The changing faces of Houston TV news 2018

If you have the time...you can read through all of the Houston media job changes I tracked through 2018. And there are a lot of them. Ten years ago, I don't think I could have compiled a list anywhere near this size. There are so many changes, that even I can go through it and say, "Oh yeah, I forgot that happened this year!"

JANUARY 2018
- Taisha Walker joins KPRC

- Sofia Ojeda returns to KPRC weekend morning anchor desk

- Anoushah Rasta joins NBC Bay Area

- Janel Forte joins KHOU + new set

- Minerva Pérez Joins NHMC Board of Directors

- Josh Chapin exits KHOU 11

- Brian Collister leaving KXAN Austin

- Noel Ramos promoted to KTMD assistant news director

- Shelley Childers joins KTRK abc13

- Dave Ward named grand marshal of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parade

- Mayor names Mary Benton interim press secretary

- Wayne Dolcefino joins Quanell X on FOX 26's 'FOX Faceoff'

FEBRUARY 2018
- KENS 5 traffic anchor Chelsey Hernandez joins KTRK abc13 as a consumer reporter

- Houston TV journalists strike out on their own, and open up to mikemcguff.com about making money, including turning on a paywall

- WFMZ 69 News Lehigh Valley, PA reporter Maria Salazar joins FOX 26 as a general assignment reporter

- WCBS New York reporter Jessica Borg joins KHOU 11

- Former KPRC 2 reporter Jennifer Bauer reports from scene of horrible Florida high school shooting

- FOX 26 KRIV reporter Stephen Morgan filled-in as the meteorologist

- Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

- Owen Conflenti announces baby

MARCH 2018
- Former KLOL Personality Dayna Steele Wins Texas Democratic Primary

- Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13

- Houston Mayor Sylvester appoints former KPRC 2 reporter Mary Benton press secretary

- Kitirik, 86, still in the hearts of Houston TV viewers

- KHOU GM Susan McEldoon announces retirement

- Levi Ismail joins KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's new station address will be 5718 Westheimer - between Chimney Rock and Bering

APRIL 2018
- David Gonzalez joins KHOU 11

- Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13

- Brittany Jeffers joins KPRC 2

- Branch Davidian standoff remembered by Texas TV journalists who were there

- Lisa Vaughn exits FOX 26 KRIV

- New KHOU 11 graphics 2018

- 2018 Texas RTDNA Regional Murrow Award winners

MAY 2018
- CW 39 KIAH NewsFix's Natalie Hee joins FOX 26 KRIV as a reporter

- KHOU 11's investigative reporter Scott Noll leaves station for new job

- Dave Ward’s year since leaving channel 13

-Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract

- Two Houston DJs And Two Precinct 1 Constables Spend Three Days Homeless On Streets of Houston

- Don Nelson recalls his Rockets head shave

- Is that Fox 26's Mike Iscovitz or Eddie Van Halen?

- 10pm newscast producer Sindy Espinoza moves up to Executive Producer

- Ken Hoffman #4 Houston Chronicle columnist?

- Telemundo Houston travelling to Russia for World Cup 2018

- Harris County jurors get Dave Ward appearance

- KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate is runner up for Texas in 2018 HAIRRY Awards

- KHOU 11 demolition photos

- KPRC 2 assistant news director Mike Friedrich is making a career pivot

- A 101 KLOL video podcast by the mastermind behind the legendary Houston rock station

JUNE 2018
- Kevin Quinn leaves KTRK 13, joins Harris County Precinct 1

- KHOU 11's Melissa Correa opens up about her mental health

- Director of social media production

- Jake Reiner leaving KPRC 2

- Darby Douglas exits KHOU 11

- 2018 Lone Star Awards announced by Houston Press Club

- Colorado Securities Commissioner Gerald Rome

- KPRC's Sara Donchey is expecting

- KLOL would get ratted out by the Houston Chronicle in the 1970s

- Thanks to KPRC 2 for covering my mom's Alzheimer's story

- Jennifer Reyna is not leaving KPRC 2; has a new Facebook page

- KPRC 'Houston Life' changes coming

- Charly Edsitty joins abc13 KTRK

JULY 2018
- Tim Heller to leave abc13 KTRK in January 2019

- Where is Greg Bailey on abc13 KTRK?

- Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2

- Bobby Springer new KHOU 11 station manager

- TV talent fashion advice from the pros

- Former Houston journalists start “What’s Left America” podcast

- Aaron Wische named KPRC 2 Assistant News Director

- David Paul's new haircut was a happy accident

AUGUST 2018
- Doug Miller named Rice University director of news and media relations

- Telemundo Houston's Martín Berlanga to leave KTMD

- Butch Alsandor & Jorge Vargas to call TSU football on AT&T SportsNet

- Katherine Marchand joins abc13 KTRK

- 'Dave Ward's Houston' to launch on abc13 KTRK

- KPRC 2's new dog, Tex, joins Houston Life

- Sara Donchey has her baby

- Lina De Florias joins FOX 26

- Good news for Greg Bailey!

- abc13 KTRK to debut 3pm newscast

- KHOU 11 reveals what happened during Harvey evacuation

- Sherry Williams is leaving KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's Sherry Williams joins HISD


SEPTEMBER 2018
- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 inductees

- Frank Billingsley diagnosed with prostate cancer

- Former KIAH GM Roger Bare to head Bayou City Art Festivals

- NewsFix and morning dose cancelled by Tribune

- Former Houston TV staffers land gigs in Florida

- Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2

- NewsFix signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News

- KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora calls it a career after 38 years

- Former KHOU photographer lives "Life Below Zero"

- Tom Zizka moving to weekends

- KTXH bringing back that 20 Vision feeling

- 'Wake Up! With SallyMac & Lina' debuts Monday on FOX 26 KRIV

- Telemundo Houston and Entercom radio team up

- In 'Santa Fe Strong,' KHOU follows the high school football team after shooting tragedy

- KHOU Avenida Studio in downtown Houston debuts


OCTOBER 2018
- Leigh Frillici signs off from KPRC 2

- Greg Bailey returns to KTRK...again

- Erica Simon is pregnant

- Michelle Margaux will serve as in-game reporter for Houston Rockets games

- Foti Kallergis leaves abc13 KTRK for PR role

- Darby Douglas gets a new grandson

- Houston Chronicle editor Nancy Barnes named NPR's SVP of News and Editorial Director

- CW 39's Maggie Flecknoe is a survivor

- Alejandro Mendoza joins Telemundo Houston KTMD

- KHOU 11's Ron Trevino is married!

- Sharron Melton returns to Houston TV on CW 39 KIAH

- Adam Clanton and Theresa from The Buzz have a baby

- TJ Parker joins abc13 KTRK

NOVEMBER 2018
- Jerry Vazquez on the rise of Telemundo Houston

- Stefania Okolie joins abc13 KTRK

- Lindsey Day joins CW 39 KIAH Morning Dose

- Stephanie Simmons joins KHOU 11

- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 highlight videos

- Why Ilona Carson is no longer on the 10pm news

- Don Kobos honored in Lone Star EMMY Chapter Silver Circle

- Samica Knight returns to abc13 KTRK

- Dave Ward announces new book 'Good Evening, Friends'

- iHeartMedia Houston and the Houston Astros extend partnership

- Telemundo Houston takes home 15 Lone Star EMMYS

- InnovationMap launches from Gow Media

- Natasha Barrett joins city of Baytown

- Christine Noël joins KPRC 2

- WFAA's Carolyn Mungo News Director of the Year 2018

- Univision 45 November 2018 sweeps victories

- Telemundo Houston releases November 2018 sweeps wins

- Lainie Fritz gets her ring

- Lance Roberts rejoins 700 KSEV

- VIDEO: KHOU 11 returns to air during Hurricane Harvey

- Craig Hlavaty leaves Houston Chronicle for HMNS


DECEMBER 2018
- Carlos Robles promoted to Telemundo Houston chief meteorologist

- Frank Billingsley announces he is cancer free

- Chelsey Hernandez appears in new movie

- Hannah Trippett joins CW39 KIAH's 'Morning Dose'

- KPRC 2 celebrates 70th anniversary as Houston's first station

- Rachel McNeill officially signs off KPRC 2

- The Brooks Garner baby is here

- Steve Simon returns to CW39 KIAH as news director

- Trey Serna returns to CW39 as senior producer and talent

- Rachel Briers joins abc13 KTRK

Texas TV and radio job moves May 2018

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Fox4 leads May "sweeps" with five firsts, including wall-to-wall wins in key 25-to-54-year-old news demographic

Kaley O’Kelley, co-anchor of CBS11’s weeknight newscasts since January 2015, announced she’s leaving the station.
- Here is her tearful goodbye

Reporter Saul Garza, a 19-year veteran of FOX4 KDFW, has opted to leave the station.

FOX4 KDFW meteorologist Jennifer Myers is leaving the station to become the weathercaster for North Texas-based ONCOR Electric.

FOX4 KDFW has named Hannah Battah to succeed Jenny Anchondo as anchor.

Jenn Marino Joins Alt 103.7 Dallas.

Mark Cuban, Mount Everest and lots of radio: The journey of Ben and Skin.

- WFAA 8 DFW reveals new #TEGNA graphics package
- VIDEO: Dale Hansen has very emotional moment on WFAA's newscast

HOUSTON

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Lisa Falkenberg taking helm of Chronicle editorial section.

The Latest Upheavals in Houston's Sports Talk Radio Ratings Tactics.

Steve Campion renews his agreement with KTRK in Houston as an MMJ.
- Napoli Management Group

Former Univision anchor and reporter Mariana Pineda returns to news at KIAH

Director of Marketing at Telemundo Dallas KXTX, Art Sobarzo, joins KTRK abc13 in the same role.

Former KHOU 11 producer, Mike O'Neill, has left Real Investment News to join MetroNational as Marketing and Communications Manager.

KPRC 2 producer Erin Jones leaves the station after 11 years to join the city of Houston Houston Public Works.

- CW 39 KIAH NewsFix's Natalie Hee joins FOX 26 KRIV as a reporter
- KHOU 11's investigative reporter Scott Noll leaves station for new job
- Dave Ward’s year since leaving channel 13
- Afternoon traffic anchor and reporter Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract
- Two Houston DJs And Two Precinct 1 Constables Spend Three Days Homeless On Streets of Houston
- Don Nelson recalls his Rockets head shave
- Is that Fox 26's Mike Iscovitz or Eddie Van Halen?
- 10pm newscast producer Sindy Espinoza moves up to Executive Producer
- Ken Hoffman #4 Houston Chronicle columnist?
- Crime Stoppers of Houston luncheon
- Telemundo Houston travelling to Russia for World Cup 2018
- Harris County jurors get Dave Ward appearance
- KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate is runner up for Texas in 2018 HAIRRY Awards
- KHOU 11 demolition photos
- KPRC 2 assistant news director Mike Friedrich is making a career pivot
- A 101 KLOL video podcast by the mastermind behind the legendary Houston rock station

SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio Express-News lays off 14 journalists.

KSAT named Adam Caskey as new 10 pm weathercaster to replace veteran Steve Browne who is retiring after 26 years.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) will honor Bernice Kearney, News Director at KSAT12 News, with the NAHJ Presidential Award at the Hall of Fame Gala presented by Toyota on Saturday, July 21 at the InterContinental, in Miami, FL.

Photos: KENS-TV anchor weds in Caribbean paradise.

AUSTIN

May TV ratings: See how your favorite Austin news station fared.

Former KVUE anchor Olga Campos Benz announces new gig.

Former KVUE GM Patti Smith has been tapped to serve as interim executive director of Austin radio stations 90.5 KUT-FM and 98.9 KUTX-FM.

Lauren Due joins Spectrum News in Austin as MMJ.
- Due is represented by Steve Swienckowski at DCA Talent.

KVUE adds Leslie Adami and Luis de León to news team.

NewsRadio KLBJ making changes to weekday morning lineup

AROUND TEXAS

Telemundo 52 Los Angeles KVEA announces Tania Leal will serve as weekend weather anchor and will report about weather-related events during Telemundo 52’s weekday news. She will make her first on-air appearance on June 6. Leal joins Telemundo 52 from sister-station Telemundo 40 Rio Grande Valley / KTLM, where she worked as the weather anchor for the station’s weekday newscasts. Before this, Leal worked for Televisa Noreste. Leal earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology and has an associate’s degree in Law from the University of Brownsville in Texas. In addition Leal is expected to receive her degree in Meteorology in August of 2019.

KTLM Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen named Jasmina González a video journalist for Noticias Telemundo 40.

Brandon Ortega becomes the new sportscaster at KOB, in Albuquerque. He previously was a weekend sports anchor and reporter at KRGV in Harlingen, Texas.
- Napoli Management Group

KTLM Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen named Carlos Revelo weekend sports anchor for Noticias Telemundo 40.

Native Houstonian Chris Ramirez has joined the San Angelo KSAN Storm Team in January 2018 as the weekend weathercaster.

REMEMBERING

Remembering freelance photographer Don Hirsch.

Former KVET/Austin Personality Sammy Allred Dead At 84.

Rebecca Spera leaves KTRK abc13

Afternoon traffic anchor and reporter Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract

UPDATE MAY 8, 2018
Rebecca Spera announces she is the national spokesperson for blendSMART - a maker of makeup tools. She also told mikemcguff.com there will be more announcements coming.



ORIGINAL POST
-------------------------------

Rebecca Spera has decided not to renew her contract with abc13 KTRK. See the other Houston TV reporter I wrote about leaving earlier today.

The afternoon traffic anchor and reporter has been on maternity leave and was scheduled to return to work this week. BTW, she named her new bundle of joy Dean.

It just so happened that Spera's channel 13 contract ran out while she was on leave. She was scheduled to return this week, but the mother of a two year old and two month old, realized her priorities lay elsewhere at this point in her life.

"When you work in TV news, it's a lot of hours, it's full dedication, and you have to be all in, and you have to love every second of it," Spera said. "And I had to take a second and sit back and look at my life and decide if I wanted that life for myself anymore. Did I want to work fixed hours that were long. Did I want to miss trick-or-treating? Did I want to miss dinner with my kids every night? And I didn't want to have to sign another long term contract where I didn't know what my life was going to be like in a couple of years."

It sounds like she might be working with channel 13 in a part-time manner in the future. Also, reading between the lines here, it also sounds like she might be working as a marketer/influencer.

If anyone in Houston TV is capable of making that transition, it's Spera.

Before becoming the station's traffic anchor, she was the host of Mirror/Mirror, a show focusing on beauty and fashion, on the Disney ABC Television Group station's shuttered Live Well Network. She seems to have built up quite a fan-base from that experience and forged relationships around town with businesses she covered.

Before Mirror/Mirror, Spera worked as a producer and contributor on KHOU 11's Great Day Houston with Deborah Duncan.

The New Jersey native earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communications at La Salle University in Philadelphia.

Here is the goodbye message Spera posted on Facebook.

After a lot of thinking, soul-searching, and praying, I made the decision to not renew my TV contract with ABC13 and spend more time with my growing family. I'm so grateful for the nine + years I spent at the station and am incredibly thankful for all of my managers, coworkers, guests, and especially YOU the viewers. Telling your stories and sharing life and beauty tips with you for nearly a decade has been a privelege and an honor, and I truly couldn't be more grateful to you.

I do love working, but I wanted a career where I could make my own hours and be home more with my boys. What's next? I'll be announcing my plans this week at my new Facebook page, Rebecca Spera.

Thank you again for nearly a decade of wonderful memories!

Say goodbye and congratulations to Spera here.

RELATED
- Scott Noll exits KHOU
- Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13
- Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13

Scott Noll exits KHOU

KHOU 11's investigative reporter Scott Noll is no longer on station's website

UPDATE
Scott Noll joins WEWS in Cleveland

I keep saying I need to hit the KHOU bios page everyday to see who is coming and going.

Yesterday, I got a note that investigative reporter Scott Noll is no longer listed on the site. Guess the same tipster hit up FTVLive, because Mr. Jones has a post up. Noll already has that link on his Facebook page.

As I posted on my Facebook account, Sunday was a bit of a tough day.

Right before my son's birthday party, our cat, Jenny, had a heart attack and had to be put to sleep.

Jenny was 18 years old, and had a good life. She was the last of my mom's three cats. As you might know from reading this blog, my mom died of early onset Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 58 back in 2005. One of my mom's last wishes was to keep her cats together.

My wife gave Jenny the nickname of Ninny, because of the her communicative manner that was sort of like a goat. And to take the comparison further, we all thought she was a G.O.A.T. - Greatest of All Time.

And here I thought kids' birthday parties were tough enough without a pet death hours before. As a parent, you get one shot to make a birthday a good one and so much can go wrong. The near 90 degree Houston temperatures didn't help, but it all turned out well in the end.

The kids loved the amazing Stay Puft Marshmallow Man pinata we had made at Garcias Party Store on Lyons Avenue. Check that place out, they also made us an amazing Indiana Jones pinata. The pinatas look so good and there is so much artistry that goes into the construction, you almost feel bad about having them beaten up for the candy.

We were at a public park and shot off silly string, confetti eggs and a pinata. This fear came over me that we were going to make NextDoor for the mess. NextDoor or not, I feel like you need to follow the Boy Scout "Leave No Trace" principle even through I never participated in the group as a kid. So I was out there for an hour after the party with a grabber, broom and a trash can. I was happy because by the end it looked like we hadn't even been there!

Noll came to Houston and KHOU back in 2011 from WREG Memphis, TN.

"For years I've followed the great investigative work being done in Houston," Noll told mikemcguff.com back then. "I'm looking forward to continuing that tradition and joining a team of top-notch journalists at KHOU 11 News."

Before WREG, Noll worked as a reporter at WLUC-TV, KSPR-TV, WFMZ-TV and WWMT-TV.

He is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

RELATED
Afternoon traffic anchor and reporter Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract

Texas TV and radio job moves February 2018

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

WFAA morning anchor Alexa Conomos signed off in earlier January and has started a real estate career.

HOUSTON

KSBJ president/GM Tim McDermott steps down from station after 27 years.

From Rock DJ To NPR News: Ed Mayberry Reflects On A Career In Radio.

93Q KKBQ morning executive producer/on-air talent Al Farb is heading to Dallas' KSCS to work afternoons and as assistant program director.

Atom Smasher, former Houston KRBE radio host, gets new show in Clear Lake

Talk Host Chris X Joins ‘Conservative Cartel’ Show. Signing on with Pinnacle Broadcast Holdings, Inc to co-host “The Conservative Cartel” program with Matt Locke is Chris X, former host of ChrisXradio.

- KENS 5 traffic anchor Chelsey Hernandez joins KTRK abc13 as a consumer reporter
- Houston TV journalists strike out on their own, and open up to mikemcguff.com about making money, including turning on a paywall
- WFMZ 69 News Lehigh Valley, PA reporter Maria Salazar joins FOX 26 as a general assignment reporter
- WCBS New York reporter Jessica Borg joins KHOU 11
- Former KPRC 2 reporter Jennifer Bauer reports from scene of horrible Florida high school shooting
- FOX 26 KRIV reporter Stephen Morgan filled-in as the meteorologist
- Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2
- Owen Conflenti announces baby

SAN ANTONIO

KENS-TV traffic reporter Stacia Willson, who previously anchored the noon news, is working toward becoming a certified meteorologist.

Casey Keirnan joins the CBS Sports Digital team as an Anchor/Host in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from sports reporter at KABB-TV in San Antonio, Texas.
- 3kingsentertainment

AROUND TEXAS

Will Jensen promoted to main anchor at KTXS Abilene.

Mike Iliopoulos moves back to Weslaco, TX and re-joins KRGV as an anchor. He moves from KMGH in Denver.

KSWO meteorologist Austin Bowling announced he’s leaving the station and the business.

Longtime KVIA (El Paso) Anchor Estela Casas will be missing from the air for weeks.

REMEMBERING

Former KTRK journalist Roy Hobbs dies.

Internet broadcaster Harold Levine passes away.

Remembering KTRE News Director Kenny Boles.

Ray Moran, a pioneer broadcaster in Texas and New Mexico, and founder of Lubbock's Ramar Communications, passed away February 11, at age 82.

Jerry Lentz, an original DJ on Dallas' alt-rock station The Edge, has died of swine flu.

Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

Last September, abc13 KTRK afternoon traffic anchor Rebecca Spera announced a baby brother for her son Gray.

Well, today we get word that the unnamed child is here!

"Welcome to the world, Baby Boy #2," Spera posted on Facebook. "We love you, even though nine months wasn't enough time to come up with a name for you (we're working on it!)!"

Send her some name ideas.

In the comments section of the Facebook post, complete with lovely family photos with the little one, Spera responded to a commenter who said her son's were named Dean, Garrett, Jackson and Cash.

"One of your names is our number one choice," Spera replied.  "We are practicing a few different names on him."

Ahh...so we can narrow it down from there.

Stay tuned.

First born Gray came into the world in January of 2016.

Texas TV & radio job moves September 2017

The monthly Texas media job moves post is back!!!!!

DALLAS AND FORT WORTH

WFAA president and general manager Mike Devlin is leaving the station at the end of the year.

An exclusive interview with former CBS11 traffic anchor Tammy Dombeck and her EEOC attorneys, who are taking the station to court on charges of age discrimination.

Reporter/anchor Marcus Moore leaving WFAA8 after a nearly six-year stint.
- Marcus Moore is joining ABC News as Dallas-based correspondent

Former KTVT meteorologist, Lisa Villegas, is taking a job at KOLD Tucson, Arizona.

MaryAnn Martinez returns to her home state of Texas as a general assignment reporter for KTVT in Dallas. She previously was a freelance reporter for KTTV in Los Angeles.
- Napoli Management Group.

Blake Hanson joins KDFW in Dallas as a reporter. Most recently, he was an anchor and reporter at WSOC in Charlotte.
- Napoli Management Group.

Brian Scott moves to WOFL in Orlando as Reporter from Bureau MMJ at KXAS in Dallas.
- The NWT Group

HOUSTON

abc13 KTRK meteorologist Casey Curry is no longer with the station.
- Is Casey Curry co-hosting KPRC 2's Houston Life permanently?
- Casey Curry does weather on FOX 26 KRIV.
- Where is Casey Curry going to work?

Ubaldo Martinez has been promoted to lead sports anchor at Telemundo Houston KTMD.

Reporter Kaitlin McCulley leaves KTRK abc13 for WHDH 7News Boston.

Tom Koch and Melanie Lawson have been working at KTRK abc13 since 1982!

Radio One Houston announced Pamela B. McKay as its new Vice President, General Manager.

Travis Herzog named Broadcaster of the Year by The National Weather Association.

Ivory Hecker to join Fox 26 KRIV as a reporter from KARE-TV Minneapolis.

After being off air since July, meteorologist Lisa Vaughn made her return to FOX 26 KRIV.

Over at KPRC 2, chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley is celebrating 35 years on the green screen.

Here is a list of the former Houston journalists who were called back from the reserves to help out during Hurricane Harvey coverage.

KTRK abc13 traffic anchor Rebecca Spera has announced baby number two.

Sussy Ruiz has left her position as Assistant News Director at Telemundo KTMD.

HOUSTON RADIO STATIONS

New Houston radio station 104.5 KISS FM to feature Urban Adult Contemporary hits.

Gow Media will lease 1560 AM to another party, and move the lineup of 1560 AM to SportsMap 94.1 FM.

104 KRBE named CHR Station of the Year 2017 by National Association of Broadcasters.

SAN ANTONIO

Where are they now? San Antonio’s ex-TV anchors, hosts share updates.

Patty Santos moves to KSAT in San Antonio from Oklahoma City as a reporter, she moves from KOCO in Oklahoma City.
- The NWT Group

Matthew Seedorff makes a 166 market jump to MMJ at WOAI/KABB in San Antonio, TX from anchor/MMJ at KTWO in Casper, WY.
- The NWT Group

AUSTIN

Anchor Shannon Wolfson leaving KXAN.

Hema Mullur renews her agreement with KEYE in Austin as primary anchor.
- Napoli Management Group.

Camila Bernal heads to KRON in San Francisco as an MMJ from CBS Austin/Telemundo-Austin, TX as an MMJ.
- The NWT Group

Nicole Cross is moving to Austin to KVUE as an anchor/reporter from KTBS in Shreveport where she was an anchor/reporter.
- The NWT Group

AROUND TEXAS

After nearly 18 years at KTXS (Abilene) Anchor George Levesque is leaving the station.

JENNIFER KIELMAN moves to ABC Affiliate KLTV in Tyler where she will be a Monday-Friday Primary News Anchor. Jennifer comes from the CBS Affiliate in Springfield. Jennifer who is a native of Texas, has won numerous awards for her work, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
- Mort Meisner Associates

GREG CHANDLER leaves Duluth and joins KRIS in Corpus Christi as Lead Nightside Reporter.
- Steve Swienckowski at DCA Talent

Alan Campbell jumps 70 markets and joins WXYZ as weekend evening anchor. Previously, he was morning anchor at KRGV in Harlingen.
- Napoli Management Group.

Steve Soliz joins KOB in Albuquerque as primary anchor. Previously, he was weekend anchor and reporter in Harlingen, TX.
- Napoli Management Group.

Michelle Vargas is promoted to morning anchor at KGBT in Harlingen, TX. Michelle began as an MMJ and was promoted to weekend anchor in July of this year.
- Napoli Management Group.

Anayeli Ruiz makes a huge market jump as she joins WMAQ and Telemundo in Chicago as a reporter. She’s been an MMJ/reporter for KRIS in Corpus Christi for the last three years.
- Napoli Management Group.

Matt Yurus moves to Dallas to be the first digital news video anchor for the CBS Television Stations division. Previously, he produced and reported at WUSA in Washington DC.
- Napoli Management Group.

Mary Coleman starts her news management career as Managing Editor at KION in Monterey. Previously, Mary was a reporter in Amarillo, Texas.
- Napoli Management Group.

Taylor Hemness joins KSHB as morning anchor in Kansas City from primary anchor KLTV in Tyler, TX.
- The NWT Group

Alexandria Housden starts at KOCO in Oklahoma City as anchor/reporter from KTEN in Denison, Texas.
- The NWT Group

REMEMBERING

Remembering Former Houston Press Editor Jim Simmon.

Longtime KENS general manager Wayne Kearl, died days before his 99th birthday.

Long-time Austin radio sports personality Sean Adams dies.

Rebecca Spera announces baby #2

UPDATE FEBRUARY 20, 2018
Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

KTRK abc13 traffic anchor Rebecca Spera has announced baby number two.

"We feel so blessed and are grateful to have a sibling for Gray," she wrote on Facebook. "We're looking for boy names!"

Gray was born in January of 2016.

In the post, Spera, Gray and husband Eric Valentino are fishing.

The family are next to a small chalkboard that reads, "Fishin' Buddy due Feb 2018."

UPDATE FEBRUARY 20, 2018
Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

Rebecca Spera returns from maternity leave

KTRK abc13 afternoon traffic anchor Rebecca Spera returns from maternity leave with videos exploring post pregnancy life

Rebecca Spera

At the end of December, afternoon KTRK abc13 traffic anchor Rebecca Spera announced the arrival of little Gray James.

Now that March is here, Spera has returned to work and is creating some nice videos about her post birth thoughts and dealing with baby weight gain.

Hi Friends! Today was my first day back at work. Here's what I learned. 󾌴 #mondaymotivation
Posted by Rebecca Spera on Monday, March 21, 2016

Hey Everyone! Today was my first day back on the air, and while I've made a lot of progress getting back in shape, I only fit in 1/3 of my work dresses. So to make me feel more confident, I have eight tricks to look thinner. Which will you try?!
Posted by Rebecca Spera on Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Yay! Rebecca is back from maternity leave! ABC13-Ilona CarsonABC13-Erik Barajas
Posted by Casey Curry on Tuesday, March 22, 2016

(Thanks Robin)

All the new and disappearing faces on Houston TV screens in 2015

I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello

Remember years ago, like in 2005 when I first started writing this blog, when TV reporters and anchors put in decades on Houston TV?

It still happens in some cases, but with less regularity. Now it can be a matter of months and they are gone or out of the business in a blink of an eye.

Massive Texas media job moves through late 2014 right here

Chauncy Glover joins KTRK abc13 as anchor

Caitilin Espinosa to leave FOX 26 & going digital

Josh Chapin joins KHOU 11

Irene Sans leaves Telemundo Houston KTMD

Brandon Walker joins KPRC 2

Don Nelson announces KTRK abc13 departure

Andrew Horansky to leave KHOU for Cleveland's WKYC

Rebecca Spera becomes abc13 KTRK afternoon traffic anchor

Malini Basu leaves KHOU 11 for WFXT Boston

Crystal Ayala named Telemundo Houston KTMD Consumer Investigative Reporter

Lindsey Day joins FOX 26 KRIV

Radio One's Houston boss Doug Abernethy leaves for Entercom

Sonia Azad leaves KTRK abc13

Amy Bishop named News 88.7 KUHF arts and culture reporter

Sofia Ojeda joins KPRC 2 weekends

Adam Bennett joins KHOU 11 from KEYE Austin

Phillip Mena leaves KPRC for ABC News

Keli Rabon joins KTRK abc13 from KMGH

Jeremy Desel is leaving TV news

KHOU's Jack Acosta becomes KENS San Antonio news director

Maria Corrales gone from FOX 26 KRIV

Lily Jang & Shern-Min Chow alter KHOU 11 schedules

Kayla Ayres joins KPRC 2

Sharron Melton exits KTRK abc13

John Fenoglio joins KTRK abc13


Angela Chen departs KTRK abc13, joins FOX 26 KRIV

Jonathan Martinez joins KPRC 2 as weekend anchor

Elita Loresca joins KTRK abc13 after LA's KNBC 4

Karla Barguiarena exits abc13 KTRK

Cathy Hernandez joins KPRC 2

Mix 96.5 KHMX drops 'The Atom Smasher Morning Show'

Sara Donchey joins KPRC 2 from KRIS

Devi Dev promoted at 93.7 The Beat KQBT

Casey Curry and Travis Herzog to switch places on KTRK abc13

The Dave, Mahoney & DK Morning Show to hit Mix 96.5 KHMX

Pablo Alsina Joins KHOU 11

Courtney Fischer joins KTRK abc13

Media job moves across Texas since May 2015

Mayra Moreno joins KTRK abc13 from KENS 5

Craig Roberts returns to KPRC 2

Scarlett Fakhar joins FOX 26

Nate Griffin of SportsRadio 610 KILT joins FOX 26 as reporter

Irika Sargent to Chicago's WBBM & Vicente Arenas out at CBS News

Keli Rabon leaves KTRK abc13

September 2015 Texas media job moves

Texas TV & radio job moves for October 2015

Sonia Azad joins WFAA 8 after KTRK abc13

Houston morning show hosts embark on new careers after radio

Katie McCall to leave FOX 26 KRIV

Mayra Moreno is new abc13 KTRK weekend morning anchor

Lauren Tostenson joins KHOU 11

Mia Gradney named KHOU 11 5pm anchor

Karla Barguiarena working for ABC News One

Texas TV & radio job moves November 2015

KPRC 2's Mark Boyle and KTRK abc13's John Fenoglio say goodbye

Philip Bruce is leaving KHOU 11

Jake Reiner joins KPRC 2

Marla Carter joins KTRK abc13

Melissa Correa joins KHOU 11

Stephanie Whitfield joins KHOU 11

REMEMBERING

Houston traffic's Vikki Taylor loses cancer battle

RIP: Stevens and Pruett player Jake Ray aka "Tito"

TV anchors deliver and announce baby

KTRK abc13's Rebecca Spera delivers, while KPRC 2's Lauren Freeman announces baby #4!

Rebecca Spera

At the beginning of December, KPRC 2's Amy Davis returned from maternity leave, while KHOU 11's Grace White took it, and later on there was more Houston TV baby activity.

First up, KTRK abc13 afternoon traffic anchor Rebecca Spera announced the birth of her son!

"Introducing Gray James," Spera wrote. "He's named after the very special men in our families that we love so much."

Look for his name to be on the back of an LSU jersey one day! Spera and husband Eric Valentino were married in Galveston earlier in 2015.

Next up is KPRC 2 anchor Lauren Freeman who I assumed was pregnant from watching what was in my most read posts section.

Lauren Freeman

One my old posts about Freeman expecting a child jumped to the top of the charts as curious viewers were hitting Google to find out more on her apparent bump.

If you are self conscious do yourself a favor and never become a female television news anchor. 

Those TV news viewers seem to notice everything!

"Many of you have asked...we are expecting baby boy #4 in April," Freeman wrote. "We are thrilled!"

UPDATE
I just post this and find out KTRK abc13 morning anchor Samica Knight is pregnant too! Oh and get this, I also heard another anchor is pregnant rumor...stay tuned.

Well, I've been meaning to tell you something. Lol!Facebook Family ... My husband and I are expecting! We're so excited!

Posted by ABC13-Samica Knight on Monday, January 4, 2016

Hello, Friends! Remember that "looking good during labor" post the other day? Well, there is no such thing! I had...
Posted by Rebecca-ABC13 on Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Many of you have asked...we are expecting baby boy #4 in April. We are thrilled!
Posted by KPRC2 Lauren Freeman on Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Mayra Moreno is new abc13 KTRK weekend morning anchor

UPDATE AUGUST 26, 2018
Mayra Moreno to anchor new 3pm newscast on abc13 KTRK

Mayra Moreno replaces longtime anchor Elissa Rivas on KTRK abc13 weekend mornings

Mayra Moreno

Waterlogged KTRK abc13 viewers tuned in Halloween morning to find a TV trick or treat - a surprise new anchor.

That's right, new face Mayra Moreno, who I first blogged about last August, has come back home from KENS 5 San Antonio and made her official channel 13 weekend morning anchor chair debut.

Previously Moreno was an MMJ at KIAH 39 before NewsFix.

Apparently the bad street flooding played a trick on co-anchor Chauncy Glover and stalled his car, so Moreno started the Saturday morning broadcast by herself.

Lookie lookie! I made it! Also would like to welcome my new co-anchor @ABC13Mayra sorry you had to debut without me! pic.twitter.com/JAm3YlE2G5

— Chauncy Glover (@ChauncyONTV) October 31, 2015

Elissa Rivas

It was rumored that KTRK was looking for a new weekend morning anchor and Moreno would be that person when hired.

So now we know the truth.

That means longtime weekend morning anchor Elissa Rivas will not wake up viewers anymore on the weekend as she has been doing since 2003 (if I remember that start date correctly).

Apparently Rivas will be a reporter from now on as I have not heard if she will move on to anchor another show.

UPDATE
Since I posted this, I was reminded that Elissa Rivas has been filling for the expectant Rebecca Spera on afternoon traffic.

Rebecca Spera & hubby clearing lanes for baby

KTRK abc13 traffic anchor Rebecca Spera adding to new family

Rebecca Spera

After getting hitched earlier this year, Rebecca Spera is pregnant.

The 4pm KTRK abc13 traffic anchor broke the news today on Facebook:

BREAKING NEWS! A future football player joins our team in late 2015! I'll be coming to you all with lots of questions and much-needed advice over the next four months!!!

The former Live Well Network Mirror-Mirror host married former LSU football player Eric Valentino last March. That explains the future football player joining the team statement.

BREAKING NEWS! A future football player joins our team in late 2015! I'll be coming to you all with lots of questions...
Posted by Rebecca-ABC13 on Tuesday, August 18, 2015

(Thanks Robin)

Don Nelson's surprise birthday party [PHOTOS]

Don Nelson, one of Houston television's most popular stars, was totally stunned at his own birthday party

A grey and windy Saturday couldn't dampen the birthday party of former KTRK abc13 personality Don Nelson. Houston TV stars and other friends in attendance were waiting at the Palisade Palms in Galveston to surprise Nelson who just thought he was on a fishing trip.

It was a who's who of TV anchors including Dave Ward, Tom Koch, Samica Knight, Casey Curry, Sharron Melton, Melanie Lawson, Bob Allen, Frank Billingsley, Doug Miller, Rebecca Spera and a whole lot more.

The party was thrown by a group including Margaret O'Brien-Molina and Bob Martin aka "The Accountant to the Stars."

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS [MOBILE FRIENDLY]

RELATED
Don Nelson catches up with former KTRK abc13 anchors [PHOTOS]

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James Aitken Named GM OF KDAF Dallas
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Cumulus Appoints Tom Schurr As SVP/Operations
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KPRC 2's Andy Cerota heads to Africa to see how Houstonians are saving gorillas
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Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider selected for a prestigious fellowship in Germany
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Sonia Azad exits channel 13
Reporter Sonia Azad leaves KTRK abc13 after nearly six years.

Former News 92 web manager Kristy Gillentine moves to Drive West Communications.

Former Fox 26 KRIV sports producer Scotty Spiegel has joined KPRC in the same position. He worked at FOX for two years. Before that he worked at KHOU for almost three years.

KING OF THE MORNING: KTRK abc13 morning TV producer Michael King moved to the web side of the station.

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Shane Media CEO Ed Shane Has Passed Away
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Jack Woods, half of KLIF’s beloved ’60s morning show ‘Charlie & Harrigan,’ has died at 80
For a few years, beginning in 1962, Woods and Chapman were known to Dallas radio audiences as “Charlie & Harrigan,” stars at KLIF-AM (1190) when Gordon McLendon’s pop station reigned as Dallas’ most popular.

James Gates
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KTRK abc13's Rebecca Spera gets hitched
- Sam Malone does radio & video production with 512 New Media
- Enjoy Tuesday, KPRC says don't make plans after that
- PICS: Don Nelson's retirement party