Victor Jacobo joins CBS Chicago

Victor Jacobo joined CBS Chicago WBBM, where he once interned, as a reporter from KHOU 11  Houston in August 2025.  

"I’m beyond grateful to join this team in my hometown," Jacobo posted on X. "Wouldn’t be here today without the love and support of family and friends. Excited to tell Chicago’s stories!"

Admittedly, I missed Jacobo's channel 11 departure, so if anyone writes about it after me, then they really suck! We'll be keeping tally too.

Jacobo joined KHOU in July 2023 after several years in Wisconsin, where he worked for CBS 58 WDJT and Telemundo Wisconsin WYTU-LD in Milwaukee. There, he served as a bilingual general assignment and Capitol Bureau reporter.

Earlier in his career, Jacobo worked as a producer at News 3 Now WISC in Madison, Wisconsin, and as a field producer for WXYZ 7 Action News in Detroit.

In March 2023, he was named a finalist for the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association’s Young Professional of the Year Award.

A graduate of Marquette University and Libertyville High School, his passion for broadcasting first began through his high school’s TV club, where he called play-by-play for local sports events.

Life update: It’s a blessing and a dream come true to say today was my first day working at @cbschicago.
I’m beyond grateful to join this team in my hometown.
Wouldn’t be here today without the love and support of family and friends.
Excited to tell Chicago’s stories! pic.twitter.com/ZsjqAAb0wI

— Victor Jacobo (@victorjacobo_) August 19, 2025

(Thanks, Taylor!)

Alex Bozarjian leaves ABC13 Houston

Alex Bozarjian has left ABC13 Houston KTRK as her reporter bio has been removed from the station's "News Team" page as of August 2025.

I first wrote in May 2025 that Bozarjian apparently had not been on an Eyewitness Newscast since March. 

- Mayra Moreno returns to ABC13 Houston

Bozarjian joined Channel 13 Houston in August 2023 from 7 Action News WXYZ Detroit, where she worked as a nightside reporter.

Before that, she reported for WSAV News 3 in Savannah, Georgia, where she served as a multimedia journalist, fill-in anchor, and producer. While at WSAV, she gained national attention after a male runner struck her on the backside during a live report at a local race.

A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Bozarjian previously interned at WFTV Channel 9 and News 6 WKMG in Orlando.

Where is Alex Bozarjian?

ABC13 KTRK Houston viewers are starting to hit me up on the whereabouts of reporter Alex Bozarjian.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2025
Alex Bozarjian leaves ABC13 Houston

What started as a few emails has turned into a flood.

I do not know where she has been since March 2025, when her bio says she filed her last report.

As for social media, I couldn't find any updates on any account in quite some time.

I am writing this post to let you know that I am aware of Bozarjian's absence. Stay tuned as we learn more.

Bozarjian joined Channel 13 in Houston from  7 Action News WXYZ Detroit in August 2023.

She previously worked for WSAV News 3 in Savannah, Georgia, as a multimedia journalist (MMJ), fill-in anchor, and fill-in producer.

The University of Central Florida grad interned for WFTV Channel 9 and News 6 WKMG Orlando.

Bill Spencer returns to KPRC 2 Houston

Before I could even write the post "Where is Bill Spencer?" the missing KPRC 2 Houston investigative reporter returned to work. 

Tuesday, anchor Andy Cerota broke the news on Instagram, "BREAKING NEWS- BILL SPENCER IS BACK! Welcome back Spence."

The KPRC 2 Investigates team recently won a duPont-Columbia Award. And after seeing the "welcome back" signs in honor of Spencer's plaid-fueled triumphant return, they may be in line for another award (see below). 

I recently started receiving inquiries from Channel 2 viewers about Spencer's whereabouts.

They told me he had been off the air since early 2025, which matches up with his last story on the station's website.

Spencer joined KPRC in 2013 from WXYZ Detroit's "Call for Action," where he had worked since 1998 as Chief Consumer Investigative Reporter.

RELATED
Why he cut his ties

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Andy Cerota (@kprc2andycerota)

Shelley Childers returns to abc13 Houston

Shelley Childers left her reporter position with abc13 KTRK Houston back in July, but she is already back on the channel 13 airwaves, for a short time.

Here is what Childers posted on Instagram:

"First day at my new (old) job. 

The folks here are super nice and welcoming. 

I think I’ll fit in. 

You can catch me filling-in on Ch. 13 for the next few months."

Childers joined KTRK back in 2018 from Detroit's WXYZ. 

When Childers quit, new hires Kevin Ozebek and Jiovanni Lieggi joined the team.

Chauncy Glover also left abc13 Houston later joining CBS Los Angeles 2 KCBS and KCAL 9.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shelley Childers (@shelleychilders)

One Year After Eyewitness News Creator’s Death, Story of Houston Friendship Surface

Wendy Granato and Michael Quinn

September 29, 2023 marks one year of the passing of Al Primo, the man who created the Eyewitness News concept for the ABC Owned and Operated television stations in the mid to late 1960s. 

Former KNWS-TV51 anchor Michael Quinn tells us for the first time about his unique low-key friendship with the ‘Father of Eyewitness News’, Al Primo:

I never met Al Primo, but we talked several times a year. Only a few people knew that I had a connection with Al. 

We became friends over the phone – either he would call me…or I would call him. We would talk about Detroit and WXYZ-TV, Channel 7, where that market’s legendary Bill Bonds once worked for several decades…or his time in New York when he ran the news operation for WABC, Channel 7, with anchors Bill Buetel and Roger Grimsby…and, there was stories about Philadelphia and KYW-TV where Mort Crim worked (where Al first implemented the Eyewitness News concept—KYW rose to #1 in the ratings—he would tweak the format when he left for WABC-TV), Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco…and of course we talked about Houston and KTRK-TV, our city’s own Channel 13, where we have our own legendary Dave Ward, now retired. Dave Ward and Mort Crim are the only two original Eyewitness News anchors left for us to honor and pick their brains for advice about television news.

How did our unique friendship begin? 

Al Primo and I connected in 2013 on social media – then he called. He enjoyed talking about television. I was very nervous...this was the guy newsrooms around the country need to thank for starting faster-paced newscasts, ‘happy talk’ between anchors, better use of sound bites…the list goes on. When he called the second time, I was at ease. Year after year, we talked about the television news industry.

As many know, one of my long-time friends is former TV51 anchor Wendy Granato…now President and General Manager of KTRK-TV, Channel 13. Every year, I like to do something different for Wendy’s birthday –and for two- years in a row, once while Wendy was still Vice President of News and once as President and General Manager – I still remember where I was, in my SUV, driving up Kirby, I just crossed Richmond Avenue, Al was returning my call, “Al I have a favor to ask”…I had asked Al Primo to call her on her birthday. Al was happy to have been asked to do it. This is the kind of guy he was – I figured he had guided the ABC O&O’s in the late 1960s and into the 1970s – it would just be a nice gesture.

He really was the nicest person in the world—and he would call me back to tell me that he had called Wendy to wish her ‘Happy Birthday’. In August of 2022, I had checked in on him – his daughter had texted me from Al’s cell number that he was sick. Al Primo died on September 29, 2022.

It was really a great experience to know the man who thought up the concept of Eyewitness News. I was the kid who would draw news sets when I was age 4 and 5. There were drawings all over my room. At that age it was all I ever wanted to do. In college, to interned at WXYZ-TV, Channel 7 and to work years later at KTRK-TV, Channel 13 – and for a ten-year span to know the man who helped create what we see as modern-day television news, Eyewitness News. Al, thank you for your friendship and I know Wendy appreciated those kind birthday calls, too.

As the kid who drew hundreds of news sets, and dreams of being a television news anchorman…and made it...from me to you – may you rest in peace, my friend. I miss our conversations.

 

Alex Bozarjian joins abc13 Houston

Alex Bozarjian is joining abc13 KTRK Houston from 7 Action News WXYZ Detroit where she was a reporter.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2025
Alex Bozarjian leaves ABC13 Houston

Here is what Bozarjian tweeted:

"After two years in Detroit I’m back on the move. 

This career is full of heartbreak because you never really feel ready to say goodbye.

I have accepted a reporter position at ABC 13 in Houston.

Thank you for everything, Detroit. I’m excited for the next chapter."

Bozarjian joined WXYZ in August 2021 (FUN FACT: just like KTRK is today, WXYZ was a former ABC owned and operated station in the past and was sold around the same time as Houston's ABC owned 97 Rock KSSR).  BTW, shout out to former WXYZ news director Tom Rosenbaum who I had the honor of working for back in the day. 

It was pointed out by one of my readers that Bozarjian is most likely taking the spot left by Shelly Childers who also came to channel 13 from WXYZ Detroit.  

Now if Bozarjian looks or her name sounds familiar, it's because she was part of several national news story. 

Before Detroit, Bozarjian worked for WSAV News 3 Savannah, Georgia as a multi-media journalist (MMJ)/fill-in anchor/fill-in producer.

As WSAV reported back in December 2019, while Bozarjian was reporting live from an area run, a male runner hit her on her backside as he moved past her location.

To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better. https://t.co/PRLXkBY5hn

— Alex Bozarjian (@alexbozarjiantv) December 7, 2019

Bozarjian talked about the incident on CBS Mornings (embedded below).

The runner pleaded guilty to sexual battery in 2020.

Recently in April of 2023, Bozarjian made more national news on how she handled a viewer's comment.

Before staring her television news career, the University of Central Florida (welcome to the BIG XII), Nicholson School of Communication grad reported from Cuba for the school's Knightly Latino.  The fluent Spanish speaker also interned for WFTV Channel 9 and News 6 WKMG both in Orlando.

After two years in Detroit I’m back on the move.

This career is full of heartbreak because you never really feel ready to say goodbye.

I have accepted a reporter position at ABC 13 in Houston.

Thank you for everything, Detroit. I’m excited for the next chapter. pic.twitter.com/7ictGFg0Gk

— Alex Bozarjian (@alexbozarjiantv) August 10, 2023

(Thanks Shad!)

Shelley Childers leaves abc13 Houston

Shelley Childers has left her reporter position with abc13 Houston KTRK as of July 14, 2023 to spend more time with her family from what I hear.

ALSO LEAVING ABC13 HOUSTON
- Chauncy Glover leaves abc13 Houston
- Patrina Adger joins KFDM News Beaumont

RELATED
- Jiovanni Lieggi joins abc13 Houston
- abc13 Houston could be for sale?

Here is what Childers posted on Instagram:

"5.5 years ago I walked into the @abc13houston newsroom and fell-in-love.

I fell in love with my colleagues, with our mission and the legacy that is ABC13.

Did you know our studio is the prototype for the Astrodome?

I buried myself in the work to make Houston a better place. To give a platform to injustices and a voice to the voiceless.

Working in this newsroom, with some of the best people in TV news was a childhood dream - now fulfilled.

Today is my last day with @abc13houston - a decision that did not come easily.

Thank you for tuning in, for supporting my work and following the stories - both good & bad - that make Houston our home.

I hope I made you proud."

She recently returned from maternity leave after the birth of her third child. 

Childers joined abc13 Houston in 2018 from WXYZ Detroit.  

The native Houstonian previously worked as a reporter/anchor/bureau chief for KRGV Channel 5 News in the Rio Grande Valley. 

- Why Shelley Childers looked different in 2020

She started in TV news with CBS 7 KOSA Odessa/Midland as an anchor/reporter.

The Katy Taylor High School grad is also a graduate of Michigan State University.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shelley Childers (@shelleyabc13)

Victor Jacobo joins KHOU 11 Houston

Victor Jacobo is joining KHOU 11 Houston mikemcguff.com has learned.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2025
Victor Jacobo joins CBS Chicago

RELATED
- Troy Kless joins KHOU 11
- Deevon Rahming joins KHOU 11 Houston

Jacobo comes from CBS 58 WDJT and Telemundo Wisconsin WYTU-LD Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he is a bilingual statehouse and political reporter.

In March 2023, Jacobo was named as a finalist for the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Young Professional of the Year Award. 

He started with WDJT in June 2018 as a producer and moved to a reporter position in January 2019. 

Before that, Jacobo was a producer for News 3 Now WISC Madison, Wisconsin and a WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit field producer. 

The Marquette University grad is originally from the Windy City and interned with CBS 2 Chicago WBBM.

CBS Station innovation lab to be based at CBS 11 KTVT DFW

 CBS Stations today announced plans to create a local news innovation lab that will be based at KTVT-TV and independent sister station KTXA-TV, the ViacomCBS-owned stations in Dallas-Fort Worth. 

The lab will serve as the home of a curated team of CBS News and Stations employees including several new hires, who will be empowered to experiment with next-generation storytelling, such as data journalism, and test new products, workflows and production models for the future. The announcement was made by Wendy McMahon, President and Co-head, CBS News and Stations.

Award-winning local news executive Chad Cross will serve as a senior leader at the lab as Vice President, Content Development, CBS Stations. In this newly created role, Cross will report to CBS Stations President Adrienne Roark and work closely with colleagues both at CBS News and CBS Stations to facilitate storytelling across the entire organization. He will be responsible for working directly with CBS Stations’ local newsrooms across the country, collaborating with the existing news, investigative and special projects teams, while also building and leading a team of journalists who will support original, next-generation storytelling across CBS News and Stations’ platforms. The unit overseen by Cross will develop new and unique franchises that will investigate topical issues that connect with local and national audiences.

Veteran CBS Stations executive Andrea Parquet-Taylor will transition from her current role as vice president and news director at KCBS-TV and independent sister station KCAL-TV, the ViacomCBS-owned stations in Los Angeles, to Dallas-Fort Worth and lead the first initiative that will be developed at the lab.

As Vice President, CW and Independent Stations News Director, Parquet-Taylor will report to CBS Stations President Tom Canedo and be responsible for overseeing the launch and production of hybrid, local-to-national multiplatform newscasts for several of the Company’s CW, independent and MyNetwork TV-affiliated stations. The markets served will include New York (WLNY), Philadelphia (WPSG), Dallas-Fort Worth (KTXA), San Francisco (KBCW), Atlanta (WUPA), Boston (WSBK), Seattle (KSTW), Tampa (WTOG), Detroit (WKBD) and Miami (WBFS). These programs will include both hyper-local content that will be produced by multi-skilled journalists on the ground in each market, as well as content produced by team members at KTVT and the lab.

CBS Stations will be supporting Cross and Parquet-Taylor’s teams by hiring additional employees both in Dallas-Fort Worth and at local stations. Specific job description information will be released in the near future.

“Following up on the recent announcement of our plans to create from scratch the newsroom of the future for WWJ-TV in Detroit, we are excited to continue to aggressively pursue new and exciting concepts in the new year through the creation of our local news innovation lab,” McMahon said. “We are putting significant resources and investments behind this commitment to be on the leading edge of innovation, as we continue to reimagine how CBS Stations will serve our audiences across all of our markets and all of our CBS News and Stations platforms in the months and years to come.”

McMahon added: “Adrienne, Tom and Raquel Amparo (CBS Dallas-Fort Worth president and general manager) have done a terrific job of conceptualizing and bringing our innovation lab to life. And we are excited to both welcome Chad to our team and promote Andrea to serve more markets in a news leadership role.”

Cross is joining CBS Stations after having served as the news director at KXAN-TV, the NBC-affiliated station in Austin, since 2012. While at KXAN, Cross and his colleagues have established a nationally recognized investigative team that has received national Edward R. Murrow Awards, Walter Cronkite Awards, an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, an Investigative Reporters and Editors Award, the Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award and National Headliners Awards.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Chad’s credentials joining us as we establish the foundation of our innovation lab,” Roark said. “Chad and our team of local journalists will serve an invaluable role for our stations. They will look beyond the short-term news agenda and dig deeper to investigate and bring to light stories that haven’t been told, and provide a voice to members of the communities we serve that are often overlooked. Chad’s unit will also leverage data and technology to find new ways to present solution-oriented reporting that affects change and drives impact.”

“I am excited to join CBS Stations and have this significant opportunity to help create premium investigative news reporting and synergy across the recently combined CBS News and Stations organization,” Cross said. “I feel fortunate to be pursuing my lifelong passion, which is a journey that began at what is now the ViacomCBS-owned station in Denver (KCNC-TV). I toured the station during a fourth-grade field trip and decided that day I was going to work in local news.”

Parquet-Taylor has been a member of the CBS Stations family since February 2017. Before assuming her current role as Vice President and News Director at KCBS and KCAL in December 2020, she spent almost four years at KTVT and KTXA. She initially served as the Dallas-Fort Worth duopoly’s Vice President and News Director and then was promoted to Vice President and Station Manager in June 2018.

Prior to joining CBS Stations, Parquet-Taylor served as the news director at WNCN-TV, the CBS affiliate in Raleigh-Durham; WXYZ-TV in Detroit; WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV in Raleigh-Durham and WMAR-TV in Baltimore.

Parquet-Taylor will continue to serve as News Director at KCBS-KCAL until a successor has been hired.

“Andrea is one of the most accomplished and respected news directors at CBS Stations,” Canedo said. “Her many years of experience as a newsroom leader at stations across the country, her creative instincts and her collaborative spirit will undoubtedly serve her and all of her colleagues extremely well as she takes on her new responsibilities.”

“It’s an honor to continue my journey as a member of the CBS Stations family, by getting this opportunity to return to Dallas-Fort Worth and work on an everyday basis with colleagues in 10 different markets, to do something new and quite exciting,” said Parquet-Taylor. “It has been a pleasure to have spent the past 13 months with our team in Los Angeles. I am so proud of what we have accomplished, especially considering all the challenges we have faced during the pandemic. Before leaving Los Angeles, I plan to take my facemask off long enough for my colleagues and friends to see the smile that’s been on my face since the day I arrived, and feel the gratitude I have for all of them.”

(This post taken from a CBS press release)

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

Andrea Parquet-Taylor named vice president and news director at KCBS-TV, KCAL-TV, CBSN Los Angeles and CBSLA.com.

Veteran local television and news executive Andrea Parquet-Taylor has been named vice president and news director at CBS Television Stations’ local broadcast and digital properties in Los Angeles. The announcement was made today by Jay Howell, President and General Manager of KCBS-TV, KCAL-TV, CBSN Los Angeles and CBSLA.com.

Parquet-Taylor assumes this new role after having served as vice president and station manager at KTVT-TV and KTXA-TV, the ViacomCBS-owned stations in Dallas-Fort Worth, since June 2018. Prior to that, she was vice president and news director at KTVT/KTXA since February 2017.

Prior to joining CBS Television Stations, Parquet-Taylor served as the news director at WNCN-TV, the CBS affiliate in Raleigh-Durham; WXYZ-TV in Detroit; WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV in Raleigh-Durham and WMAR-TV in Baltimore.

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Andrea since our time together at Media General, when I was in the corporate office and she was the news director at WNCN,” Howell said. “She is an outstanding news executive who never rests on her laurels, is highly regarded by the people who have worked with her and is always looking to break big stories. I am thrilled to have her join us here in Southern California and lead our news department.”

Peter Dunn, President and CEO, CBS Television Stations, added: “Andrea is a rising star within our station group. Our KCBS/KCAL/CBSN Los Angeles team is one of the biggest and finest local broadcast/digital news organizations in the country. They deserve an outstanding leader in the newsroom. I look forward to supporting Jay and Andrea in their efforts to get the most out of the considerable talent and resources we have in Los Angeles.”

“I am grateful for this tremendous opportunity to be part of the CBS Los Angeles family,” Parquet-Taylor said. “I appreciate the support I have received from Peter Dunn and Gary Schneider (KTVT/KTXA President and General Manager) during the past three-plus years. And while I will miss my friends and colleagues in Dallas-Fort Worth, I am excited to have a chance to reunite with Jay and work with everyone at CBS 2 and KCAL 9.”

Parquet-Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in communications arts and sciences from Michigan State University. 

(Post taken from a CBS release)

Comedian edits himself into TV news story

"We Dem Arby's BoyZ" comedy piece edited into old WDIV Detroit Local 4 story


If you saw this TV news story, you might think it could be real.

It's surely edited to look real.

In fact, it is taken from a real Local 4 WDIV Detroit story (WDIV is the Graham Media Group sister-station to KPRC 2 Houston and KSAT 12 San Antonio).

RELATED
- KPRC 2 story used in YouTube comedian's video
- Two Houston TV reporters remixed by famed PBS remixer

The giveaway for me is that the story clocks in at around 3:18. No consultant would let that happen anymore for a first block, non-sweeps crime story!

The video has apparently fooled some radio station websites.

Here is the real story as reported by Steve Garagiola in 2017.

The above edited comedic update was released in February 2020.

Garagiola's opening standup where he's using his fingers as a pretend gun and pointing it at the audience already sets up the scene for the new comedy version. For those in Houston, you might remember years ago when channel 2 reporters were told to use more props in their live shots and standups to make things more exciting.

The person behind these re-edits is YouTube user "BowserVids," which is run by filmmaker Andrew Bowser, who has worked at such places as Nerdist. This appears to be a character he created either called "Weird Guy" or "Onyx the Fortuitous."

The above WDIV story was not the first time he has worked the character into a TV news story.

In 2016, Bowser also worked his magic on WXYZ Detroit.

The station actually wrote a story about the situation entitled No, we didn't interview "Weird Arby's Guy."

Shelley Childers baby gender reveal

Earlier this summer abc13 KTRK reporter Shelley Childers announced baby number two and now we have more details on this developing story!

UPDATE JULY 2023

Shelley Childers leaves abc13 Houston

FEBRUARY 2023

Shelley Childers gives birth to baby #3

"Oh Boy 💙 The results are in," Childers posted on Instagram. "We are so excited to take on this brand new adventure."

Childers and her husband, Doug, are featured in the image surrounded by blue smoke!

This wasn't the first creative gender reveal for the couple.

Back in 2017, when Childers was as a reporter for WXYZ 7 Detroit, her sister was the only one to know the first baby's gender. So at the big event, Childers' sister had the couple open a box and launch pink balloons.

View this post on Instagram

Oh Boy 💙 The results are in! We are so excited to take on this brand new adventure 🤗 . . . . #itsaboy💙 #genderreveal #babynumber2 #ohboy #babyadventure

A post shared by Shelley Childers (@shelleyabc13) on Aug 21, 2019 at 3:35pm PDT

Shelley Childers annouces baby 2

UPDATE JULY 2023

Shelley Childers leaves abc13 Houston

UPDATE AUGUST 23, 2019
Shelley Childers baby gender reveal

View this post on Instagram

New city... new assignment... 🤗👶🏻 . . . . #abc13houston #babyonboard #pregnantonassignment #fieldreporter #shelleyinthefield #motherof2

A post shared by Shelley Childers (@shelleyabc13) on Jul 12, 2019 at 2:50pm PDT

I'm late on this one, because it looks like when she posted the news, I was in Las Vegas interviewing Melissa Etheridge for my 101 KLOL documentary, but abc13 KTRK reporter Shelley Childers has announced baby number two!

FEBRUARY 2023

Shelley Childers gives birth to baby #3

Childers held her daughter's gender reveal back in Houston while she was reporting for WXYZ Detroit. Click the link for the video.

She returned her hometown station of channel 13 to report at the beginning of 2018.

Before Detroit, Childers worked in South Texas at KRGV Weslaco as an anchor/reporter and KOSA in Odessa/Midland as an anchor/reporter.

Speaking of 13, morning traffic anchor Katherine Whaley has left our screens to prepare for her upcoming delivery.

RELATED
Yes, 7 KPRC babies are coming in 2019!

(Thanks Robin!)

Texas #TVnews and radio job moves July 2018

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

CBS has named Andrea Parquet-Taylor VP and station manager of KTVT CBS 11.

Due to “family reasons,” NBC5 KXAS anchor/reporter Cory Smith will be leaving at the end of this year. Laura Harris from WFTS Tampa Bay will replace him.

Russ McCaskey renews his agreement as morning anchor at the CBS owned KTVT-TV in Dallas, Russ’s home town.
- Napoli Management Group

Allie Spillyards is promoted to staff reporter at KXAS in Dallas. She had been a freelance reporter for the station.
- Napoli Management Group

HOUSTON

Back in January I blogged that WXYZ Detroit reporter Shelley Childers was joining abc13 KTRK. Well, we can guess that was a temporary position as her TV agent, Mort Meisner Associates, reports she has officially joined the Disney ABC Television Group station as a General Assignment Reporter/MMJ.

KHOU 11 News reporter Brandi Smith receives humanitarian award.

Natasha Geigel renews her agreement at KRIV in Houston as a Reporter.
- NWT Group

Associated Press reporter, Michael Graczyk, who is based out of Houston, is retiring.

Former KIII Corpus Christi news director Oscar Garcia has been named FOX 26 KRIV Nightside Executive Producer.

Aurora Losada joins KPRC 2 as Digital Executive Producer from Houston Public Media.

- 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

AROUND TEXAS

KCEN Waco, Temple, Killeen named Texas Today morning anchor Kris Radcliffe, weekend anchor Chris Rogers and reporter Emani Payne to new positions.

Former KRIS anchor Stephania Jimenez heads to WCAU Philadelphia as morning anchor.

KTAB anchor-reporter Stacie Wirmel adds 10pm news to her duties.

Former KVIA ABC-7 news anchor Rick Cabrera is replacing Rick Bonart on the City Plan Commission.

KXII promotes sports anchor-reporter Jeremy Thomas to morning anchor.

Alex Wilkins jumps 130 markets and becomes a News/Sports Reporter at WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia from KAVU in Victoria, Texas.
- 3 KINGS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC

CANDACE MARTINO bumps 37 markets and becomes a Sports Reporter/Anchor at WJAC-TV in Johnstown, Pennsylvania from KMID in Odessa, Texas.
- 3 KINGS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC

REMEMBERING

Longtime KDFW 4 anchor, reporter Walter Evans dies at 86.

Veteran KCEN-TV broadcaster James K. "Jim" Ham died over the weekend and leaving a legacy of local news coverage that was a pathway for others who followed.

Mike Friedrich joins KUTV Salt Lake City as news director

UPDATE
After three years in Annapolis, Maryland, Mike Friedrich joins KUTV Salt Lake City as news director in 2021 he announced on Facebook.

---

Just as KPRC 2 claims May 2018 sweeps victory across the board (more on that later), we learn that assistant news director Mike Friedrich is moving on.

"I am moving to Annapolis, Maryland in a few weeks," Friedrich told mikemcguff.com. "I lived in the Mid-Atlantic region for nearly 15 years. I am looking forward to living 10 minutes from the Chesapeake Bay and having a four hour drive to see my family in Pittsburgh, where I am from originally."

Not only it is a geographic move for Friedrich, but he's moving on from the TV news life and changing careers.

"Houston is an amazing city, the friendships I made here have been phenomenal and KPRC is not only the best station to work for in Houston, if not the country, it's been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career," Friedrich told me. "Our staff has some of the most hard-working, creative, and innovative people, I have had the pleasure to work with and lead. Dave Strickland has been an amazing boss and mentor to me."

Rhonda Errer LaVelle's promotion from channel 2 assistant news director to the news director job brought Friedrich to Houston in 2014 to assume her then vacant role (LaVelle left KPRC for WXYZ Detroit in 2016).

The award winning Friedrich previously worked as an executive producer for WJLA Washington, DC. He's also worked at WJZ Baltimore and CNN Newsource.

Friedrich explains he did not take his decision to move lightly. This life-altering change is putting him where he wants to be in the next five to 10 years.

"For me, it's just time for me to blaze my own trail doing something else," he added. "After I complete my move and finish my 'summer school,' I plan on taking the rest of the summer off, and getting started after Labor Day."

So stay tuned right here to find out what Friedrich's career move will be when he is ready to make an official announcement.

Shelley Childers joins KTRK abc13

Houston native Shelley Childers returns to the Bayou City to work at KTRK abc13 as a general assignment reporter her agent reports.

UPDATE JULY 2023

Shelley Childers leaves abc13 Houston

FEBRUARY 2023

Shelley Childers gives birth to baby #3

While spending most of her career in Texas, Childers left the Lone Star State in 2016 for a gig with WXYZ Detroit where she has been up until now.

Before the Motor City, Childers worked in South Texas at KRGV Weslaco as an anchor/reporter.

Back in 2009, she got her start at KOSA in Odessa/Midland as an anchor/reporter.

She might be a Texan, but Childers clearly likes the Great Lakes State since she not only worked at WXYZ, but also graduated from Michigan State University.


(Thanks Taylor)

Bill Spencer picks up Marvin Zindler mantle for KPRC

Bill Spencer with anchor Dominique Sachse

In the past I declared FOX 26 KRIV's Isiah Carey The Factor to be the new Marvin Zindler or at least as close as we can get to the original that is.

I still stand by that, but there is room for another.

Lately a Houston TV candidate has really attempted to pick up the Zindler torch.

In fact, this one was inspired by seeing him on TV long ago.

Bill Spencer, who has been reporting at KPRC 2 since 2013, was previously a big time consumer reporter at WXYZ in Detroit.

By the way, that power house Motown station has some of the coolest call letters ever!

If you have ever watched his brand of news reporting, then you know Spencer has a certain kind of flair.

"Every anchor job, every reporter job, I want to be completely different than everyone else," Spencer told mikemcguff.com. "I am going to try to be a showman, I want to present the facts accuratley, and make it as interesting as possible."

Like Zindler, Spencer is now back to his favorite style of reporting with "Spencer Solves It."

"I help needy people in all kinds of situations they could not handle on their own," Spencer told mikemcguff.com

When consumer/investigative reporter Amy Davis moved to mornings, Spencer's bosses handed over the station's "Restaurant Report Card" segment his way.

Spencer said he wanted to make the segment his own. Especially in the city that helped put television news restaurant reports on the map.

"I'm going to pump this segment up as much as I can with fast editing and pack it with personalisty, use my voice as wild as I can," Spencer told mikemcguff.com.

A cub reporter in the 1980s, Spencer first saw the Marvin Zindler experience while working for Big 2 KMID Midland, Texas.

"I instantly loved him, it blew me away, he was so fascinating to watch, such a show man," Spencer told mikemcguff.com. "His thick white hair, sunglasses and super tan. To me, he was Elvis Presley on television news and I loved him."

Spencer's loved for the outlandish continued while working with legendary anchor Bill Bonds at WXYZ. He adds Bonds was a similar iconic character in the Motor City as Zinder was to Space City.

When it came time to reconfigure the restaurant report, Spencer wanted to go as crazy as channel 2 management would let him.

And like "Slime in the Ice Machine" and "good golf, good tennis or whatever makes you happy," Spencer wanted a signature tag out for the story.

He thought of fist bumps, karate moves, pretending to tear of his shirt like a tennis champion and then it just happened.

"Booyah!"

Spencer just yelled the phrase out at the end of his report one night. He doesn't even know how he came up with it.

Over the next 24 hours, he received around 60 viewer emails saying how much they liked it. His bosses loved it too.

So it stuck.

Beyond theatrics, in the last two years of producing the restaurant segment, Spencer has brought viewers video inside featured restaurants showing the inspection team in action.

He also wanted to bring more information to the audience by working with the city health department to explain what the violations mean and what kind inspectors find most often.

Do yourself a favor and watch his recent report on slice in the ice machine. Over the years you might have forgotten just how icky this stuff really is.

And like Zindler's Action 13 Blue Ribbon Award, Spencer is handing out his A-Plus Award for, "a perfect, spotless restaurant inspection report."

Overall, Spencer realizes the actual content of a Houston restaurant report is kind of depressing for the audience.

Who wants to see their favorite eatery on a violation list?

But with the helpful information and awareness these segments provide, Spencer realizes you have to mix the medicine with a little sugar.

"It's something that should be entertaining," Spencer says.

A guy who knew Zindler well is KPRC 2 news director Dave Strickland. He was Zindler's boss for many years at abc13 KTRK.

"It’s my way of paying homage to Marvin," Strickland told mikemcguff.com. "We aren’t trying to copy him but I know he would be smiling with approval."

Now at least someone has tried to continue the good work Zindler started all those decades ago.

You can catch Spencer's Restaurant Report Thursdays at 6pm on KPRC 2.

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- Former KTRK 13 staffers talk Marvin Zindler's legacy (PHOTOS)
- Remembering Houston's Marvin Zindler

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.