TX TV love is in the air for Valentine's Day!

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Hannah Rucker is engaged

Texas TV news and radio job moves August 2023

 

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

- 2023 Lone Star Regional Sports EMMY winners
- Congratulations to the 2023 Bonner McLane Public Service Award Winners
- 2023 Texas National Edward R. Murrow Award Winners
- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2023 inductees

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

The Parent Company of Cumulus and The Ticket Is Suing Ex-Hosts Jake Kemp and Dan McDowell.

New journalists announced at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Alexandra Skores named aviation reporter for the Dallas Morning News. 

Local News Outlet Slanders Mayor’s Cowboy Hat.

Dallas Biz Journal editor Jeff Schnick departing.

The Dallas Business Journal promotes Bill Hethcock to assistant managing editor.

820 WBAP seeks a new afternoon drive host as Rick Roberts exited after seven and a half years.

Amy Chodroff announces exit From KLIF.

KERA News acquires Texas community newspaper.

Joseph Hoyt leaves the Dallas Morning News to join Lone Star Live.

- Janel Forte joins WFAA 8
- Erin Hunter joins WFAA's Good Morning Texas
- Sportsradio 96.7FM/1310 AM The Ticket/KTCK-FM Kicks schedule changes 2023
- Hiney Wine: The story of a fake DFW radio ad
- Lili Zheng joins FOX 5 DC WTTG Washington, D.C.
- Mariel Ruiz gives WFAA 8 tour
- CBS 11 KTVT DFW replaces 6pm newscast with 'Jeopardy'

HOUSTON

KHOU 11 Photojournalist Nathan Kvinge retires after 41 years with the station.

Anchor Keith Garvin celebrates 11 years with KPRC 2.

KHOU 11 reporter Maria E. Aguilera celebrates 6 years as a reporter and 5 years with TEGNA Inc. 

Director of Business Development at iHeartMedia Houston, Robert Reese, celebrates 21 years.

Michael Hagerty celebrates 10 years with Houston Public Media's News 88.7 KUHF's "Houston Matters."

KBXX personalities J Mac and Young Jas, along with streetwear purveyor Michael Mills, interview influencers and artists from Mills' store on 'Clearly Cultured' podcast.

Mike McCall has been named Chief of Donor Engagement for Hope Media Group, bringing over three decades of experience in donor development, stewardship, and special initiatives fundraising.

Reporter Nick Natario celebrates six years with abc13 KTRK.

KPRC 2 nightside executive producer Steve Ljuljdjuraj leaves for CBS News Detroit.

Former FOX 26 KRIV anchor, Melinda Spaulding Chevalier, named VP for public affairs at Rice University.

'Amplifying The Culture' is the goal at AQH Gainer KBXX Houston.

John Lopez is the OG of Houston Sports Radio.

Radio Legend Madd Hatta announces Scholarship for 10 TSU Students.

Ken Hoffman gets heated over shady meteorologist terms during our worst summer ever.

Houston-based SuiteRadio announces that its programs are being heard on 50 broadcast radio signals across the US.

Houston Biz Journal editor Greenwood departs.

Andrea Guzmán joins Chron.com as Texas brands reporter. 

Former KHOU 11 reporter Gabe Gutierrez joins NBC News’s White House Team.

Jessica Savitch, a trailblazing news anchor who got her start on KHOU, to be written about in new book.

Started in the basement, now we’re here: Explore ktru’s history.

How to watch ABC13 television over the air with an antenna.

- Chauncy Glover leaves abc13 Houston
- Get to know Rod Ryan from 94.5 The Buzz
- Houston radio stars open up on FOX 26
- Alex Bozarjian joins abc13 Houston
- Dave Ward honored with street name next to abc13 Houston studios
- Former KPRC 2 reporter revisits covering Hurricane Harvey
- Outlaw Dave joins Houston's Eagle 106.9 and 107.5
- James Harden fined $100,000 after KHOU 11 interview
- Erica Simon announces baby #2
- "KPRC2+ Now" at 9am debuts
- Daniel Gotera leaves KHOU 11 Houston
- Dominique Sachse talks living with grief
- "KPRC 2 News Today at 10am" and 3pm news debut in September 2023
- abc13 KTRK taken off YouTube TV by glitch
- ESPN Houston staff changes summer 2023

SAN ANTONIO

KENS 5 anchor Isis Romero joins the University of the Incarnate Word staff this fall...but she's still anchoring, too.

KSAT 12 reporter Leigh Waldman promoted to 'Investigates' team.

KSAT 12's GMSA weekend anchor/reporter Max Massey celebrates 6 years with the station.

KSAT reporter Erica Hernandez to be featured in episode of ABC’s ‘20/20′ in September.

- Texas TV chief meteorologist moves to newspaper
- Simone De Alba joins WUSA9 Washington, DC
- Chelsea Torres joins FOX News
- Allysa Tellez leaves KENS 5 San Antonio
- Daniela Ibarra joins KSAT San Antonio

AUSTIN

Texas Tribune holds first layoffs in 14-year history.
- The Texas Tribune’s first-ever layoffs worry the news industry.

 Jason Dick returns to the “Morning X” on “101X” KROX.

Craig Way returns to iHM's The Zone.

"105.3 The Bat” off the air.
- Norsan Media acquiring KTXX, K287FG/Austin

- Abigail Velez joins CBS Austin
- Pamela Comme joins WESH 2 Orlando

AROUND TEXAS

Congratulations to KCBD 11 Lubbock Chief Meteorologist John Robison on his 40-year work anniversary!

Blake Holland celebrates five years at KLTV 7 Tyler.

KETK News learned staff members at 95.3 and 102.3 The Breeze have been let go.

Chantel Ropp leaves KWTX 10 Waco where she was a reporter. 

KYTX CBS19 special projects producer Larry Magee leaves for a new job.

 KCBD 11 Lubbock MMJ Michael A. Cantu leaves the TV news biz after eight years. 

KTSM’s Estela Casas shares her story during Downtown hotel’s High Tea event.

KKHR Abilene flipped formats to a mix of Americana, Classic Rock, and Texas Country as "101.7 The Patriot."

- Erika and Blake Holland add to KLTV family
- Kurtis Quillin leaves KCEN 6 Waco
- Patrina Adger joins KFDM News Beaumont
- Liz Dueweke joins KFOX14 El Paso
- Adam Cardona promoted to NBC 23 KVEO mornings
- Pat Simon re-joins WOWK 13 News Huntington, West Virginia
- Cole Banker joins KLBK/KAMC Lubbock
- Mason Horodyski joins WHAS11 News
- Faith Colbert joins 3News KIII Corpus Christi
- Paul Cicala returns to KVIA El Paso
- Madeleine Dunn joins KMID Midland
- Sara Blue joins CBS19 KYTX
- Stephanie Valle celebrates 22 years with KVIA El Paso
- Noemy Sanchez joins KTRE and KLTV East Texas
- Jesse Schroeder leaves KTRE East Texas
- Ashly Elam leaves 12News KBMT Beaumont
- Adam Ogburn joins KTEN

Janel Forte joins WFAA 8

Janel Forte joins WFAA 8 Dallas - Fort Worth as a reporter.

Here is Forte's announcement on Instagram.

"It’s a full circle moment - I went to high school in the DFW area and during that time, WFAA was always my family’s go-to for local news. My mom still lives in the metroplex and I’m so excited that she’ll be able to watch me every night. 

Full transparency -

I stepped away from news over a year ago - I was burnt out, struggling to support my sick mom, and overall just unhappy. I had checked off all my career goals in record time - anchor, work in a top 10 market, become a national correspondent. But what was next? I had no idea.

So I left my job. Split my time between helping my mom bounce back from the chemo she’d had to fight stage 2 lymphoma and Chicago where the majority of my family and friends live. By November of 2022, I started seriously looking for my next role both in and out of news. I was getting offers, but nothing felt like the right fit. Fast forward lots of interviews later - and God had exactly what was meant for me waiting.

At WFAA I’ll be a GA reporter, but my specialty (beat, if you will) will be transportation and business reporting (truly right up my alley). With two major airlines headquartered here, 24 Fortune 500 companies HQs calling DFW home, and wild growth and development in the metroplex - there’s going to be plenty of stories to tell. So if you’ve got a tip for me - please reach out! Let’s get to work."

As Forte mentioned, she was a national correspondent for NewsNation.  She joined the cable news network in 2021 and left in 2022.

Houston TV viewers will recognize Forte from her time at KHOU 11 Houston as a morning reporter where she worked from 2018 to 2021. 

Before that, Forte worked for:

- WLOX Biloxi, MS as anchor/reporter

- Medill News Service, Reporter, Washington DC

- Medill Reports, Reporter, Chicago, IL

- Social Justice News Nexus, Graduate Fellow, Chicago, IL

- Newswatch 16 ICTV, Anchor/Reporter, Ithaca, NY

The Cornell University grad with a master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism interned for FOX 4 KDFW and the The Virginian-Pilot.

OTHER RECENT WFAA NEWS
- Erin Hunter joins WFAA's Good Morning Texas
- Demond Fernandez leaves WFAA 8 DFW
- Joe Trahan celebrates 20 years with WFAA DFW
- Jesse Hawila adds to the family
- Natalie Haddad joins WFAA DFW
- Ariel Plasencia leaves WFAA

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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.

Alex Caprariello leaves KXAN for NewsNation

Alex Caprariello, KXAN Austin's lead education reporter, is heading to Los Angeles to work for Nexstar's (KXAN owner) NewsNation. 

Here is what he tweeted:

"The last few years at @KXAN_News have been so special to me. I got the chance to work with incredibly talented and respected journalists in what could be the best city in America. But the time has come for me to move on.

I feel like I’ve covered everything! From hurricanes, to police protests, to navigating school safely during a global pandemic. I know I’m moving forward in my career with real, gritty experience — exactly what I was looking for when I first joined this shop years ago.

It is that exact experience that gives me confidence to move forward to an even larger stage. In two weeks, I’ll be moving to Los Angeles to work for News Nation, a national cable network. I’ll be a West Coast correspondent, covering breaking news along the entire coast.

I owe thank yous to so many people. To my KXAN managers, colleagues & friends. To my supportive partner, Sarah, who will be joining me in LA. And to the amazing city of Austin: thank you for letting me share your stories. It’s been an honor to call this place home. I’ll be back!"

Caprariello, who joined KXAN in 2018, previously worked for KNWA/KFTA Fayetteville, Arkansas as a weekend anchor, senior reporter and producer.

The Arizona State University grad also earned a master’s degree in Journalism from the school's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Other Texas TV journalists who have left the Lone Star State for NewsNation include KVUE Austin's Albert Ramon, FOX 4 KDFW's Allison Harris and KHOU 11's Janel Forte.

Texas TV news and radio job moves April 2021

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here. 

WATCH

Best TV News Bloopers April 2021

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Former DFW radio host, accused of sexual assault in March, charged with another sex crime

Lil D Exits KBFB (97.9 The Beat)/Dallas.

Cayman Kelly Becomes Imaging Voice For KKDA (K104)/Dallas & KZCE/Phoenix.

Malini Basu joins WFAA
Allison Harris joins NewsNation
CBS 11 DFW adds two newscasts with Robbie Owens

HOUSTON

Isiah Carey to executive produce new FOX show "Crazy Azz Criminals with Chuey Martinez of "Dish Nation."

Former 100.3 The Bull KILT assistant music director/mid-day host Erin Austin Named New Morning Co-Host At WMC-F (FM100)/Memphis.

Aaron Wilson Fired by Houston Chronicle over Deshaun Watson Radio Comments.

Sports Radio 610 KILT rolls to winter ratings book victory.

Shelby Webb named the renewable energy reporter for the Houston Chronicle.

Former Telemundo Houston anchor Paulina Sodi leaves the Telemundo network's “Un Nuevo Día.” 

Three area TV stations bring West African culture to Houston.

Houston rap legend Bun B launches 'Trill' new show on SiriusXM

Rod Ryan Reunites With Jason Ginty For 'Play Pants' Podcast.

Salem Houston Appoints Darren Ryder As GM As Chuck Jewel Retires.

Janel Forte joins NewsNation
Dayna Steele's "101 Ways to Rock Running for Office"
Quest Houston moves to 55.1 from 11.4 - Twist replaces
Rita Garcia is married
Houston radio stations granting $25K in ads to small biz
Brittany Jeffers has baby #2
Dave Ward launches new video podcast
Lester Holt live in Houston for NBC Nightly News
Houston DJ greats broadcasting with SuiteRadio
Brittany Ford joins KHOU 11
I SEE U with Eddie Robinson to launch on KUHF
Dominique Sachse hair surprise 2021
Rehan Aslam named WABC NY news director

SAN ANTONIO

KENS 5 investigative reporter Mariah Medina joins the San Antonio Police Department.

Cox Media Group has announced the promotion of  Keith Hastings as Director of Operations for its San Antonio cluster.

AUSTIN

KXAN’s Jim Spencer, David Yeomans win big awards from Austin Alliance for Women in Media.

KVUE's Tony Plohetski wins prestigious Hillman Prize for Javier Ambler II reporting.

Lucy 93.3 Austin Adds Ryan Seacrest & Mario Lopez.

David Yeomans in GQ, Jim Spencer on CW's "Walker"

Amanda Dugan is pregnant
Britt Moreno joins KXAN Austin
Luis de Leon joins 9News KUSA Denver

AROUND TEXAS

Chip and Joanna Gaines buying Waco Tribune-Herald building for new Magnolia headquarters.
- VIDEO: Joanna Gaines before HGTV's "Fixer Upper"

KLBK News Lubbock meteorologist Jacob Riley named chief.

Edgardo Sanabria named assistant news director for Telemundo 48 KTDO El Paso.

KPRF Drops A Bomb On Amarillo.

Beloved TV/Radio professor at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi set to retire.

Bill Vessey retires from KIII Corpus Christi
Joe Gazin to retire from KIII Corpus Christi
Taylor Mitchell promoted to KFDA Amarillo weekend anchor
Texas TV journalists remember Branch Davidian raid near Waco
Cameron Venable joins KAKE News from KFDA Amarillo
Katie Orth joins KWGN 2 Denver

REMEMBERING

KAKE Creative Services Director (formerly of KPRC 2) John Sweeney dies unexpectedly at age 45.

Dallas media personality, former FOX 4 weatherperson Jocelyn White dies at age 68.

Dallas-Fort Worth radio market's Bud Eldridge Buschardt Jr. passes away.

Ron Chapman, DFW radio legend, dies at age 85

Texas media job changes moving pretty fast!

In the 1986 film, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the titular character said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

I feel the same about Texas television news and media just in the last few weeks!

So, in case you missed something, let's get the CliffsNotes version.  That should get you past the pop quiz I might spring on you in the coming days. Practice question, "Who is leaving a Texas TV station after starting there in 1978?"

CORPUS CHRISTI

Bill Vessey retires from KIII Corpus Christi

Joe Gazin to retire from KIII Corpus Christi after 50 years in broadcasting

HOUSTON

Katherine Whaley leaves abc13 KTRK

Chelsey Hernandez leaves abc13 KTRK

Telemundo Houston adds Pablo Sánchez and Karina Segovia to weather team

Janel Forte joins NewsNation

Josh Innes is now a classic rock morning show host

Corey Dillon joins The New 93Q KKBQ

DALLAS - FORT WORTH METROPLEX

Peyton Yager joins FOX 4 KDFW

Malini Basu joins WFAA

Allison Harris joins NewsNation

AUSTIN

Mike Rush exits KVUE Austin

Kristie Gonzales promoted to KYTX and KVUE

SAN ANTONIO

Evan Closky joins 10 Tampa Bay WTSP