People asking me: Where has Ilona Carson been on channel 13?
Ilona Carson
UPDATE 3/15/2013 Ilona Carson was back anchoring the KTRK abc13 11am newscast with Melanie Lawson today. This was a little over a month since her February 13, 2013 Facebook post where she said she was taking some time off.
Ilona Carson, KTRK 13 4pm anchor, has been off the air a few weeks now and people are wondering where she went.
No need to be concerned, Carson addressed her time off on her Facebook page about a month ago:
"Also- after tonight, I'm taking a couple of weeks off, so I'll see you all soon. And I have some fun stories that'll be airing in the next few weeks, so stay tuned!"
I guess we can look for Carson back in the abc13 anchor chair soon.
"Houston has been my home for years, and every day I'm reminded what an honor it is to be part of this incredible community," Carson said. "It's a true privilege to be welcomed into your home, share your stories, and help you start your day."
It's an ABC13 KTRK reunion, but the duo never actually worked at the station together at the same time. As Jacob noted on the morning newscast, Carson and his father, Art Rascon, worked together.
Carson will join the KHOU morning newscast on July 28, 2025, and stay on for the KHOU 11+ streaming portion until 9am.
Stephanie Simmons will be moving to the dayside schedule. If I had to guess, Simmons will fill the 4pm newscast vacancy left by Rekha Muddaraj.
UPDATE Rumor is Stephanie Simmons will anchor the noon newscast, and Shern-Min Chow will move from 12 p.m. to the 4 p.m. news with Ron Treviño. I asked KHOU for verification of this, but have not heard back.
Speaking of Muddaraj, back in April when I posted that she was leaving KHOU, I wrote:
"Sources tell mikemcguff.com that KHOU is hiring another new morning co-anchor. In fact, I am aware of one notable Houston TV anchor that has tried out. Stay tuned. This could get very interesting. I've been telling people in the TV industry that when new KHOU GM David Loving was hired in May 2024, given that he had already run the top-rated station in Houston a few years ago, he was going to hit the ground running and shake up the ratings. Stay tuned."
The person I was referencing was Ilona Carson, who auditioned at Channel 11 many months ago.
Last year in an interview, Carson told me she left the TV biz to escape "the daily whirlwind of live news" and focus more on her family since she is a mom to three busy kids in elementary, middle, and high school.
"When I departed from ABC 13, I thought I was retiring," Carson told mikemcguff.com in 2024. "While it was a much-needed sabbatical, I learned a lot about myself and the importance of finding a new challenge, the next step in my career. The opportunity at Comcast was simply the right fit — not just for my own professional development but also for the flexibility that my family needs. Everyday, I get to do some amazing work for one of the nation’s biggest technology and media companies. I still get to tell impactful stories and share them with Houston area viewers - which will always be in my DNA. There really is a wonderful life after news!"
Carson left ABC13 after 16 years in June 2021 and was one of the many departures around that time. She joined Channel 13 in 2005 as anchor of the 4 p.m. newscast. Over time, she expanded her role to include the 6:30 p.m. news and eventually the 10 p.m. newscast.
Before making the move to Houston, Carson worked at FOX 10 KSAZ in Phoenix. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she also spent part of her early career at KAMR in Amarillo.
Over the course of her career, Carson has been recognized with numerous honors, including a Lone Star EMMY, a National Headliner Award, and a Gracie Award.
"Ilona brings exceptional experience and an authentic connection to Houston that our audience will immediately recognize," said David Loving, KHOU 11 President and General Manager. "Her proven track record of guiding our community through challenging moments with facts, compassion, and perspective makes her an incredible asset to our team."
"Ilona is a hands-on anchor and solution-focused journalist who combines extensive experience with a relatable style that connects with viewers and reflects her love for Houston," said Kathryn Bonfield, KHOU 11 News Director. "Her ability to deliver news with both professionalism and heart makes her the perfect addition to the KHOU 11 family."
And now you might be saying, "McGuff, this happened back in September, why are you telling us this now you way behind hack!?"
Well, lately I've been getting viewer emails and tips that Carson had departed "13 Eyewitness News at 10PM" and just found out the longtime anchor had posted about it in early September!
Celebrating my last late night with the fabulous 10pm team! I’ve been on the late shift for 5 years and I’m so excited to be making a small change. I’ll be headed home in time for homework, dessert and story time! You’ll still see me at 4 and 6:30pm, and on our fun new 3pm show starting Monday as well. In the meantime, keep tuning in to my newsroom BFFs ABC13-Gina Gaston and ABC13-Erik Barajas at 10pm every night!
I checked the date of her post, September 5th, and recall my sorry state at the time. That was the week I was high on cold medicine and not really checking the internet.
Last week, I tuned in on Halloween I believe and saw Carson which confused me. Well, she was just filling in.
So there you go, sorry for missing this, but I'm sure Carson's family is happy to have her home in the evening.
Back in February 2021, Carson sent an email to the channel 13 news department, obtained by mikemcguff.com, with her intentions to step away:
"I am writing to share some personal news with you, my ABC 13 family. After 16 amazing years at KTRK, I have decided to step away from the anchor desk and the daily whirlwind of live news.
Working with you all has been a true privilege and dream come true. Now I’m ready to pursue another dream: to focus solely on my family and be fully present during these precious years that seem to be speeding by.
This decision hasn’t been an easy one, but I know in my heart it’s the right one for my husband and children.
Making this dream even sweeter, I will still be a part of the ABC 13 family. I’m beyond excited to work on future projects with our different departments. And I’m not going anywhere yet.. I’ll be a part of the newsroom until summer."
Carson arrived at abc13 in 2005 to anchor the 4pm newscast. From there, she added duties like the 6:30pm news and later the 10pm newscast.
TV news is a unique world full of quick deadlines and adrenaline rushes. While the latter might not be as potent in the corporate world (that's what energy drinks are for, I guess), skills learned while in the news trenches can continue helping journalists make a living in a post-broadcast life.
Today, we look at some Houston anchors and reporters who successfully left the television news world and are using the many skills they have learned in their new careers.
In the case of Comcast Houston, the public relations office is comprised of familiar abc13 KTRK and KPRC 2 faces.
Instead of working sources, these former journalists are now the sources for news departments as media relations for the cable and internet provider. Breaking news for them is now managing it in a crisis communications role. Writing stories now comes as a press release to help the company's public relations and external communications across Texas.
As for social media, that might be the same for both journalists and PR pros...I'm guessing a burden.
Foti Kallergis joined ABC13 KTRK in September 2013 as a reporter/fill-in anchor. The four-time Emmy Award and 13-time Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award winner started his TV journalism career in 2005, working for KFDM 6 Beaumont and then Austin stations KVUE 24 and FOX 7 KTBC.
When the University of Houston grad left Channel 13 and the Houston TV news in 2018, he moved into the PR world, first working for a marketing/advertising firm, then as Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Houston Airport System. In 2021, he joined Comcast as Senior Director of External Communications and Public Relations.
Kallergis recently hired former KPRC 2 reporter Taisha Walker and his former ABC13 colleague, anchor Ilona Carson, because of what they bring to this new form of corporate storytelling.
"I’m honored to have such a well-respected, award-winning team with nearly 50 years of combined journalism experience," Kallergis told mikemcguff.com. "Taisha and Ilona are passionate journalists who have earned the trust of the southeast Texas community. As a part of the Comcast Texas communications team, Taisha and Ilona get to continue doing what they love -- telling stories that make a difference. We know the media landscape is changing, and it's important to have a communications team that understands the needs of the ever-changing modern-day newsroom. This perspective helps us to be a more effective partner to local news organizations, which ultimately helps to better serve viewers, community partners and customers alike."
Walker was hired by KPRC 2 in 2018 after her tenure with KMBC 9 in Kansas City, Missouri. Upon earning a degree from Clark Atlanta University and a master's from Syracuse University, she also reported for WCHS 8 in Charleston, West Virginia, and KOTA Territory TV in Rapid City, South Dakota.
She left Channel 2 in May 2023, quickly joined Comcast, and is now a Public Relations Manager.
"I’m thrilled I get to continue telling stories – ones that are centered around Comcast’s network expansion efforts," Walker told mikemcguff.com. "Internet connectivity is essential in this digital world, in every industry, including the news business. Comcast is doing so many wonderful things in our own backyard, and I get to help bring those stories to life while also finding balance in my own life following an amazing career as a journalist."
Carson joined ABC13 KTRK in 2005 to take over the 4 p.m. anchor duties from a newly promoted Gina Gaston. The University of Pennsylvania graduate would also take on additional newscasts at the 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. timeslots.
A winner of a Lone Star EMMY, National Headliner award, and a Gracie award, Carson previously worked for FOX 10 KSAZ Phoenix and KAMR Local 4 News Amarillo.
In June 2021, Carson left Channel 13 to escape "the daily whirlwind of live news" and focus more on her family.
"When I departed from ABC 13, I thought I was retiring," Carson admitted to me. "While it was a much-needed sabbatical, I learned a lot about myself and the importance of finding a new challenge, the next step in my career. The opportunity at Comcast was simply the right fit — not just for my own professional development but also for the flexibility that my family needs. Everyday, I get to do some amazing work for one of the nation’s biggest technology and media companies. I still get to tell impactful stories and share them with Houston area viewers - which will always be in my DNA. There really is a wonderful life after news!"
I should add that former abc13 KTRK multi-media journalist Steve Campion recently left Comcast Houston for a new role as director of public relations at the company's West Palm Beach, Florida office.
So, for those wondering about life after TV news, here are examples of successful converts to what journalists jokingly call the PR "dark side."
It is anything but for some media types ready to move to regular hours and potentially better pay.
And if you're a Comcast or NBCUniversal employee, you get resort and theme park discounts to Universal properties! Hey Foti, are you hiring?
Even if I hadn't been watching, the tweets and comments started coming my way from curious channel 13 viewers like this one:
Hey Mike,
Do you know what's going with the News at 6PM? Dave and Gina were on and then all of a sudden, Ilona and Erik became the anchors at 6:30. It was truly odd...Hope they change it back! Dave is a fixture in Houston television, so they should not cut his air time!!
Eyewitness News at 6pm has been a full hour with Dave Ward and Gina Gaston (or Shara Fryer in the past) for decades. Now it appears Eyewitness News at 6:30pm with Erik Barajas and Ilona Carson will be the new thing.
Clearly my predictions last week about Barajas' replacing Ward in the future at least looks favorable at the moment. Don't think I'm really that good, that rumor has been around the block for years - you know there is the whole Barajas TV Dynasty thing that Isiah Carey AKA The Insite came up with.
So Barajas and Ilona Carson look to be the future of KTRK's main anchor desk, but an imposing news icon like Ward will not be easily forgotten - even just for the new half hour show.
Ward returned at the end to tease the 10pm news (he's still got that one) and to do his trademark "Before We Go" kicker segment. Can we all agree that transition from Barajas/Carson to Ward at the end was awkward? OK maybe not as awkward as Miley Cyrus twerking at MTV's 2013 VMAs but still odd.
Then there was the other member of the show...technical problems. Wow. Honestly this was the first time I've watched an entire Houston newscast since I left KTRK in 2009. It was shocking and sad. I've been receiving lots of channel 13 viewer emails in the past year asking me what's up with the station's on-air mistakes but this even surprised me. This reminded me of when I worked in Waco TV. First time I've seen this much go wrong technically on a channel 13 newscast.
Here is what I noticed:
- There was a wild robotic camera problem. It was like the camera got hit by lightning like Johnny 5 and came to life with a mind of its own. It would have been better if an anchor named Stephanie said, "forward" and then NOVA showed up. OK, a bit of an exaggeration, the camera was moving while Barajas was talking, but I love Steve Guttenberg and try to work his films in here.
- Anchors looking at wrong cameras
- A giant screen behind the anchors went blank
- Not a technical error but a mistake in my book - I hate that Smart Board. It looks like a gimmick. Does the average viewer care? I think it just slows down the pace even more than normal.
- And then there was this:
A member of the floor crew walked in front of Chief Meteorologist Tim Heller. Based on Heller's reaction, I bet he didn't even predict that one.
Better luck on episode #2 abc13. Although if it is really like this all the time, I need to start watching more often with my camera ready.
KTRK 13 4pm anchor Ilona Carson and family are doing well after giving birth to a baby boy. His name is Pierce. Her co-anchors are all a buzz on Facebook.
KTRK 13 anchor Gina Gaston posted on Facebook she would be filling in for the new mommy today. And Travis Herzog posted a little more info:
"Congrats to my 4PM co-anchor, Ilona Carson, on the birth of her baby boy, Pierce. We hear that mom and baby are doing great!"
Here she is a new mom and still going for the main prize in the SportsRadio 610 KILT Media Hotties Championship Game.
Ilona and her husband's first son, James Reid, was born in August of 2009.
One of the first news anchors I ever worked with was a chap named Ashley Webster. Ashley was from England and conveyed many of the tell-tale signs of an Englishman. He was peacefully proper. He displayed a mature attitude towards duty. And he sounded like no one else in tiny Helena, Montana, then market 210. It was an odd work of art, how a lad from London’s East End shadowed the news backdrop among the eastern slopes of the Rockies and the legends of Montana’s “Rocky Mountain Oysters” (Google it).
Last time I saw him, Ashley was doing network reports for Fox Financial. He was a great guy with great news instincts. But he couldn’t walk the mist.
Early on, I tried to personally capture that thing that made news anchors seem elevated. Not just talking audience numbers. I wanted what I refer to as The Anchor Mist.
It didn’t take long for me to see how some TV news anchors, very few, seem to effortlessly exude a charisma and confidence unique to our profession as broadcast journalists. These rare news readers carry sway without really trying, the kind of people who simply have that dignified way of carrying themselves. They are unafraid and always willing to engage in an array of debate scenarios, and they’re the best at them. They pursue subjects with the verbal aggression that might make weaker stomachs queasy.
I first recognized this syndrome when I worked in Las Vegas, with Gary Waddell. He was the main anchor at KLAS when I anchored mornings there in the early 1990s. Even as we’d whizz by his billboards on group motorcycle trips to Sunday breakfast, Gary (who rode a Harley Ultra) never took himself too seriously. He was really smart. But he didn’t advertise it.
Later, here in Houston, I met perhaps the best example yet. I spoke only briefly with anchor Sylvan Rodriguez on a few occasions and finally understood why he commanded such Houston market respect. Sylvan seemed to understand people really well, and that gave him The Mist. The fact is, pros like Sylvan can seemingly impress people not only on air, but every day during the afternoon meetings and newscast postmortem.
These are the people that everyone listens to. Coworkers will often follow them for drinks every Friday after the 10p.m. kicker. Others ask them to record cell phone greetings.
The way these professionals approach people and subjects can be subtle and remarkably effective, like a soothing, calming mist. Their grace isn’t particularly obvious or easily identifiable. But The Mist feels good. It’s not distracting. It can tingle your spine, but it won’t knock you over. A good mist is always refreshing. And people are usually drawn to it. An anchor with Anchor Mist is always controlled. Dignified. Elegant.
I worked with Mia when she interned. Even and especially then, as an eager collegiate ripping scripts and putting them in order, she displayed obvious symptoms of The Mist. Professional and attentive to detail. She honed it at Channel 39 and uses it well now at KHOU.
Ilona Carson is simply the best news anchor in the entire market, hands down. Lots of market observers are still scratching their heads on why 13 ever let her go. She’s got big skills. Unbendable, like you want in a truth teller. Warm enough to sell funnier, happier stories that look awkward when introduced by harder-edged anchor personalities.
Granted, much has changed since I walked to the exits 15 years ago. But solid and effective communication has not. More and more, less-experienced, less-engaging, less-credible people are appearing on TV and computer screens, mispronouncing words and playing the facts like a carnival shell game.
Then again, what the hell do I know? I only anchored weekends. I could feel it. But I later realized I could never, ever embody The Mist.
(Former ABC13 Houston KTRK anchor Mark Garay returns to mikemcguff.com as a guest blogger!)
Univision To Launch AM Radio Network
Univision will launch a national, Spanish-language AM radio network featuring local, national and international news. Univision America will include AM stations in nine major Univision markets like Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.
Laura Reynolds and Her Sexy Traffic
Laura Reynolds wears a lot of hats for the various CBS-owned radio stations including 610 AM, 650 AM and 100.3 FM.
Dallas' "Soul 73" KKDA-AM cleans house
Radio-Info.com reported rumors of changes and now has confirmed that Service Broadcasting’s KKDA-AM (Soul 73) Dallas cleaned house last week.
Fox TVs, AccuWeather Partner Up
The weather service will provide 11 stations like KDFW Dallas and KTBC Austin with a 24/7 live streaming video weather channel.
Lawndale's Stellar Studio Show
In 1980 Hurricane Allen hit Brownsville, traveled west and spawned tornadoes in San Antonio. If you search YouTube, you can find a clip of a period San Antonio newscast about the storm from KENS TV Eyewitness News.
Every TV station's a winner in May ratings period
Austin TV stations pulled out all the stops to get you to tune in during May, serving up a dizzying mix of titillating stories focusing on everything from alleged government waste to companies accused of shady business practices.
MOVING
The TV world will miss KPRC 2 local photographer Wally Crow who is heading to Texas Children's Hospital. The TV industry needs more guys like Crow.
Melanie Lawson signed off ABC13 KTRK Houston on Thursday night after 43 years, and the station she has given so much of her life to celebrated the longtime anchor with a spectacular sendoff.
The day, which was declared as Melanie Lawson Day in the City of Houston by Mayor John Whitmire, ended with the big announcement that the ABC13 news department conference room will be renamed after Lawson, so she will forever be connected with the daily story selections of Houston's number one-rated television station.
And in my conversation with Lawson at the end of the night, after a "Month of Melanie" honors throughout January celebrating her storied career, Lawson said she was ready to take it easy for the next few days. We can all agree, she's earned that right.
KTRK outdid itself with a fancy events tent, complete with catering, a champagne toast, and a commemorative whiskey glass for guests featuring an etching of the abc13 logo, the "Cheers to 43 years!" inscription, and Lawson's image on the bottom of the glass!
The big event not only featured her current KTRK family, but also folks from other Houston television stations, including Disney executives who flew in.
People seen in the crowd included Joel Osteen, Laura Ward, former mayor Bill White, Jan Carson, Linda Lorelle, Mary Benton, Jerome Gray, Isiah Carey, and Congressman Al Green.
And if the famous faces in the tent weren't enough, nationally known figures also offered messages on video in a montage.
Names included were Robin Roberts, Art Rascon, Tamron Hall, Michael Strahan, Ken Jennings of Jeopardy, George Stephanopoulos, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, Mayor John Whitmire, Joel and Victoria Osteen, and ABC News Group President Debra OConnell. Maybe the face that got the biggest reaction in a room full of Channel 13 employees was Lawson's former Live at Five co-anchor Bob Boudreaux.
Speakers included KTRK president and general manager Mike Carr, ABC Owned Television Stations president Chad Matthews, and ABC13's news director Keaton Fox.
After the speeches honoring the esteemed anchor, Lawson spoke to the crowd, noting that she grew up during segregation and that she is now leaving the station with the station's first Black general manager.
Mayra Moreno is adding 4pm and 6:30pm abc13 KTRK anchor duties to her schedule, in addition to current 3pm newscast, according to her personal website.
Berry delivered her first consumer report and talked with the morning crew about her 4pm anchor role.
"Yes, [Ron Treviño]'s going to be stuck with me, so I hope you guys check me out at 4 p.m., and that's changed for me because I've always done mornings," Berry explained. "I've done mornings when I was in here in Houston. I've been all over. And in my career it's always been mornings. So not getting up and doing like the rush of the day right off the top has been crazy for me. But I had coffee this morning. I took my time, I worked out."
Speaking of mornings, at TEGNA sister station WWL-TV 4 New Orleans with Brandon Walker, Berry went by Brheanna Boudreaux.
Viewers who were asking on Facebook were right, FOX 26 anchor & Traffic Authority Michelle Merhar is expecting
Michelle Merhar
Instead of just scripts and coffee, this morning on the FOX 26 KRIV news set, there was a teddy bear, pickles, cookies, chips and baby bottles!
The secret is out, anchor and Traffic Authority Michelle Merhar is pregnant with baby numero three.
"We don't know the gender yet, I don't know if we are going to find out yet, I don't know I kinda want to be surprised," an excited Merhar said.
Baby #3 arrives in July to meet Merhar's other kids Abby, 2, and James, 18 months.
"Hoo-wee you are going to have your hands full," added co-anchor Tom Zizka.
"We're doing the no sleep thing all at once, we're trying to knock it all out," replied Merhar.
I don't even really need to go into the current Houston TV baby wave we're in again. As you can tell from the links below, I'm going to busy in the next few months with birth announcements. But I can confidently say this, I will be nowhere as busy as the folks having kids!
Personally I am out of the baby phase of my life. It is now the beginning of the driving one here, one there, this birthday party, that birthday party, this sports activity, that sports activity. Get this, in the month of January we had birthday parties each Saturday and Sunday of the last two weeks.
Fox 26 Meteorologist Mike Iscovitz, Jose Grinan FOX 26 Tom Zizka on Fox 26 Michelle Merhar FOX 26 Traffic Authority sit on set with a teddy bear, pickles, cookies, chips and.... BABY Bottles!Hmmm. Guess who's having a baby?!?!?! See big announcement here
Posted by FOX 26 Houston on Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Jennifer Reyna inquiries have been hitting my inbox as the KHOU 11 Houston traffic anchor has been filling in as a morning anchor too as of late.
Readers tell me she has been filling in this summer while anchors Jacob Rascon and Ilona Carson have been on vacation.
After a little digging, multiple sources tell me that Reyna has been designated as the morning anchor fill-in.
I started hearing about Reyna delivering the news back in June when I wrote about KPRC 2 bringing back its morning traffic anchor position. Mentioning Channel 2 and morning traffic anchor clearly still brings a strong connection to Reyna in viewers' minds from her time there.
Charly Edsitty won a 2025 Gracie Award, which for 50 years, has been "celebrating five decades of amplifying women’s voices, stories, and achievements in media."
Here is a portion of what the ABC13 KTRK Houston weekend morning anchor posted on social:
"I am so grateful to the entire team who worked for months to make this incredibly important podcast come to life. It required the talents of many at ABC Audio (and beyond!) & I’m so humbled/appreciative that I had the opportunity to contribute.
Also, a huge thank you to every single person who shared personal thoughts, stories & interviews with us. We could not have tackled this very complex issue without your important voices! Ahéhee!"
A Navajo Nation citizen, Edsitty chronicles the Navajo Nation’s generations-long water rights fight. This battle reaches all the way to Washington, DC, where a proposed bill, if passed, would create infrastructure that diverts water to Navajo communities.
“For 50 years, the Gracie Awards have honored the storytellers who push boundaries and redefine what’s possible,” said Becky Brooks, President of AWMF. “This is more than an awards show—it is a movement that has championed inclusion, representation, and truth in the media. The women we celebrate today are shaping the next 50 years, ensuring that our narratives are not just seen or heard, but felt and remembered. And we are excited to have Fortune Feimster join us as the host for our Golden Anniversary Gala in Los Angeles, bringing her incredible wit and energy to this unforgettable celebration.”
I blogged a few weeks ago about the big '45 years on the air bash' held for KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward. The party was thrown by Ward's wife, Laura, at Tony's (for those not in Houston, arguably the best restaurant in town).
I came across some fantastic photos taken at the event. These pics give us a view of what the lucky 1% or so of KTRK staff who attended got to experience. Shelby Hodge reported there was "a surprise video greeting from Diane Sawyer." I can add some of the menu choices included Seared Sea Bass, Fire Roasted Amish Hen, Veal Piccata Romana and Riviera Salad.
