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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Greg Groogan. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Greg Groogan. Sort by date Show all posts

Thursday, March 31, 2016

FOX 26's Greg Groogan explains “What’s Your Point?”

FOX 26 “What’s Your Point?” host Greg Groogan and station VP/General Manager, D’Artagnan Bebel talk new Houston political show

Greg Groogan
Greg Groogan
FOX 26 KRIV is pushing the Houston TV boundaries with a new show that takes over the second half hour of its 5pm news every Thursday.

“What’s Your Point?” is an informative and lively look at politics with a rotating panel, but don't just expect to only find the usual political talking heads.

So far, guests have included diverse viewpoints from Wayne Dolcefino to Breakfast Klub owner Marcus Davis

Host Greg Groogan and station VP/General Manager D’Artagnan Bebel answered my questions about the show which debuted a few months ago.

Mike McGuff: I've seen the show branded as, "not your grandfather's Sunday morning talk show!" What makes your show different than a "Meet the Press?"

D’Artagnan Bebel: Attitude

Greg Groogan: Frankly, our panelists are actually enjoying themselves. We offer them the freedom to leave diplomacy at the door. The result is an informed, often passionate, exchange of opinion from folks who care about this community and this country. So far they have disagreed without being disagreeable and that’s a rare and important quality.

Mike McGuff: Why is a local show like this needed in Houston?

D’Artagnan Bebel: I’ve always believed that if we are going to be in the business of local broadcasting, we should be in the business of more locally originated programming. “What’s Your Point?”, fits the bill of locally originated, with a group diverse locally-known personalities that serve up commentary from OUR communities perspective on national, regional and local politics as a foundation, and so much more.

Greg Groogan: Because action, whether at the ballot box or within the community, starts with knowledge and knowledge begins with honest discussion. The goal here is engagement and triggering a thousand or more conversations with the issues addressed by our cast. If “What’s Your Point?” gets people talking to one another at water coolers or over breakfast tables than we have succeeded and Houston has a chance to be better for it.….and we stay employed.

Mike McGuff: How did you come up with the idea for the show?

D’Artagnan Bebel: We wanted to capitalize on the unprecedented and history-making levels of interest and national discourse surrounding the “circus” of the presidential primary race.

Mike McGuff: What have been some of your favorite topics/moments so far?

Greg Groogan: The extraordinary and, often bizarre, quality of the Republican Presidential nomination process has been a virtual feast. When the size of male sexual anatomy is involved in the process picking the next leader of the free world, life is good at “What’s Your Point?” Our “Bones of Contention” segment has been a blast, discussing the poisoning of Flint, Michigan, Beyoncé’s racial commentary, Iranian Nukes, Planned Parenthood indictments, the list goes on. An unexpected success has been the segment we call “Tell Us What We Missed?” It gives our viewers the sense of snagging inside intel and I’ve yet to walk away from a show without learning something new.

Some of the guests that have appeared on the show:

Legendary Investigative Reporter turned Media consultant, Wayne Dolcefino
Houston Attorney and feisty progressive commentator, Nyanza Moore
Well known writer, educator and Latino activist, Tony Diaz
Republican strategist and national campaign veteran, Jessica Colon
Conservative Bob Price, Associate Editor at Breitbart-Texas
Radio Host and owner of the Breakfast Klub Restaurant, Marcus Davis
State Senator, Paul Bettencourt
Conservative Houston Chronicle blogger, Kathleen McKinley
State Representative, Armando Walle
Conservative activist and attorney, Jared Woodfill
Conservative commentator and political consultant, Angela Box

Catch “What’s Your Point?” Thursdays at 5:30pm on FOX 26.




Thursday, May 08, 2025

“What's Your Point?” celebrates 500 episodes on FOX 26 Houston

"What's Your Point?" on FOX 26 Houston


FOX 26 Houston KRIV's weekly political affairs program, “What's Your Point?”, hosted by senior political reporter Greg Groogan, has just celebrated its 500th episode.

The Sunday morning show, which features a rotating panel of Houston-area political analysts, journalists, and community leaders from across the aisle, has been on Channel 26 for nine years.  

To illustrate the show's significance, on its 500th episode last Sunday morning, the special guest was Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

I wrote about the “What’s Your Point?” debut in 2016 and now revisit with original interviewees Groogan and FOX 26 KRIV Senior Vice President/General Manager D'Artagnan Bebel. For 2025, and in line with the media angle, we are also hearing from the show's first and now recently retired Executive Producer, Aprille Meek, as well as the original panelist and former ABC13 KTRK investigative reporter, Wayne Dolcefino.


Mike McGuff: 500 episodes is huge — what moment stands out most from the show’s history?

Greg Groogan:  Mike, I think without identifying a moment, I'll identify an era. COVID could have killed "What's Your Point?" I mean, how do you do a weekly, ensemble, political talk show in the middle of a raging pandemic? Answer - we improvised and overcame, broadcasting via Zoom from the living room and sometimes, the backyard of our executive producer, Aprille Meek's Clear Lake home.  It was sometimes rough around the edges, but the content and conversation were solid. More importantly, never was the discussion more valuable to our viewers who stuck with us, gleaning a steady stream of insight and information during a time which challenged us all.

D’Artagnan Bebel:  It’s not so much that “a moment” stands out, over the years, there’ve been an assortment of more feisty dust-ups among the panelists.

Aprille Meek: In the very beginning, Greg's adjustment from reporter to host/moderator, He's always been a great listener, and that skill makes him a great host. Second would be COVID in order to accommodate pandemic restrictions and still keep the panelists engaged, we Zoomed - making tons of technical and digital changes overnight ( as did the entire industry) and having Greg in my backyard every Sunday morning. We never missed a beat on topics of the day, and the panelists continued to "call it like they saw it."  Third - the first all-female panel. 


In 2016, I asked you what made "What's Your Point?" different from "Meet the Press," and you said, 'Attitude.' After 500 episodes, is the attitude still there?

D’Artagnan Bebel: I have to give all the credit to the Host, Greg Groogan. I saw a passion in him for politics and figured out a way to create something, but yet had to differentiate it from the high-flying network Sunday shows, and yes, “attitude” remains a key differentiator to this day. It’s been Greg’s show for a while now, in that I trust his judgement and execution of his show. He will consult with me, as he needs to, when certain issues or problems arise, and his instincts about solutions, I’ve always been in agreement.


Was there a particular episode or debate that you feel really defined the spirit of the show?

Greg Groogan:  Mike - I'm proud to say we have accumulated a group of fearless, independent thinkers who, regardless of their political persuasion, consistently call out corruption, malfeasance, and abuse of the taxpayer. What's more, our folks often hold elected leaders accountable well before the issues of contention make it into newscasts or into the newspaper.  I like to think the "takes" delivered on "What's Your Point?" trigger an untold number of conversations across our metro and beyond. That's a good thing. A very good thing.

D’Artagnan Bebel: I’ve actually enjoyed the panelist participation as part of our election night coverage during Presidential cycles.

Aprille Meek:  Frequently there's a defining moment that captures the "point" -  it happens when panelists on opposite political viewpoints agree on a subject, or an action (always a little surprising because you think you know what they are going to say and then . . .  ) OR when they acknowledge the other has a point and they agree to disagree. Being able to openly, respectfully express various viewpoints on the panel allows the viewers to do the same thing in their conversations, and civil discourse can accomplish positive things.





What does "What's Your Point?" mean to you personally after being part of it for so long?

Wayne Dolcefino: What’s Your Point is one of the truly great local news programs in the country, seriously, because it digs behind the headlines. It gives me a chance to rant in public in hopes of educating left-wing freaks.


How has the political landscape changed since you started the show?

Greg Groogan:  There's absolutely no doubt it's become more polarized with extremists on each side of the spectrum gaining disproportionate power. I like to think of "What's Your Point?" as a haven for pragmatists and problem solvers - a "public square" for folks genuinely interested in making our city and state work better.

D’Artagnan Bebel: The increased divisiveness of “our” elected officials to the point where political, party affiliations and loyalty outweigh serving the people, and they can no longer have civil debates on the issues of importance to “we the people” and then resolve to agree and move on with work of the people.

Aprille Meek: Well, look at the headlines, local, state, national, there have been some huge swings and changes, but it hasn't changed the truth of the show.

Wayne Dolcefino:  I think Harris County government has become the real local scandal. The out-of-control spending, higher taxes, a runaway toll road money machine, DEI and climate justice nonsense… soft on crime judges.


What's something viewers would be surprised to learn about how the show is made each week?

Greg Groogan:  Viewers may be surprised to learn we actually curate the panel - with an emphasis on balance, depth of knowledge on key topics and desire to reflect the viewership we serve. It's not always perfect, but we try. Folks may also be surprised to learn that despite the frequent heated exchanges on the air, the "WYP" crew almost always leaves the fight in the studio and, most Sundays, walks out of the studio more or less arm-in-arm.

Aprille Meek:  Besides that, Greg was in the backyard every Sunday morning during the pandemic before the return to the studio...how much time Greg spends on the phone every day talking to newsmakers, panelists, officials, watching live public meetings, reviewing clips and sound bites, and then discussing them. The only reporter I know who spent more time on the phone was FOX 26 sports anchor Mark Berman. Good old-fashioned reporting and connections to our community account for all the breaking stories and topics, leads on controversies about to break, and solutions about to appear.


Has there ever been a topic or guest that was too "hot" even for What's Your Point?

Greg Groogan:  Not yet. In fact, if we ever begin backing off the truly controversial, I'll turn off the lights for good myself.

Aprille Meek:  No, we persevered -  however, there have been a couple times when we hit pause on a topic so that we could vet the source better and be sure we were clear on all the facts AND make sure that we had both sides of the story represented on the show. But always it made the show the following week.  If a topic was important to our viewers, we pushed forward.


What’s the dynamic like between panelists when the cameras are off? Is it as fiery as it is on air at times?

Wayne Dolcefino:  I think the early panelists got into real brawls. I loved arguing about race in particular. Because I believe it shouldn’t have a role to play in our society. That is the way forward. We were heading there until the political advocates tried to inject it in every story when a lot of times it doesn't have a damn thing to do with nothing.  Most folks don't care about race. It’s old news.  The original group of panelists were virtually the same every week… it got ugly… during commercials, some pretty good F bombs…..but when COVID hit it went to Zoom for a long time...it hurt the back and forth…the rotating panels now have been more professional, damnit.  I don't have to be friends with my fellow panelists…. I want to argue… people enjoy the battle… and they always agree with me.


Do you think local political shows like this are even more critical today than when you started? Why?

Wayne Dolcefino:  "What’s Your Point?" kept attention on the affordable housing scandal from the beginning. It has made news and critiqued the news. Nothing has been off limits.  I think Harris County government has become the real local scandal. The out-of-control spending...higher taxes…a runaway toll road money machine… DEI and climate justice nonsense… soft on crime judges.


What’s Your Point?" and before that, "The Isiah Factor Uncensored" were some of your early local programming offerings. Has the success of these early offerings helped you develop all of the new shows you have debuted since then?

D’Artagnan Bebel:  Not really, because the slate of shows that I’ve created since those 2 are on a variety of platforms, including Fox 26 Houston linear, Fox Local stream, and on FOX SOUL national network. WHAT’S YOUR POINT?, THE ISIAH FACTOR UNCENSORED, THE NEWS EDGE, THE NIGHTCAP, CHATTIN WITH CHELSEA, and most recently SCROLLIN WITH JEN & VEE span the gamut of target audiences, linear time periods, and content. The key component of my ongoing program development efforts has been the support of my boss, Jack Abernethy, and having been asked to add oversight of FOX SOUL to my duties about 2 years ago.  


Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Wayne Dolcefino:  I have been friends with Greg Groogan for forty years…great journalist. One of the few left who really gives a damn about the town, especially in the areas of education and the environment. He’s a great host and has made the show a must-watch.




Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Brad Woodard apparently gone from KHOU 11

KHOU 11 reporter Brad Woodard no longer listed on station website

UPDATE JULY 03, 2014
Former KHOU 11 reporter Brad Woodard has died

I got word yesterday that KHOU 11 reporter Brad Woodard's bio was off the station's website. Sure enough that was true, plus both of his station social media accounts had been erased to boot.

Then came a tweet from a reporter "across the street" that pretty much summed things up:


Brad Woodard
Brad Woodard
In case you can't see the embedded tweet, Fox 26 KRIV reporter Greg Groogan tweeted, "Way to preserve quality #KHOU. 26 time Emmy winner Brad Woodard, one of America's finest broadcast writers, shown the door with no respect."

Groogan ain't joking about Woodard's awards. Every time I turned around it seemed he was winning something.

Woodard joined KHOU in 2006 from KARE-TV, the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis-St. Paul. According to his erased bio, prior to that he worked for WTVF-TV, the CBS affiliate in Nashville, TN and WSAV-TV in Savannah, GA, where he anchored, reported and produced documentaries. He also appeared in the HBO film, "Vietnam War Stories," and on the short-lived ABC television series, "Breaking Away." The bio also notes  his work appeared on NBC's "Today" show nearly 200 times.

Hopefully Woodard can update us on his future plans.

I've heard once Gannett took over the Belo stations there would be changes. Who knows if this is a Gannett thing, but we have already started to see other changes.

UPDATE JULY 03, 2014
Former KHOU 11 reporter Brad Woodard has died


RELATED
- Mia Gradney 3rd anchor on KHOU 11 morning news
- KHOU 11 anchor shuffle 2014
- Marcelino Benito of KGUN Tucson joins KHOU 11

(Thanks Taylor and Sarah)

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Houston Texas AP TV winner 2013 breakdown

I featured the 2013 Texas Associated Press TV winners when they were announced at the beginning of March. Since then, I have been asked to give a breakdown of the Houston winners.

So here we go. The stations with the most amount of wins from top to bottom:

KHOU
18

KRIV
8

KTRK
8

KPRC
3

Some highlights of note.

Fox 26 KRIV had two winners for Weathercast:

1. KRIV, Houston. Jim Siebert. 9 p.m. Weathercast. Aired June 26, 2012
HM: KRIV, Houston. Mike Iscovitz. KRIV Fox 26 Houston. Aired June 26, 2012

KRIV also had two wins for its morning newscast:

Morning Newscast
1. KRIV, Houston. Shannon Dillon, Kevin Collins & Rhoda Chanette. FOX 26 News at 6 a.m. Aired June 26, 2012
News Anchor or Anchor Team
2. KRIV, Houston. Chris Stipes. Chris Stipes in Action

UPDATE
Fox 26 KRIV reporter Greg Groogan placed the most on the list of any H-town reporter. Fox 26 KRIV's Greg Groogan and KHOU 11's Kevin Reece tied for the most places - three times each.

Even though Wayne Dolcefino is no longer at KTRK 13, he and his 13 Undercover unit folks won a combined six awards.

Sports reporter Daniel Gotera won 1st and 2nd place in Sports Story:

1. KHOU, Houston. Daniel Gotera & Bob Luna. Pearland's Johnny Baseball
2. KHOU, Houston. Daniel Gotera & George Jensen. Riley's Story

KHOU swept the Specialty or Beat Reporting category:

1. KHOU, Houston. Scott Noll. Scott Noll Reports
2. KHOU, Houston. Jeremy Rogalski, Keith Tomshe & David Raziq. Keep 'em Honest
HM: KHOU, Houston. Andrew Horansky. Medical Reporting

Congrats to all of the winners.


Thursday, April 21, 2011

WFAA releases raw Obama video, KENS' new morning anchor?, Fox 26 reporter wins and more



Brad Watson's interview with Obama — the raw video
WFAA 8 releases raw footage of Brad Watson's President Obama interview. Was Watson too aggressive?
- Original video report

What's up with KENS 5 in the morning?
Reporter and noon anchor Sarah Forgany has been helming the early news next to Fred Lozano of late instead of usual anchorwoman Vicki Buffolino. Other signs, too, seem to point to Forgany, a Cairo, Egypt, native who came to KENS about a year ago, taking over the co-anchor duties on the 4:30-to-7 a.m. news show.

Fox 26 reporter Greg Groogan wins big
Congratulations to Fox 26 KRIV reporter Greg Groogan. He's the winner of the 2011 Edward R. Murrow regional award for writing. His 4th win.

Clear Channel Dallas OM Vince Richards is out
Vince Richards had held the post of Operations Manager for Clear Channel in Dallas, as well as PD of Alternative KDGE-FM (102.1) "The Edge."
- Exclusive March PPM Analysis: Houston

Hiring, the vibe of the creative space and buzzwords
Former Tribune Chief Innovation Officer and KIAH 39 NewsFix creator Lee Abrams says the art of
hiring a creative team seems to be a lost one in most media. He offers suggestions.
- At Tribune, Battle Expands

KERA Reduces Staff and Ends Think TV
KERA announced today that it has eliminated the positions of six employees and is ending, on April 22, the television production of Think that airs three Fridays a month at 7 p.m. on KERA TV.

Crestina Chavez new YNN managing editor; Kevin Benz update
Austin’s Your News Now (formerly News 8 Austin) has announced that evening news anchor Crestina Chavez has assumed the role of managing editor at the 24-hour Time Warner Cable news outlet.

Fast Company names Houston City of the Year
Houston is featured on the cover of the May 2011 edition of Fast Company magazine as city of the year.

In Memoriam of Jeff Wells
SugarHill Recording Studios is saddened to learn of the death of friend Jeff Wells on April 16, 2010. Jeff was owner Houston's iconic Sound Arts Recording Studio.

Announcing the Launch of Tequila-Fueled Radio, Radio Pura Vida
With ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons as an investor, Radio Pura Vida was created by Houston's RFC Media.

NATIONAL MEDIA
- Where Will Television Be in 2020?
- CBS News President, Slams 'Early Show' In Memo
- Robot Sportswriter Outperforms Human
- ‘Piers Morgan’ hits new ratings lows

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KIAH 39 cancels two shows; Yolanda Green leaving station
- Former KPRC 2 meteorologist Byron Miranda talks new KNBC gig
- What was the appeal of Marvin Zindler of KTRK 13 Eyewitness News?

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Hottest Houston social media stars September 2018



I didn't issue an August report since there were so many vacations going on, so let's get back to it for September.

Share Rocket gives us data on how each Houston TV station and the corresponding air staff members performed on Facebook and Twitter.

Share Rocket is, "a social media ratings and audience solution providing media companies an easy way to quantify their social media equity, benchmark against peers and turn social market intelligence into insights that drive social success."

The numbers are pulled from station usage on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Share Rocket's "Share" measurement.

First we are looking at every Houston media company in the Share Rocket database and top personalities. Then I am looking at the top 5 on air staff members at each station in order of channel number.

RELATED
- Texas TV news and radio job moves September 2018
- The TV News bloopers of September 2018

Houston Media
  1. abc13 KTRK
  2. FOX 26 KRIV
  3. KHOU 11
  4. KPRC 2
  5. Houston Chronicle
  6. 47 Telemundo
  7. 45 Univision
  8. Houston Press
  9. Houston's 39
  10. CultureMap Houston

Top 5 individuals
  1. Eduardo Rodríguez (Yusnaby Pérez) - 47 Telemundo
  2. Tim Heller - abc13 KTRK
  3. Mark Berman - FOX 26 KRIV
  4. Greg Groogan - FOX 26 KRIV
  5. Stephen Morgan - FOX 26 KRIV

KPRC 2
  1. Adam Wexler
  2. Dominique Sachse
  3. Jennifer Reyna
  4. Justin Stapleton
  5. Britta Merwin

KHOU 11
  1. Brandi Smith
  2. David Paul
  3. Chita Craft
  4. Brooks Garner
  5. Bill Bishop (Managing Editor)

abc 13 KTRK
  1. Tim Heller
  2. Erica Simon
  3. Samica Knight
  4. Mayra Moreno
  5. Katherine Whaley

FOX 26 KRIV
  1. Mark Berman
  2. Greg Groogan
  3. Stephen Morgan
  4. Ivory Hecker
  5. Kaitlin Monte

Univision 45 KXLN
  1. Albert Martínez
  2. Marcela Perez Barros
  3. Marlene Guzman
  4. Karina Yapor
  5. Deysy Rios

Telemundo 47 KTMD
  1. Eduardo Rodríguez (Yusnaby Pérez)
  2. Ubaldo Martínez
  3. Carlos A. Robles
  4. Antonio Hernández
  5. Augusto Bernal

Houston Chronicle
  1. John McClain
  2. Brian T. Smith
  3. Joseph Duarte
  4. Brent Zwerneman
  5. Evan Mintz

DISCLAIMER: The top five Houston Chronicle staffers are listed at the bottom. I did not include KIAH 39 because it does not have five full-time on-air employees to make up the list. No Houston radio stations are listed in the Share Rocket database.




Friday, June 15, 2018

2018 Lone Star Awards announced by Houston Press Club


It's that time of year again! The Houston Press Club has announced the 2018 Lone Star Awards winners.

If you were a big winner, click here to learn how to get your award.

RADIO


Radio Use of Sound

First Place 2018
Jack Morgan
Texas Public Radio
“Beethoven Maennerchor Sings The Praise of Being German Americans”

Second Place
Jack Morgan
Texas Public Radio
“San Antonio Remembers, Sings Praises For Alameda Theater”

Third Place 2018
David Martin Davies
Texas Public Radio
“Rebuilding After Harvey: A Rockport Fulton Christmas Carol”

Radio Talk Show

First Place 2018
Jill Ament, David Brown, Rhonda Fanning, Leah Scarpelli, Casey Cheek
Texas Standard
“Sexual Harassment At Texas Capitol”

Second Place 2018
David Martin Davies, Kim Johnson, Jan Ross Piedad
Texas Public Radio
“After Sutherland Springs, How Do We Cope With The Trauma Of Another Mass Shooting?”

Radio Hard News Feature

First Place 2018
Carson Frame
Texas Public Radio
“Closed Doors & Toxic Fumes”

Second Place 2018
Alan Stephens
Texas Standard
“Blowback”

Third Place 2018
Paul Flahive
Texas Public Radio
“Remote Workers Vulnerable In Disputes With Company, Says Employees”

Radio Politics/Government

First Place 2018
Ryan Poppe
Texas Public Radio
“Texas’ First Medical Cannabis Dispensary Set To Open In December”

Second Place 2018
David Martin Davies
Texas Public Radio
“Questions Rise About Manuel Medina’s Many Roles In Bexar County Democratic Party”

Radio Series

First Place 2018
Joey Palacios
Texas Public Radio
“Rebuilding After Harvey”

Second Place 2018
Joy Diaz
Texas Standard
“Help Wanted – Get Out”

Third Place 2018
David Martin Davies
Texas Public Radio
“Lead Poisoning In San Antonio Zip Codes”

Radio Soft News Feature

First Place 2018
Michael Marks
Texas Standard
“Operation Longhorn”

Second Place 2018
Carson Frame
Texas Public Radio
“A Swan Song For Some Military Bands: Budget Cuts Stop The Music”

Third Place 2018
Paul Flahive
Texas Public Radio
“San Antonio’s Last Traveling Typewriter Repairman”

Radio Journalist Of The Year
Joey Palacios
Texas Public Radio

INTERNET


Internet News Feature Story

First Place 2018
Ernie Manouse, Matthew Brawley, Shannon Harrison
Houston Public Media
“Bufkins Christmas Wonderland”

Second Place 2018
Stacey Welsh
KENS5.com
“Keep Going: Texas Veteran Marks 75th Anniversary Of Bataan Death March”

Third Place 2018
Ron Kabele, Curtis Craven, Eliot Stone, Susan Shore, April Garner
Texas Historical Commission Texas Time Travel Website
“Marcelino Serna, A World War 1 Hero”

Internet Collaborative News Reporting

First Place 2018
KENS Staff
KENS5.com
“Team Coverage: The Sutherland Springs Church Massacre”

Second Place 2018

KENS Staff
KENS5.com
“Ingram Square Fire: A hero dies, a suspected arsonist speaks”

Internet Opinion

First Place 2018
Elizabeth Fordham
Energy Marketing Conferences
“Ghostwriting: The Very Apparent Fork In The Road”

Second Place 2018
Elizabeth Fordham
buffythebitchyblogger.com
“More Than 13 Reasons Why”

Third Place 2018
Nathan Cone
Texas Public Radio
“No One Is Innocent: Revisiting “Fire Walk With Me””

PUBLIC RELATIONS


Public Relations Annual Report

First Place 2018
Roy Prichard, Dwight Andrews, Darla Brown
McGovern Medical School, UTHealth
“McGovern Medical School Year In Review”

Second Place 2018
Doris Huang, Rebecca Hall
Houston Methodist Institute For Academic Medicine
“Houston Methodist Institute For Academic Medicine Annual Report”

Third Place 2018
Roy Prichard, Dwight Andrews, Darla Brown
McGovern Medical School, UTHealth
“Institute of Molecular Medicine IMMPact Report”

Public Relations Corporate Video

First Place 2018
Daniel Villarreal
Harris Co. Department of Education
“HCDE Tax Rate”

Second Place 2018
Gordon Williams, Jonathan Tippett, Tyler Hargraves, Edward Long, Johnny Lively
LUTV Productions
“Lamar University Department of Theater & Dance”

Third Place 2018
Daniel Villarreal
Harris County Department of Education
“Mayor GoPublic Message”

Public Relations Feature Article

First Place 2018
Ronda Wendler
MD Anderson Cancer Center
“To Treat Or Not To Treat”

Second Place 2018
Ronda Wendler
MD Anderson Cancer Center
“A Recurring Nightmare”

Third Place 2018
Carol Vaughn
Harris County Department of Education
“Overcoming Grief and Anger with Harris Co. Dept. of Education’s Help”

Public Relations News Release

First Place 2018
Mike Emery
University Of Houston-Downtown
“UHD Professor Teaching Criminology Using Comics”

Second Place 2018
Rob Cahill
UTHealth Website
“UTHealth/Harris Health physician performs emergency brain surgery during Hurricane Harvey”

Third Place 2018
Elizabeth Fordham
Newswire
“Three steps for developing a system-wide access strategy”

Public Relations Publication

First Place 2018
Michael Clark, Ronda Wendler, Andy Olin
MD Anderson Cancer Center
“Conquest Magazine”

Second Place 2018
Mike Emery, Sheryl Taylor, Thomas Shea, Elisa Crossland
University of Houston-Downtown
“UHD Magazine Winter 2017”

Public Relations Communicator Of the Year

Rob Cahill
UT Health Website

NEWSPAPER/PRINT


Newspaper – News or Feature Story

First Place 2018
Mike Hixenbaugh, David Hunn, Mark Collette
Houston Chronicle
“Fifty-one Inches”

Second Place 2018
Maria Recio
Austin-American Statesman
“An Austin company is among bidders for Trump’s border wall”

Newspaper – General Commentary/Criticism

First Place 2018
Lisa Falkenberg
Houston Chronicle
“We shouldn’t accept ‘new normal’ of mass shootings in America”

Second Place 2018
Arnold Wayne Jones
Dallas Voice
“Appreciation: Rene Moreno”

Print Photography

First Place 2018
Cody Duty
TMC Pulse
“Scar Stories: Portraits Of Survival”

Second Place 2018
Lindsey Sanders
Harris County Department of Education
“Focus”

Third Place 2018
Arnold Wayne Jones
Dallas Voice
“North To Vancouver”

Print Journalist Of The Year

Mike Hixenbaugh
Houston Chronicle

TELEVISION


TV Hard News Feature

First Place 2018
Kyle Porter, Grace White
KHOU
“Battle For The Border”

Second Place 2018
Greg Groogan, John Heads, David Lanier, Ray Williams, Matt Matejka
KRIV
“11 Voices of Suffering On The San Jacinto”

Third Place 2018
Mario Diaz, John Barone, Jon Hill, Bill Carruthers, Allen Reid Aaron Wische
KPRC
“Harvey Emissions”

TV Investigative Series

First Place 2018
Greg Groogan, John Heads, Aprille Meek, Ray Williams, Matt Matejka
KRIV
“Toxic Trouble”

Second Place 2018
Rose-Ann Aragon
KPRC
“Series: Generation Under Fire”

TV Soft News Feature

First Place 2018
Laura Lucas, Matthew Brawley, Shannon Harrison
Houston Public Media
“Eco-Artist Grant Manier”

Second Place 2018
Oscar Margain, Jose Sanchez
KENS
“Mowing Man”

Third Place 2018
Daniel Gotera, Mike Orta, Justin DeYoung
KHOU
“A Storyteller’s Story”

TV Documentary or Public Affairs

First Place 2018
Rachel McNeill, Allen Reid, Dawn Campbell, Robert Grant
KPRC
“Saving Madagascar”

Second Place 2018
Karen Loke, Ron Kabele
Texas Parks & Wildlife Television
“In Memory of Jacob”

Third Place 2018
TV Documentary or Public Affairs
Daniel Gotera, Mike Orta, Justin DeYoung
KHOU
“The Program: Pearland Oilers”

TV Editing

First Place 2018
Matthew Brawley
Houston Public Media
“Bufkins Christmas Wonderland”

Second Place 2018
Michael Humphries
KENS
“A Glimpse Into Heaven”

Third Place 2018
Tammy Griffin
KRIV
“EaDo Street Art”

TV Feature Photography

First Place 2018
Michael Humphries
KENS
“A Glimpse Into Heaven”

Second Place 2018
Matthew Brawley
Houston Public Media
“Unbelievably Cool Easter Eggs”

Third Place 2018
Matthew Brawley
Houston Public Media
“Eco-Artist Grant Manier”

TV Sports Feature

First Place 2018
Daniel Gotera, Mike Orta
KHOU
“Maggie’s Second Chance”

Second Place 2018
Daniel Gotera, Mike Orta
KHOU
“Fishing With An Angel”

Third Place 2018
Vinnie Vinzetta, Marcus Floyd, Jason Eggleston
KENS
“Loveable Losers: The Saga of the San Antonio Gunslingers”

TV Journalist Of The Year
Dillon Collier
KSAT

TV Photojournalist Of The Year
Kyle Porter
KHOU

MAGAZINES


Magazine Column

First Place 2018
Britni Riley
TMC Pulse Magazine
“Curated: The Intersection of Arts And Medicine”

Second Place 2018
Kristopher Sharp, John Wright
OutSmart Magazine
“The Deadly Consequences of Texas’ House Bill 3859”

Third Place 2018
Shanley Chien Pierce
TMC Pulse Magazine
“On the Side: How TMC Employees Spend Their Spare Time”

Magazine Layout

First Place 2018
Maggie Galehouse, Alyssum Klopp
TMC Pulse Magazine
“TMC Pulse March 2017”

Second Place 2018

John Wright, Blase DiStefano, Alex Rosa, Ashkan Roayaee, Staff
OutSmart Magazine
“Harvey’s Heroes: OutSmart October 2017”

Third Place 2018

Staff
Houstonia Magazine
“February 2017 Issue”

Magazine Article

First Place 2018
Shanley Chien Pierce
TMC Pulse Magazine
“Twin Skin: 3 TMC Doctors, 2 Identical Sisters and 1 Extraordinary Transplant”

Judges Comment: Adeptly balances the personal story of two sisters in sync with the larger, life and death drama surrounding them.

Second Place 2018
John Wright, Alex Rosa
OutSmart Magazine
“Harris County DA Kim Ogg Is America’s Top Gay Cop”

Third Place 2018
Roxanna Asgarian
Houstonia Magazine
“Family In Transition”

STUDENT CATEGORIES


Student Print Sports Story

First Place 2018
Nathan Keil
The Baylor Lariat
“Baylor football shows signs of life”

Second Place 2018
Karisa Norfleet
Lamar University Press
“Worst to first”

Third Place 2018
Nathan Keil
The Baylor Lariat
“West Virginia stuns Baylor on overtime free kick”

Student Print Photography

First Place 2018
Shane Proctor
Lamar University Press
“State Fair Carousel”

Second Place 2018
Liesje Powers
The Baylor Lariat
“Bonfire marshals”

Third Place 2018
Matt Beadle
Lamar University Press
“Cards demolish Falcons”

Student Print News or Feature Story

First Place 2018
Dani Yan
The Review
“Deliverance: How a father-son duo decided to brave Harvey’s waters … ”

Second Place 2018
Sophie Caldwell
The Review
“Culture of Silence: How a lack of consent education harms high school students”

Third Place 2018
Dani Yan, Emily Chen, Sophie Gillard
The Review
“Locked Down: Campus security changes prove vital”

Student TV & Radio News or Feature Story

First Place 2018
Jessica Babb
The Baylor Lariat
“Board to vote on task force recommendations”

Second Place 2018
Brooke Kirchhofer
LUTV News
“Dream Still Alive?”

Third Place 2018
Jessica Babb
The Baylor Lariat
“Trump inauguration”

Student TV & Radio Sports Story

First Place 2018
Elisabeth Tharp
The Baylor Lariat
“NCAA volleyball first round”

Second Place 2018
Brooke Kirchhofer
LUTV News
“Raising Steers”

Third Place 2018
Jennifer Yacuta
LUTV News
“Knocking Out Addictions”

Best Student Newspaper

Baylor Lariat Staff
The Baylor Lariat


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Wayne Dolcefino on the offensive, Houston TV job changes and more


MORE VIDEO
- Morning Anchors Don’t Realize They’re On the Air
- Getting to Know Chikage
- Rushing to report on the Boston Marathon bombings? Remember Frank Reynolds
- Mix 96.5 Houston - (1994)

Brad Watson ends stellar career with WFAA-TV
Friday was a difficult day At WFAA-TV, the day we said farewell to not only one of the best TV journalists in North Texas - but we believe, in the nation.
- Veteran Reporter Brad Watson Joins Luminant as New Communications Director

The Fan cancels RAGE, relationship with Greg Williams, Richie Whitt
Gavin Spittle, who oversees operations at 105.3 FM The Fan, said Monday that Richie Whitt and Greg Williams are no longer at the station because of poor ratings. The afternoon drive hosts were fired before their show could air.

WFAA wins IRE Awards
WFAA in Dallas-Fort Worth wins a 2012 Investigative Reporters & Editors Award.

20 years later
A rewind to how local media covered the 51-day standoff in Waco

Following Boston Bombing, Some Houston Media Outlets Shirk Duties
After two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon, Houston's local media scene has attempted to gather the facts of the fast-breaking story. However, instead of doing the tradition leg-work that, you know, delineates the media's responsibilities and activities, a handful of local news outlets have outsourced their work to the readership that is attempting to turn to them for a fuller perspective on the story.

Franklin out as radio voice of Cougars
Tom Franklin, the radio voice of UH athletics, will not return next season, said UH.

Wayne Dolcefino accuses Katy ISD of electioneering
If there was any question about how Wayne Dolcefino is going to get along with Katy ISD administrators should he be elected to the district's Board of Trustees, the answer is not very well judging by his recent online post.

TV parents of autistic student win battle against HISD
The odds were against Fox 26 KRIV reporter Greg Groogan and his wife Michelle (Casas - former KRIV reporter) in January, when the frustrated parents of a 9-year-old autistic boy named Garrett tried to convince a state special education hearing officer that Texas' largest school district had violated their child's legal right to a "free and appropriate education."

Record-breaking Sales for Inaugural Issue of Houstonia Magazine
SagaCity Media President Nicole Vogel announced that the first issue of Houstonia magazine, on sale for just 18 days, has broken records at grocery stores and newsstands all over town. In fact, the April edition of Houstonia, a new monthly publication aimed squarely at the residents of America’s fourth largest city, has outsold every other magazine this month at H-E-B, Central Market, Kroger, Randalls, Whole Foods Market, Wal-Mart and elsewhere, and is on track to sell more than 20,000 copies citywide.

KEYE tweaks afternoon, late-night lineups
KEYE has bumped a pair of floundering TV talk shows from their prime afternoon timeslots to the wee hours of the morning.

New boss at KVET-FM, KASE
T Bosch has been named program director at 98.1 KVET-FM and 100.7 KASE-FM, where he’ll help select the music listeners hear each day.

Say ‘bye’ to Jammin’ 103.1 and ‘hi’ to iHeartAustin
After just 10 months, San Antonio-based Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has pulled the plug on Jammin’ 103.1, replacing it with 103.1 iHeartAustin, a station focused on giving airtime to emerging artists.

Appreciation of BOOTED NEWS WOMEN Blog
- HEY HEY HOLLY!!!
- The Fox Sports Southwest Girls Are Still BUSY IN BOOTS
- Erica Harpold of KEYE-TV in Austin, Texas

Austin man wins big on Wheel of Fortune
Despite not solving the final puzzle, an Austin man walked away with more than $39,000 in cash and prizes on the popular game show Wheel of Fortune.

Texas Tribune Scores $1.5 Million Knight Foundation Grant
The Knight Foundation is giving a $1.5 million grant to the Texas Tribune, a four-year-old news start-up based in Austin.

MOVING

KPRC 2 managing editor Gerardo Lopez leaves Houston for a management position at KOMO in Seattle.

News 92FM KROI sports reporter/technical producer Marcus Sullivan leaves the station for a web producer position at Fox 26 KRIV. He's worked at Power 97.5, 104.1 KRBE, Party 104.9, Party 93.3, Praise 92.1 and News 92FM. He starts April 23.

Bob Allen to KHOU 11
Bob Allen leaves KTRK abc13 in January, now joins KHOU 11

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- SportsRadio 610 KILT goes live from 6am to 12am
- KUHF's new talk show 'Houston Matters' has soft launch today


Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Wayne Dolcefino's first TV interview after car accident

WAYNE DOLCEFINO: "My view is that God has saved me because he wants me to mess with some more people who are ripping people off and that's good enough for me, because otherwise he wouldn't have saved me."


FOX 26 KRIV's Greg Groogan was the first to interview Wayne Dolcefino after his terrible car accident:

Dolcefino's body was shattered, the relentless reporter all but gone.

"I've covered hurricanes. I've been in my share of fights. I've seen a lot of stuff, but there ain't nothing like getting hit at 75 miles an hour," said the 60-year-old husband and father.

The wheel chair bears witness -- a hip so badly fractured it had to be completely replaced, both heels pulverized, complications including a near lethal blood clot, and then there is that 10-inch laceration to the skull, the scar of which he will wear forever. READ MORE

Groogan announced on the end of his story that Dolcefino will be back on the panel of What's Your Point on its new Sunday morning 7am time.

In other Dolcefino related news, the legendary investigator has turned his sites on the city of Austin and it's going to cost him according to his report.







Sunday, February 01, 2026

Isiah Factor Uncensored moves into a battleground


FOX 26 Houston's The Isiah Factor Uncensored is moving to a new time of 11pm starting Monday, Februrary 2, 2026...but i have the insight that it is only temporary.

My "insight," and if you get that reference about host Isiah Carey, then you've been around a while, comes from the station itself.

KRIV says for the next few weeks, a brand new political show titled ‘Battleground Texas’ takes the Factor's time slot.

 ‘Battleground Texas’ is a co-production of FOX 26 KRIV Houston, FOX 4 KDFW Dallas -Fort Worth, and FOX 7 KTBC Austin, hosted by Greg Groogan, Steven Dial, and Rudy Koski of each station.

Readers have asked me about the whereabouts of Groogran's digital show "Red, White & Brews" lately.  What I found out for them is that the show is on hiatus due to ‘Battleground Texas.’

Don't worry, "What's Your Point?" fans, I hear Groogan's Sunday-morning Houston political show is not going anywhere.






Thursday, February 25, 2021

Houston TV anniversaries decades in the making!

Here are three big Houston TV anniversaries that I've happened to catch over the last months via social media...at times while I was not blogging...so here we go now!

FOX 26 KRIV "What’s Your Point?” host Greg Groogan (36 years in TV as of January 2021)

"I have been at this now 36 years. Thank you Juan Campos numero uno." Groogan posted to Facebook at the time.  "I have served under 14 news directors including former colleague Carolyn Mungo. One factor that I believe always helped my longevity was an absolute disinterest in anchoring. Never, ever asked, to their collective relief. Which, of course, renders this current gig the ultimate irony. That said, I am proud of how this Sunday morning show has evolved into a genuine asset for my community. Watch the conversation and judge for yourself. No harm, no foul if you disagree. The skin toughens substantially after three and half decades."

abc13 KTRK Chief Forecaster David Tillman (20 years at channel 13 as of October 2020)

"Can you believe it?  I've been working at the best television station in the nation for 20 years," Tillman posted to Facebook  at the time.  "Today is my 20 year anniversary. It's been a blast. Let's see if I can make it another 20 years."

KHOU 11 investigative reporter Jeremy Rogalski (20 years at channel 11 as of January 2021)

"Today I celebrate my 20th anniversary at KHOU," Rogalski posted to Facebook at the time.  "A former colleague once told me working in this biz is like having a front-row ticket to life. That is so spot on. Allison, Enron, 9/11, Columbia STS-107, Katrina, Rita, Ike, Harvey and COVID-19 are just some of the major events I covered. And over the past 20 years, our investigations exposed corruption, wrongdoing, taxpayer waste and abuse. We held the powerful accountable and gave a voice to the voiceless. I'm so very grateful for having this front-row seat to tell your stories. Now it's back to work on a Monday!"




Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Texas TV and radio stations win regional Murrow Awards

Just announced this morning, Texas TV and radio stations are bringing home the gold sort of speak for the Lone Star State in the 2010 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award contest.

In Region 6 (Texas and Oklahoma) Houston TV kicked ass with KHOU, KTRK, KPRC, and KRIV winning. KXAS won for Dallas-Fort Worth.

Overall Excellence
KHOU-TV - Houston, TX
KHOU Overall Excellence

Video Continuing Coverage
KPRC-TV - Houston, TX
Cold Case Cracked

Video Reporting: Hard News
KTRK-TV - Houston, TX
Too Much Trauma

Video Investigative Reporting
KHOU-TV - Houston, TX
Under Fire: Discrimination and Corruption in the Texas National Guard

Video News Documentary
KHOU-TV - Houston, TX
Under Fire

Video Newscast
KHOU-TV - Houston, TX
11 News at 5

Video Sports Reporting
KXAS-TV - Fort Worth, TX
A Game of Hope

Use of Video
KHOU-TV - Houston, TX
Todd Rogenthien, Photojournalist

Web site
KHOU-TV - Houston, TX
KHOU.com

Writing
KRIV-TV - Houston, TX
Greg Groogan 2009

SEE THE ENTIRE LIST INCLUDING SMALL MARKET AND RADIO

A special shout out to KTRK 13's Tom Abrahams, John Mubarak, Johnny Marquez and Bob Dows who won for hard news reporting concerning a story on the overloaded trauma center at the Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston. And no surprise that a certain Mark Greenblatt and company take home another prestigious award!

Tuesday, December 05, 2023

Houston TV station gives competitor kudos for story


Rarely do you see TV stations giving competitors credit for something, but Greg Groogan of FOX 26 KRIV Houston's "What's Your Point?" featured KPRC 2 investigative reporter Amy Davis' coverage of high Houston water bills.

As an update, this week, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston Public Works announced nine ordinance proposals to address the water bill issues.







Wednesday, October 01, 2025

Texas TV news and radio job moves September 2025


Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

- 2025 Lone Star EMMY Nominations


DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Holden Wilen took on a new role as the Dallas Business Journal's assistant managing editor, in addition to his finance and sports business coverage.

iHeartMedia has announced the appointment of Chris Long as its new Dallas Region President.

Why Is Hearst Buying So Many Texas Newspapers? With its purchase of the Dallas Morning News, the 138-year-old company is set to own all the largest newspapers in Texas.

Dallas looking to acquire property for new Convention Center - city wants a section of property, which includes part of the WFAA parking lot.

- Markley, Van Camp, Robbins move to 820 WBAP DFW
- Brianda Villegas leaves WFAA 8 DFW
- WFAA 8 DFW launches 6:30pm newscast
- Vania Castillo joins FOX 4 KDFW
- DallasNews Corporation Announces Shareholder Approval of Hearst Merger Agreement
- Caroline Vandergriff leaves CBS News Texas
- ALT 103.7 KVIL launches DFW local music show
- Evan Andrews announces FOX 4 KDFW retirement


HOUSTON

Houston Press Switches to a New Content System and a Different.

Houston Chronicle religion reporter Eric Killelea joins Bloomberg Law as Houston correspondent.

FOX 26 political reporter and host of "Red, White & Brews" Greg Groogan sits down with Wayne Dolcefino.

Three employees at ABC13 KTRK discovered someone had illegally applied for benefits through the Texas Workforce Commission using their personal information in the last few weeks.

Nick Russo, of 100.3 The Bull KILT is now also doing afternoons at sister station “106.5 The Wolf” WDAF Kansas City.

KHOU 11 ENG Supervisor Rick Buffolano celebrates 25 years with the station.

ABC 13 KTRK executive producer Esther Hou leaves the station.

Asher Lehrer-Small, formerly of the Houston Landing, joins The New York Times.

Hope Media Group (HMG) has announced the promotion of Kristin Alexander to Chief of Staff.

Programming Coordinator Ben Wolverton celebrates 25 years with ABC13 Houston.

Assignment editor Scott Myers celebrates 10 years with ABC13 KTRK.

Houston Chronicle‘s data and education reporter Anastasia (Ana) Goodwin has left the paper.

Teenage Kicks: Houston Radio DJs’ Unforgettable First Concert.

- 101 KLOL 1988 5th annual Rock N’ Roll Auction
- When 101 KLOL was in Dallas?
- Mayra Moreno returns to ABC13 Houston
- Brandi Smith joins Houston Moms, talks leaving TV
- Johnathan Walton returns to KHOU 11 with new book
- Rosa Flores joins MSNBC
- Alex Bozarjian leaves ABC13 Houston
- Dominique Sachse and Vic Mignogna answer your juiciest relationship questions
- New Houston Art Weeks has KLOL connection
- Brittany Jeffers promoted to KPRC 2 noon anchor
- Houston stations have staff cuts
- Abigail Dye leaves FOX 26 Houston
- Jonathan Novack leaves CW39, Daryl Matthews hired
- Allison Gargaro gives birth
- KPRC 2 staffer writes about grief after loss of his son
- Stephanie Simmons joins CBS News 8 KFMB San Diego
- It's a mikemcguff blog 20 year celebration!
- Taylor Mills leaving 89.3 KSBJ night show
- Puro Tejano 106.1 Houston launches
- Houston jumps to #5 radio market
- Eddie “The Boner” golfed with Alice Cooper
- Houston September 2025 anniversaries
- Édgar Olivares promoted at Telemundo Houston
- Where is Owen Conflenti?


SAN ANTONIO

Watch the 2025 Class of the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame finalists being inducted.


AUSTIN

Texas Tribune names New York Times vet as its new CEO.

Former KXAN reporter reflects on covering Yogurt Shop Murders in the 90s.

Longhorn Radio Announcers Reflect on Leaning Out the Window During Championship, 22 Seasons Together.

KVET to Serve as Cowboys’ Home in Austin.

- CBS Austin ND Rob Cartwright joins CBS Boston
- Sierra Waggoner joins KEYE's We Are Austin
- “Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience” documentary out now


AROUND TEXAS

Danny Aguilar, vice president and general manager of 25 KAVU Victoria , retired in early September, concluding a 35-year career in broadcast television.

James “Big Jim” Russell at 99.9 KLUR Wichita Falls is a big name in Wichita Falls radio.  

Shawn joined FOX61/CW20 as a sports multi-skilled journalist from FOX West Texas in San Angelo.

K-TEX 106 KTTX Brenham, TX, adds David Bugenske for afternoons.

The iconic voice of the Baylor Bears, John Morris, was recognized for his long broadcasting career with the Chris Schenkel Award.

KAMR Local 4 News General Manager Brandy Sanchez was announced among three area women recognized in the Amarillo Women’s Network Career & Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Man climbs down 40 hours after scaling Lamar State College Port Arthur radio tower.

Multimedia journalist Alexis Hernandez joined the KLST/KSAN team in August 2025.

Justin Margolius joins KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock as weekend sports anchor from KPLC 7 NewsLake Charles, Louisiana.

KVWE Amarillo flips from Sports-Talk to Classic Rock as 102.9 The Rattler.


- KBTX sports changes in summer 2025
- Noel Ramos Named News Director for Telemundo 40 Rio Grande Valley
- Bella Michaels leaves KRGV and then something big happened
- Texas radio rides into 2025 CMA Awards nominations
- Andy Liscano leaves KRIS/KZTV Corpus Christi
- Joel Villanueva returns to KRGV 5
- Daisy Martinez promoted to CBS 4 RGV evening anchor
- Javier Guerra promoted to KRGV 5 evening anchor
- Karol Garcia Joins Noticiero Telemundo Arizona
- Caiden Dinkins promoted to KTXS News 12 Abilene chief met



Thursday, July 03, 2014

Former KHOU 11 reporter Brad Woodard has died

Former KHOU 11 reporter Brad Woodard leaves many friends and fans; plus a great body of TV work

UPDATE
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences lists Woodard's manner of death as natural.

Brad Woodard
Brad Woodard
News came in Wednesday afternoon that former KHOU 11 reporter Brad Woodard had died earlier in the day. His former station is now confirming the news.

"He was a kind, talented man who wrestled with some unkind problems," KHOU 11 Executive News Director Philip Bruce told mikemcguff.com. "It’s very sad over here."

The station told me Woodard was 52 years old. Published reports say he was 51.

According to KHOU, authorities discovered Woodard's body Wednesday morning after a relative called police to check on him. He had failed to return several phone calls and investigators say there was no evidence of foul play.

"With a sublime story telling voice that frequently reached the exquisite Brad Woodard used his craft and tremendous heart to protect and defend all creatures, human and otherwise," friend and Fox 26 KRIV reporter Greg Groogan told mikemcguff.com. "I mourn him and will remember him well."

Last February I reported that Woodard had been let go from KHOU.

As I posted back then, Woodard joined KHOU in 2006 from KARE-TV, the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Prior to that he worked for WTVF-TV, the CBS affiliate in Nashville, TN and WSAV-TV in Savannah, GA, where he anchored, reported and produced documentaries.

He also appeared in the HBO film, "Vietnam War Stories," and on the short-lived ABC television series, "Breaking Away." The bio also notes his work appeared on NBC's "Today" show nearly 200 times.

In the last 24 hours, social media has been full of tributes to the award winning reporter. He was known as a top rated journalist and talented writer.

UPDATE 7/10/2014
Brad Woodard was laid to rest yesterday in Hayesville, NC. Reporters Kevin Reece of KHOU, Jason Whitely of WFAA, Alex Sanz of AP, and KHOU photographers Tom Empey and Gregg Hamilton attended.

UPDATE 7/7/2014
Here is Woodard's online obituary:
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 9, 2014 in the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with the Revs. Chad Chandler and Lewis Walker officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Stan Woodard, Gregg Hamilton, Jason Whitely, Kevin Reece, Tom Empey, and Tom Gasparoli. Jake Empey will serve as honorary pallbearer.



Thursday, November 16, 2023

Amy Davis has on-camera confrontation with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner


KPRC 2 investigative reporter Amy Davis has been working a long time on a series about high Houston water bills and is still looking for answers.

So Davis went to a public event at the city and asked Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner questions about the water bills. 

As you can see in the above KPRC 2 raw video, the mayor did not appreciate Davis confronting him at this event and had some words for her on camera calling the reporter "very rude" and not professional. Turner said he will call KPRC 2 General Manager Phil Lane about the incident.

Turner asked his Director of Communications, Mary Benton, to escort Davis away. 

In the video, you can hear Davis saying she sent an email with questions, and then you hear Benton saying she did not receive those questions.

Fellow journalists came out in support of Davis on Twitter.








Wednesday, January 31, 2018

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



After 740 KTRH morning host Matt Patrick's untimely death from cancer last summer, FOX 26 KRIV was put in the unfortunate position of finding someone new to step in his role on FOX Faceoff with Houston activist Quanell X.

The decision has been made and the new person on the debate couch is former investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino.

“Wayne Dolcefino and Quanell X represent a perfect point/counter-point of opinion presenting our viewers with unique perspectives on the social, governmental and cultural topics of our times from Houston to Washington and beyond," KRIV Vice President and News Director, Susan Schiller told mikemcguff.com.

You can see the lively debate between X and Dolcefino Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 5:50pm and 9:50pm.

Dolcefino previously contributed to the station's weekly political show What's You Point? with Greg Groogan.

In his time away from television news, Dolcefino is at the helm of Dolcefino Consulting.

But even with his own company, his current investigations lead the TV cameras from all of the stations his way anyway.