Todd Kalas to miss beginning of season after positive COVID-19 test
JULY 24, 2020
Todd Kalas, Houston Astros TV play-by-play broadcaster, posted on Twitter he will be missing the start of the 2020 season due to a positive COVID-19 test result.

Lily Jang's father dies of COVID-19
July 9, 2020
Former KHOU 11 morning anchor Lily Jang posts that after a hard fought battle that began with COVID-19 nearly five weeks ago, her beloved father has passed away.

Taniya Wright reveals why she had to put her health first
JULY 08, 2020
Former KPRC 2 morning anchor Taniya Wright reveals what it was like to have a hospital procedure during COVID-19.

Ryan Chase tests positive for COVID-19
June 29, 2020
104.1 KRBE "Roula and Ryan Show's" Ryan Chase tested positive for COVID-19 he revealed on Twitter.

Bill Barajas tested positive for COVID-19
June 28, 2020
KPRC 2 reporter Bill Barajas announced Sunday night on Facebook that he has returned to work after testing positive for COVID-19.

Houston Public Media experiences staff cuts due to COVID-19 budget shortfalls
June 23, 2020
Current reports that Houston Public Media (News 88.7 KUHF/Houston PBS 8 KUHT) is among the latest public broadcaster cutting staff due to budgetary shortfalls stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.


ABC13 President and GM shares warning after contracting COVID-19 from young daughter
June 22, 2020
KTRK abc13 is reporting that its own President and General Manager, Wendy Granato, has tested positive for COVID-19.

abc13 KTRK Virtual Town Hall discusses COVID-19 impact in Houston Asian American Community
May 24, 2020
Hosted by ABC13’s Eyewitness News reporter Miya Shay, the town hall coincides with the observation of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and will discuss the disparate challenges of COVID-19.

KUBE 57 High School Sports Zone cancelled
May 20, 2020
Todd Freed's High School Sports Zone show on KUBE 57 has been cancelled due to economic factors stemming from the Coronavirus.

"Producer Hoss" in hospital with COVID-19
May 17, 2020
Radio producer/on-air talent Adrian ‘Producer Hoss’ Perez for Cox Media Group Houston is battling COVID-19.

KLOL's Dayna Steele starts podcast
May 14, 2020
While quarantining from home, the Texas Radio Hall of Famer and former Rock 101 KLOL DJ has been reaching out to her vast network and landing some great interviews.

The future of TV news work after COVID-19
May 12, 2020
TV stations have been forced to jump technologically thanks to the coronavirus, so when this is over, do we fully return to normal operations?

97.5 FM KFNC hosts Raheel Ramzanali and Barry Laminack out
May 6, 2020
The duo reportedly lost their jobs because of the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic the station said.


abc13 KTRK holds virtual town hall to address COVID-19 & communities of color
May 06, 2020
ABC13 anchor Chauncy Glover, who battled COVID-19 and has since recovered, will moderate the discussion, featuring U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, entrepreneur and community activist Tina Knowles-Lawson and other community and medical leaders.

Univision cancels some weekend newscasts, announces job cuts
April 28, 2020
Univision layoffs and furloughs announced, cancellation of Saturday newscasts


Houston film critics review "Movies on Lockdown" free for broadcast
APRIL 24, 2020
With movie theatres shuttered, the Houston Film Critics Society is now posting at home viewing suggestions on its website to help movie fans endure lockdown, while offering free access to movie reviews from select Society members to broadcast stations across the US and Canada (the critics will also appear live).

KPRC 2 went bananas and then this happened
APRIL 23, 2020
On a story about Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s mandatory mask order and $1000 potential fine, the NBC affiliate accidentally wrote you can wear "homemade masks, scarfs, bananas."

VIDEO: Randy McIlvoy talks sports broadcasting during COVID-19
APRIL 23, 2020
KPRC 2 sports director Randy McIlvoy talks to the High Tech Texan Michael Garfield for "The Quarantine Chronicles."

Familiar Houston radio voice battled COVID-19; family still in quarantine
Apr 17, 2020
Marc Sherman's voice is familiar to many Houston radio listeners. He spent years on sister station Sunny 99.1 with Dana Tyson. And like thousands of people in the Greater Houston area, Sherman fought a battle he never expected to; one with COVID-19.


EXPLAINED: How KPRC 2 decides how long to keep a press conference running on live television
April 17, 2020
Why do you always cut off the President of the United States in the middle of his televised speech and why don’t you cut off President Donald Trump when he is giving an obvious campaign stump speech?

New York Times Best-Selling Author Shea Serrano Raises $31,000 for the Houston Press
April 13, 2020
Last week, we ran an appeal to readers as part of our recent campaign to attract donor/members to help support the continuing work of the Houston Press.

KTRK GM Granato: "TV is seeing a huge resurgence"
April 13, 2020
abc13 KTRK president and general manager Wendy Granato: "We thought we'd lost the 20-something year olds, we thought we lost them to social media, we haven't."


Mia Gradney to anchor CBS Weekend News Easter weekend
April 11, 2020
KHOU 11 5, 6 and 10pm anchor Mia Gradney anchoring for CBS News' weekend newscasts

Carlos Robles using augmented reality weather graphics from home
April 10, 2020
Telemundo Houston KTMD chief meteorologist Carlos Robles is using augmented reality weathercasting in his living room.

KPRC 2, KHOU 11, FOX26, CW39 join forces for COVID-19 PSA
April 9, 2020
Channels 2, 11, 26 and 39 come together to show Houston TV solidarity during coronavirus pandemic.

Houston churches to air on local TV Easter Sunday
April 8, 2020
While you can't physically attend Easter Service, Houston churches and television stations are joining forces to help you celebrate without leaving your house.

TEGNA, owner of KHOU and many Texas stations, announces furloughs
April 6, 2020
TEGNA, owner of Texas stations like KHOU Houston, WFAA Dallas, KENS San Antonio, KVUE Austin, KCEN Waco, KAGS College Station, KYTX Tyler, KIII Corpus Christi, KBMT-KJAC Beaumont, KXVA Abilene and KIDY San Angelo has announced week long furloughs to come this month.

Nick Natario takes stay at home studio to next level
April 5, 2020
abc13 KTRK multi-media journalist (MMJ) Nick Natario builds awesome home studio, while channel 13 tests emergency broadcast location

Former KHOU photographer John Shaw loses wife to COVID-19
April 1, 2020
Shaw tells his former station that he recently lost his wife to COVID-19 after being with her for more than 50 years.


Chauncy Glover discusses experiencing COVID-19
March 31, 2020
Chauncy Glover goes live with his 3pm co-anchor, Mayra Moreno, about his condition.

Morning Dose returns to CW39 Monday away from studio
March 29, 2020
After being off the air Friday, CW39 KIAH's Morning Dose returns Monday.

FOX 26 KRIV tests remote broadcasts
March 29, 2020
Weekend anchor Tom Zizka posted photos on Facebook of FOX 26 KRIV conducting broadcasting tests from its transmitter location.

COVID-19 pandemic forces sports media to adapt
March 27, 2020
With a lack of sporting events for the foreseeable future, media outlets have pivoted in attempts to fill a content void for their audience.

Chauncy Glover tests positive for COVID-19
March 26, 2020
Chauncy Glover, 3pm and 6:30pm anchor for abc13 KTRK, announced today he has tested positive for coronaviurs and is self-quarantining.

Cleverley Stone puts show on hold
March 21, 2020
CBS SportsRadio 650 KIKK "Cleverley Food Talk" radio host Cleverley Stone posted the following: "Due to the Coronavirus issue and my illness (I’m fighting stage 4 uterine cancer with chemotherapy treatments), we are putting The Cleverley Show on hiatus for now."

From the Houston Chronicle editor: During coronavirus crisis, we’re working for you
March 20, 2020
A word about newspaper delivery during these troubled times: We have no indication from health authorities that the coronavirus can be spread on newsprint. But in an abundance of caution, we have provided gloves to all our press workers and delivery agents. And we are aggressively sanitizing our facilities daily.

TV anchors broadcast from home
March 20, 2020
Houston news anchors are staying home, but still delivering the news on TV.
- Houston TV helps the kids online

VIDEO: New ways TV news crews are working during COVID-19
March 19, 2020
Many Houston TV news stations are not letting their field crews (reporters/photographers) come into the station unless absolutely needed. Many are now staging from home and going to the story in their own vehicles. Some stations pair teams together to work strictly away from the station.

The Houston Press Not Immune to These Hard Times, Needs Help
March 19, 2020
As the Houston Press has documented for you over the last several days, these are hard times for our city. We’ve gone out of our way to detail the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, especially for those in the arts, music and restaurant/bar communities, as well as relaying important public-health news and updates.

abc13 KTRK reporter Miya Shay and photographer Mario Segura confronted during live shot
March 13, 2020

I’m just going to assume this guy dropped a bunch of F bombs on me this morning because his wife sent him for toilet paper too early. #jobhazard#Coronavirus #COVID19 is serious. We are not hyping it. #abc13 https://t.co/fWUjPZUbWc pic.twitter.com/9zMhcP46xp

— Miya Shay (@ABC13Miya) March 13, 2020

Houston Chronicle news staffers could have been exposed to coronavirus
March 10, 2020
Four Houston Chronicle journalists attended a conference last week where a participant has had a presumptive positive test for novel coronavirus.

Former abc13 KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora's daughter is blogging for KPRC 2 on what it is like on lock down in Spain
March 9, 2020 and ongoing
Isabella Zamora, a Houston native and Maddie Wharton, of Portland, Oregon, were teaching in Spain together when Madrid went on lockdown over the coronoavirus. They will share their experiences on click2houston.com to provide a real-life view of what life is like right now in Spain.

KPRC 2′s Eric Braate under self-quarantine after returning from trip to Asia
March 9, 2020
KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate just returned from a two week trip to Asia and has been asked to self-quarantine as a precautionary measure. Braate says he was not anticipating having to self-quarantine because when he left for the trip, the situation had not grown to what it is now. He feels fine and is healthy and said had he known how the coronavirus crisis would play out, he would have reconsidered his two-week trip.
- UPDATE 3-17-2020: ‘I’m on a 14 day quarantine. This is what it’s like.’