KTRK abc13 photographer Jaime Zamora risked life during Houston shooting incident

KTRK abc13 photographer Jaime Zamora was first on the scene during the Houston shooting, and continued delivering TV viewers excellent coverage the rest of the morning

(classicconcertphotos.com)

There were lots of heroes in today's Houston active shooting incident. Obviously the Houston, West U and Bellaire police officers and other first responders who ducked for cover, risking their own lives to stop the shooter, are heroes.

Then there was the man who reportedly got out of his car, turned on his flashlight, and waved other commuters away from the shooting area. I'm sure we will hear about more heroes in the coming days.

But since this is a Houston media blog, let me focus on one of the journalists who put his life on the line to bring television viewers coverage.

KTRK abc13 photographer Jaime Zamora was the first journalist on the scene in the West U area.

"Nothing like starting the week in the middle of an active shooter scene," Zamora tweeted a few hours after the scene settled down. "Must have heard 40 shots. Hid behind [a] pillar."

Channel 13 anchor Natasha Barrett said on air that Zamora was at the nearby Randall's supermarket, behind those pillars, trying to photograph what was happening. It was dark and at the time no one knew what was happening, where the gunshots were coming from or how many shooters were involved.

Once daylight broke, Zamora continued reporting from the scene - even on camera which is rare for a TV photog.

Thanks to Zamora's interview with attorney Skip Cornelius, the Houston TV audience first learned about one of the shooting victims. Cornelius' son was shot in the arm while in his car.

TV viewers noticed Zamora's hard work and showered the longtime KTRK employee with praise.

@13Photogzamora Jaime is a brave guy. I was late to work because I was watching Jaime's coverage. Great work.

— Kenny Kelly (@kennykelly87) September 26, 2016

Ch 13 Photog Jaime Zamora got to the scene so fast, he found himself running for cover, shooting in West University, southwest Houston, Tx. pic.twitter.com/krEp9Ls5xw

— Billy Miller (@video296) September 26, 2016

@13Photogzamora @abc13houston Thank you Jaime for your bravery while still bringing viewers the news! Glad you are safe. God bless you!

— Feevotionals (@Feevotionals) September 26, 2016

On a lighter note, Zamora was just featured on ESPN last week:

Just another day on @espn Top 10 plays of the day! @astros @MLB #flashingleather pic.twitter.com/mKkDqKaLjK

— jaime zamora (@13Photogzamora) September 23, 2016

KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora calls it a career after 38 years

He's covered Houston and the world for KTRK through three decades, now photographer Jaime Zamora announces retirement


After a career of covering everything from Super Bowls, hurricanes, presidential inaugurations and every local story in between, abc13 KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora is retiring from the Houston ABC station.

"I thank Channel 13 for thirty plus years of opportunity and excitement," Zamora told mikemcguff.com. "I wish my ABC colleagues nothing but the best.”

In his big announcement, Zamora looked back on his 38 year television news career which took him from KRIS and KZTV Corpus Christi, KVUE Austin, to finally KTRK Houston and said, "I’ve seen more pain and grief than anybody should ever see but have also witnessed great joy on many occasions."

One high-profile painful experience that Zamora recently risked his life to cover for the world took place near channel 13 in West University during an active shooting incident. KTRK's owner, The Disney ABC Television Group, commended Zamora for his live coverage.

On 9/11/2001, Zamora and anchor Tom Abrahams drove 24 hours straight to Washington DC to cover the Pentagon attack site.

Zamora and Kobos

"Those first few days were a blur," he wrote on Facebook. "We worked for weeks in the aftermath before seeing our families again."

"Jaime as one of the many super photographers to work at KTRK," former channel 13 assistant news director and reporter Don Kobos told mikemcguff.com. "A consummate professional who was always one step ahead of the competition. I worked with him on many assignments, he always made me a better reporter."

With camera on his shoulder, Zamora's KTRK career took him to places as far from Texas as Latin America, Europe, China, Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

However Zamora's lasting legacy will be right here in Harris County where he established the first ever courthouse broadcast bureau.

"To all the photographers, broadcast or print, who I’ve worked with, you are all the real warriors and I’m honored to have been a part of your fraternity," he added.

Houston TV photographer's rock photos become exhibit

I blogged about Houston television photographer Jaime Zamora's nearly 30 year old rock star photos from Corpus Christi, TX. Now those babies are being shown in an exhibit!

Jaime Zamora brings Corpus Christi’s Memorial Coliseum back to life with his photographs of rock-n-roll’s greatest musicians, showing at The Art Center of Corpus Christi this August. Zamora’s photographs capture live concerts of superstars such as Ozzy Osbourne with Randy Rhoads, Journey, Van Halen with David Lee Roth, Carlos Santana, Judas Priest, AC/DC with Bon Scott, RUSH, and more, before they became legends.

A Corpus Christi native, Zamora grew up on the city’s west side. His passion for photography and rock-n-roll started as a teenager, when he would frequent Corpus Christi’s Memorial Coliseum to capture iconic rock-n-roll performers of the ‘70s and ‘80s. At every concert he positioned himself directly in front of the stage, so his photographs could capture the high energy, heart pounding adrenaline he felt at every concert.

Don’t miss Zamora’s rare concert photos of rock-n-roll’s greatest stars, showing at The Art Center of Corpus Christi at 100 Shoreline Drive, just blocks from where the concerts rocked the Memorial Coliseum thirty years ago. The show will run through the end of August, with free admission to the public.

The opening date is August 12th. It runs all month and the best part it is free.

The Art Center of Corpus Christi
100 Shoreline Dr
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361)884-6406
http://www.artcentercc.org

See more at classicconcertphotos.com.

RELATED
Houston TV photographer unleashes killer classic rock photos

Houston TV photographer unleashes killer classic rock photos

If you like classic rock, you'll love this. The Corpus Christi Caller-Times has a great article on the city's old Memorial Coliseum. A place where lots of mega bands cut their teeth on the live circuit.

Houston television photographer Jaime Zamora was there with camera ready to capture the rocking moments:

Zamora was a Corpus Christi teenager in the late 1970s and saw dozens of shows at Memorial Coliseum, including Ted Nugent, the Scorpions and Van Halen. Concerts then were an all-day affair — Zamora and his friends sometimes skipped school to get a good spot in line. READ MORE

You can see those photos in a gallery right here.

See more at classicconcertphotos.com.

Melanie Lawson had an amazing ABC13 Houston send-off

 

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.

Former KTRK staffers I saw included Tom Koch, Jaime Zamora, Wendy Granato, Ilona Carson, Deborah Wrigley, Lori Reingold, and Justin Sternberg.

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. 

In retirement, Lawson told me she plans to travel with her husband, John Guess Jr., the CEO of the Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC). 

As for more on Lawson's future endeavours, stay tuned to this very blog!

Dave Strickland exits KPRC 2

Dave Strickland, the KPRC 2 news director since 2016, is no longer with the Graham Media Group station according to multiple sources.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2022
Bernice Kearney named KPRC 2 news director

UPDATE
Dave Strickland starts Strickland Communications.

Other recent changes at the station include KSAT San Antonio's Phil Lane taking over the KPRC Vice President and General Manager role from the recently retired Jerry Martin.

KPRC did not respond to my questions.

Strickland was previously the abc13 KTRK Vice President and News Director from 2000 to 2015.

"Dave Strickland is simply the best in the business as proven by his record at KTRK and KPRC over the last many years," legendary former KTRK anchor Dave Ward told mikemcguff.com.  "One would be hard pressed to find anybody who knows news better than Dave Strickland."

Strickland was honored with Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award in 2021.

"I'm shocked and disappointed, Dave was one of the best news directors in the country," former KTRK assistant news director and award-winning reporter Don Kobos, who worked with Strickland for 25 years, told mikemcguff.com.  "He made channel 13 KTRK and KPRC newscasts better, award winning and number one.  Houston loses a giant."

"Strickland understood what local news should be about," former KTRK 13 Undercover investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino told mikemcguff.com.  "Channel 2 is the leader in exposing corruption.  Strick came from 13 and he knew what people wanted."

 "Dave was a great News Director to work for," former KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora told mikemcguff.com.  "Tough but fair and he has a nose for news. He respected his staff and demanded the best from them and got it.  He never hesitated to send his journalists wherever the news was and gave them all the resources and support to be successful.  Open minded and willing to listen to staff suggestions.  The Houston market will miss his experience."

The native Houstonian, who grew up in Sharpstown and graduated from Alief Hastings and Sam Houston State University, started his TV career in Houston.

"I hired Dave out of college after he interned for me in sports at 13," former KTRK sports director (and later KHOU 11) Bob Allen, who passed away in 2016, told mikemcguff.com in 2014. "I'm proud of him for turning into a terrific news director. It was an honor to work for and with him at 13."

Strickland worked his way up at KTRK to managing editor.

Leaving Houston in 1994, Strickland became an executive producer at WAVY Portsmouth, Virginia and later news director.

He returned to Houston at KTRK in 2000.

Houston TV sports reunion with Tim Melton as guest of honor

Houston sports fan would have done a double take if they had been at Goode Company Armadillo Palace on Kirby Thursday afternoon.

Former abc13 KTRK assistant news director/reporter Don Kobos arranged a mini-reunion of Houston TV sports departments with representatives from channels 2, 11 and 13.

Longtime abc13 KTRK weekend sports anchor for many decades, Tim Melton, was the guest of honor. You might remember that Melton suffered a stroke in 2011. I am happy to report I hear he is doing well.

Some of those I hear that were in attendance to toast Melton were Bob Slovak (KTRK), Randy McIlvoy (KPRC), Greg Bailey (KTRK), Tom Koch (KTRK), Butch Alsandor (former KHOU Sports Anchor), KPRC 2 news director Dave Strickland, Jaime Zamora (former KTRK photographer), Joe Gleason (KTRK sports producer) and Ted Markus (former KTRK sports producer).

Texas #TVnews and radio job moves September 2018

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

CBS11 KTVT takes a double hit with loss of husband-wife duo Dan Haggerty, Cristin Severance.

NBC5 KXAS’s weekend anchor Cory Smith leaves to join WRC in Washington, D.C.

REMEISHA SHADE joins ABC Affiliate WEWS in Cleveland as Weekend Meteorologist and will fill-in on weekdays and report. Remeisha who previously worked at NBC Affiliate KXAS in Dallas is a graduate of Florida State University and is AMS Certified.
- Mort Meisner Associates

Angelina Armendariz joins Univision 23 in Dallas as an MMJ from Telemundo 40 in McAllen.
- nwtgroup

Yona Gavino signs a new agreement as reporter at KTVT, the CBS O&O in Dallas.
- nwtgroup

“Smooth R&B 105.7” KRNB dropped the “Steve Harvey Morning Show” and announced show replacement “The Morning Rush” with comedian Rudy Rush and Claudia Jordan.

Texas Country KPLX 99.5 The Wolf in Dallas/Fort Worth debuts a new morning radio hosted by DFW radio personality Nathan Fast.

WFAA Marketing Director Blair Nelson Heads to KUSA.

HOUSTON

Houston Chronicle Austin bureau chief Mike Ward resigned his position after allegations surfaced that he made up sources for stories.

Monica Rhor has left the Houston Chronicle to join USA Today as a national writer.

Houston Chronicle Assistant Business Editor Ronnie Crocker announced he has been named editor of the Beaumont Enterprise. He's been with the Chron for more than two decades.

abc13 KTRK anchor Erica Simon says wearing makeup to cover her freckles on air is part of the required "uniform."

Former Rock 101 KLOL DJ Steve Fixx is now Director of Internal Communications for Mattress Firm.

Hot AC MIX 107.3 WRQX WASHINGTON, D.C. signs Corinna Delgado for middays. She was most recently with sister 104.1 KRBE.

COX MEDIA GROUP/HOUSTON Dir./Sales Judy Lakin is set to retire from her position, effective at the end of 2018.

- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 inductees
- Frank Billingsley diagnosed with prostate cancer
- Former KIAH GM Roger Bare to head Bayou City Art Festivals
- NewsFix and morning dose cancelled by Tribune
- Former Houston TV staffers land gigs in Florida
- Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2
- NewsFix signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News
- KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora calls it a career after 38 years
- Former KHOU photographer lives "Life Below Zero"
- Tom Zizka moving to weekends
- KTXH bringing back that 20 Vision feeling
- 'Wake Up! With SallyMac & Lina' debuts Monday on FOX 26 KRIV
- Telemundo Houston and Entercom radio team up
- In 'Santa Fe Strong,' KHOU follows the high school football team after shooting tragedy
- KHOU Avenida Studio in downtown Houston debuts

SAN ANTONIO

KSAT reporter Courtney Friedman joins Tim Gerber on the 10pm weekend newscast.

KABB's 9am team re-branded "Daytime @ Nine" (since August 2011) as "Daytime with Kimberly & Esteban."

AUSTIN

Fox 7 reporter Destiny Chance has been upped to weekend evening anchor, taking over for Ashley Paredez, who is now at sister station KDFW in Dallas.

AROUND TEXAS

ALYSSA MEISNER moves to Morning and Noon Anchor at KDBC in El Paso (from weekends at WOWK, Charleston, WV).
- Steve Swienckowski at DCA Talent

Jasmine Haynes makes a 135 market jump to News Reporter/MMJ for KSN Wichita, KS. Previously, she was the morning anchor at KAVU Victoria.
- CBK Media Management

KGBT Harlingen anchor Nicole Hickl is taking some time off to manage her mental health.

WRGT morning anchor and sports director Erik Elken is leaving Dayton, Ohio to join KVIA El Paso as an evening anchor.

ASHLEY KRAMLICH jumps 83 markets and becomes the Weekend Meteorologist at WBFF FOX in Baltimore from meteorologist at KYTX in Tyler, Texas.
- 3 KINGS ENTERTAINMENT

RYAN NELSON jumps 42 markets and becomes a Reporter at WJAX-TV in Jacksonville, Florida from reporter at KRGV in Weslaco, Texas.
- 3 KINGS ENTERTAINMENT

KGBT hires sports anchor Daniel Esteve.

REMEMBERING

Remembering CBS radio's Dave Barrett (former 740 KTRH reporter)

Robert Gray, KPRC's first live news reporter, dies at 94

Houston TV lost two legendary photojournalists

Former longtime Houston TV photojournalists Tony Chapa of KTRK 13 and Steve Long of KPRC 2 have died in the past week. 

Chapa was nearly a 30-year employee of ABC13 KTRK who previously worked for KIII 3 Corpus Christi.

"He was a quiet and sometimes intimidating presence on scenes and at news conferences," wrote Channel 13 reporter Jessica Willey.  "He was a hard worker, incredibly capable and could rig anything but, more importantly he was my friend. Actually, Tony was like a big brother to me. He and I travelled extensively together to cover the biggest news at the time—Hurricane Katrina, the Pope’s death, a World Series, the War in Iraq, a presidential Inauguration, the DNC, to name a few."

Chapa also helped cover the Branch Davidian compound standoff near Waco in 1993 with reporter Wayne Dolcefino.

"Tony was someone I looked up to since we both worked in the Corpus TV market when I was just a kid starting in the business," former KTRK photojournalist Jaime Zamora told mikemcguff.com.  "When he moved to Houston TV he encouraged me to try to get in with KTRK and was influential in me getting hired at Channel 13.  A giant man with a bigger heart.  A great photographer who covered any story with ease.  A lover of great music and baseball, we had so many fun times together.   I loved him and my family loved him.  He will be dearly missed."

And I just heard that former KPRC 2 photojournalist Steve Long also died.  Long joined KPRC in 1975 after serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked with the famous police beat reporter Jack Cato. 

"He was a great singer and keyboardist—played in a band—and just had the best, funniest personality," former KPRC 2 reporter Ron Stone Jr. told mikemcguff.com  "And he was a terrific newsman—-just had a nose for news and I was so fortunate to work alongside him and learn from him. Loved the guy! We all did!"

"Everyone remembers him for his calmness in a tough job," added former KPRC 2 photojournalist John Treadgold.  "Also a great teacher of newbies in the business in the 70s/80s like myself."

Miya Shay celebrates Lunar New Year with Houston media guests

(photo credit: StandBy Productions) 

ABC13 KTRK reporter Miya Shay and State Rep. Gene Wu recently held a party celebrating the Lunar New Year at Horizon on Sunset, complete with a lion dance from Soaring Phoenix and Houston media guests! 

As I was scarfing down food from China Star Buffet, I saw current and former journalists in the crowd, including Mario Segura, Jaime Zamora, Scott Braddock, Pooja Lodhia, Lileana Pearson, Karen Hua, Rosie Nguyen, Jason Nguyen, and Nancy A. Vazquez.

HBO MAX original "House of Ho" cast member Aunttina Thienhuong Ho and former ABC "The Bachelor" contestant Erica Rose represented the Houston unscripted TV world.

Pagel, Davis, Hill, P.C., and QBS Consulting co-hosted the party.

The year of the Horse began on February 17, 2026, ending on February 5, 2027. It replaces the Year of the Snake, which ended February 16, 2026. 

A horse sculpture in the courtyard, where the lion dance took place, was provided by Kirksey Gregg Productions.

(photo credit: StandBy Productions) 

Bob Allen's movie career with the Astros and World Series

I saw my friend Jaime Zamora post that October 20th is the unfortunate anniversary of legendary Houston sportscaster Bob Allen's death.

Allen, 70, lost a long battle with cancer in 2016.

Most known for his decades-long tenure with ABC13 KTRK and later KHOU 11 Houston, Allen was an early supporter of this very blog.

As I was looking at my past posts, I remembered the famous HISD graduate, who was not only a TV star but also appeared in movies!

Allen's first foray into Hollywood actually happened right here in the Bayou City in 1977 for the made-for-TV movie "Murder at the World Series."

Back in 2009, I had been chronicling Houston anchor movie appearances, and Allen wrote me with this hilarious message:

"Mike...I am saddened and disappointed you left out two very seminal moments in cinema. My appearance as Frank the sportscaster in the ABC made-for-TV movie in 77 called 'Murder at the World Series.' I even remember my line. "There he is..Bill..Bill Virdon...who will you pitch on Friday?"

He had perfect recall, because if you watch Allen's "Murder at the World Series" appearance, that is precisely what happens!

"Then there's the blockbuster 1989 theatrical juggernaut 'Night Game' with Roy Scheider, where I was the Astros play-by-play announcer, whose miscall of the winning pitcher got someone killed in Galveston."

While we're not watching the Houston Astros play in the World Series in 2025, that honor goes to the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, we can at least watch our team and Bob Allen in a film. 

ABC13 photojournalist Mike Menchaca toasted by legendary anchors

Mike Menchaca, a photojournalist with ABC13 KTRK Houston for over three decades who just retired, was toasted by family and current and former Channel 13 colleagues Friday night.

Menchaca's wife, Traci, threw the party and told the crowd how she met Mike by calling the Channel 13 sports department!  Now you know KTRK is all about news, weather, sports...and love!

Retired KTRK photojournalist Jaime Zamora read a proclamation by Houston Mayor John Whitmire and emotionally recounted how he and Menchaca, friends for decades, helped each other through the Texas television landscape from Corpus Christi to KVUE Austin and KTRK.

In thanking everyone for coming to his retirement party, Menchaca remembered those who were important to him and who couldn't attend. He mentioned names like 13 Outdoorsman Thom Dickerson, Bob Allen, Tim Melton, and former KTRK general manager Jim Masucci.

Iconic anchors and reporters such as Shara Fryer, Tom Koch, Don Nelson, Don Kobos, Art Rascon, Deborah Wrigley, and Jeff McShan were there to honor Menchaca. 

I saw current KTRK staffers celebrating the legendary photographer, including Jessica Willey, Jeff Ehling, Pooja Lodhia, Mycah Hatfield, Joe Gleason, Chaz Miller, Courtney Fischer, Rosie Nguyen, Pat Tobin, Damion Smith, David Aguillard, John Carreon, and Doug Schurtz among others.

Menchaca and I reminisced about our trip to Central Texas to interview the legendary Cadet Don, AKA Al Eisenman, who entertained Channel 13's younger viewers on weekday mornings from 1959 to 1968. Now, before you ask, no, I can't remember if we got to "meet" his pal Seymour or not! The Houston Chronicle even mentions our Cadet Don story!

The changing faces of Houston TV news 2018

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

JANUARY 2018
- Taisha Walker joins KPRC

- Sofia Ojeda returns to KPRC weekend morning anchor desk

- Anoushah Rasta joins NBC Bay Area

- Janel Forte joins KHOU + new set

- Minerva Pérez Joins NHMC Board of Directors

- Josh Chapin exits KHOU 11

- Brian Collister leaving KXAN Austin

- Noel Ramos promoted to KTMD assistant news director

- Shelley Childers joins KTRK abc13

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

- Mayor names Mary Benton interim press secretary

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

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

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

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

- WCBS New York reporter Jessica Borg joins KHOU 11

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

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

- Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

- Owen Conflenti announces baby

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

- Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13

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

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

- KHOU GM Susan McEldoon announces retirement

- Levi Ismail joins KHOU 11

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

APRIL 2018
- David Gonzalez joins KHOU 11

- Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13

- Brittany Jeffers joins KPRC 2

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

- Lisa Vaughn exits FOX 26 KRIV

- New KHOU 11 graphics 2018

- 2018 Texas RTDNA Regional Murrow Award winners

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

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

- Dave Ward’s year since leaving channel 13

-Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract

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

- Don Nelson recalls his Rockets head shave

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

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

- Ken Hoffman #4 Houston Chronicle columnist?

- Telemundo Houston travelling to Russia for World Cup 2018

- Harris County jurors get Dave Ward appearance

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

- KHOU 11 demolition photos

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

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

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

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

- Director of social media production

- Jake Reiner leaving KPRC 2

- Darby Douglas exits KHOU 11

- 2018 Lone Star Awards announced by Houston Press Club

- Colorado Securities Commissioner Gerald Rome

- KPRC's Sara Donchey is expecting

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

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

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

- KPRC 'Houston Life' changes coming

- Charly Edsitty joins abc13 KTRK

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

- Where is Greg Bailey on abc13 KTRK?

- Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2

- Bobby Springer new KHOU 11 station manager

- TV talent fashion advice from the pros

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

- Aaron Wische named KPRC 2 Assistant News Director

- David Paul's new haircut was a happy accident

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

- Telemundo Houston's Martín Berlanga to leave KTMD

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

- Katherine Marchand joins abc13 KTRK

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

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

- Sara Donchey has her baby

- Lina De Florias joins FOX 26

- Good news for Greg Bailey!

- abc13 KTRK to debut 3pm newscast

- KHOU 11 reveals what happened during Harvey evacuation

- Sherry Williams is leaving KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's Sherry Williams joins HISD


SEPTEMBER 2018
- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 inductees

- Frank Billingsley diagnosed with prostate cancer

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

- NewsFix and morning dose cancelled by Tribune

- Former Houston TV staffers land gigs in Florida

- Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2

- NewsFix signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News

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

- Former KHOU photographer lives "Life Below Zero"

- Tom Zizka moving to weekends

- KTXH bringing back that 20 Vision feeling

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

- Telemundo Houston and Entercom radio team up

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

- KHOU Avenida Studio in downtown Houston debuts


OCTOBER 2018
- Leigh Frillici signs off from KPRC 2

- Greg Bailey returns to KTRK...again

- Erica Simon is pregnant

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

- Foti Kallergis leaves abc13 KTRK for PR role

- Darby Douglas gets a new grandson

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

- CW 39's Maggie Flecknoe is a survivor

- Alejandro Mendoza joins Telemundo Houston KTMD

- KHOU 11's Ron Trevino is married!

- Sharron Melton returns to Houston TV on CW 39 KIAH

- Adam Clanton and Theresa from The Buzz have a baby

- TJ Parker joins abc13 KTRK

NOVEMBER 2018
- Jerry Vazquez on the rise of Telemundo Houston

- Stefania Okolie joins abc13 KTRK

- Lindsey Day joins CW 39 KIAH Morning Dose

- Stephanie Simmons joins KHOU 11

- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 highlight videos

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

- Don Kobos honored in Lone Star EMMY Chapter Silver Circle

- Samica Knight returns to abc13 KTRK

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

- iHeartMedia Houston and the Houston Astros extend partnership

- Telemundo Houston takes home 15 Lone Star EMMYS

- InnovationMap launches from Gow Media

- Natasha Barrett joins city of Baytown

- Christine Noël joins KPRC 2

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

- Univision 45 November 2018 sweeps victories

- Telemundo Houston releases November 2018 sweeps wins

- Lainie Fritz gets her ring

- Lance Roberts rejoins 700 KSEV

- VIDEO: KHOU 11 returns to air during Hurricane Harvey

- Craig Hlavaty leaves Houston Chronicle for HMNS


DECEMBER 2018
- Carlos Robles promoted to Telemundo Houston chief meteorologist

- Frank Billingsley announces he is cancer free

- Chelsey Hernandez appears in new movie

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

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

- Rachel McNeill officially signs off KPRC 2

- The Brooks Garner baby is here

- Steve Simon returns to CW39 KIAH as news director

- Trey Serna returns to CW39 as senior producer and talent

- Rachel Briers joins abc13 KTRK

Houston media members affected by COVID-19

Rucks Russell has passed away 

May 12, 2021

John "Rucks" Russell, former KHOU 11 reporter, has died at the age of 55.

Courtney Fischer recovering from COVID-19
February 2021
Courtney Fischer announced right before our Texas arctic blast that she is battling COVID-19 but feeling better.

Keith Garvin and Christine Noël recover from COVID-19 

January 15, 2021

KPRC 2 anchors Keith Garvin and Christine Noël announced on social media  they have both recovered from COVID-19 in the last weeks.

Art Rascon, and son Jacob, battling COVID-19

January 15, 2021

Longtime abc13 KTRK anchor Art Rascon and his son, KPRC 2 anchor Jacob Rascon, took to Facebook to publicly talk about their family's battle with COVID-19.

Courtney Zavala and Darby Douglas dealing with COVID-19 

January 08, 2021

Courtney Zavala's husband, Orlando, is battling COVID, while former KHOU 11 morning traffic anchor Darby Douglas has tested positive.

Dominique Sachse tests positive for COVID-19

January 07, 2021

Dominique Sachse posted to YouTube about her battle with COVID-19.

David Nuño returns after COVID-19
DECEMBER 25, 2020
David Nuño, the abc13 KTRK weekend sports anchor, took to Twitter to say his COVID-19 battle made him feel like Baby Yoda.

Melanie Lawson returns to work after COVID-19
DECEMBER 11, 2020
abc13 KTRK anchor Melanie Lawson and others report on their COVID-19 quarantine or positive test.

Britta Merwin returns after COVID
DECEMBER 7, 2020
KPRC 2 morning meteorologist Britta Merwin announced her return after a COVID quarantine.

Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK
SEPTEMBER 09, 2020
abc13 KTRK weekend sports anchor Bob Slovak says his job is like so many others - a misfortune of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Janel Forte requests prayers for her grandmother
AUGUST 19, 2020
KHOU 11 reporter Janel Forte tweets that her grandmother has sadly passed away at age 96.

abc13 KTRK hosts 'COVID-19 and Our Schools' town hall
JULY 28, 2020
ABC13, Houston’s news leader, presents, “COVID-19 and Our Schools” a two-night town hall.

Astros TV's Todd Kalas to miss beginning of season after positive COVID-19 test
JULY 24, 2020
Todd Kalas, Houston Astros TV play-by-play broadcaster, posted on Twitter he will be missing the start of the 2020 season due to a positive COVID-19 test result.

Lily Jang's father dies of COVID-19
July 9, 2020
Former KHOU 11 morning anchor Lily Jang posts that after a hard fought battle that began with COVID-19 nearly five weeks ago, her beloved father has passed away.

Taniya Wright reveals why she had to put her health first
JULY 08, 2020
Former KPRC 2 morning anchor Taniya Wright reveals what it was like to have a hospital procedure during COVID-19.

Ryan Chase tests positive for COVID-19
June 29, 2020
104.1 KRBE "Roula and Ryan Show's" Ryan Chase tested positive for COVID-19 he revealed on Twitter.

Bill Barajas tested positive for COVID-19
June 28, 2020
KPRC 2 reporter Bill Barajas announced Sunday night on Facebook that he has returned to work after testing positive for COVID-19.

Houston Public Media experiences staff cuts due to COVID-19 budget shortfalls
June 23, 2020
Current reports that Houston Public Media (News 88.7 KUHF/Houston PBS 8 KUHT) is among the latest public broadcaster cutting staff due to budgetary shortfalls stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.


ABC13 President and GM shares warning after contracting COVID-19 from young daughter
June 22, 2020
KTRK abc13 is reporting that its own President and General Manager, Wendy Granato, has tested positive for COVID-19.

abc13 KTRK Virtual Town Hall discusses COVID-19 impact in Houston Asian American Community
May 24, 2020
Hosted by ABC13’s Eyewitness News reporter Miya Shay, the town hall coincides with the observation of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and will discuss the disparate challenges of COVID-19.

KUBE 57 High School Sports Zone cancelled
May 20, 2020
Todd Freed's High School Sports Zone show on KUBE 57 has been cancelled due to economic factors stemming from the Coronavirus.

"Producer Hoss" in hospital with COVID-19
May 17, 2020
Radio producer/on-air talent Adrian ‘Producer Hoss’ Perez for Cox Media Group Houston is battling COVID-19.

KLOL's Dayna Steele starts podcast
May 14, 2020
While quarantining from home, the Texas Radio Hall of Famer and former Rock 101 KLOL DJ has been reaching out to her vast network and landing some great interviews.

The future of TV news work after COVID-19
May 12, 2020
TV stations have been forced to jump technologically thanks to the coronavirus, so when this is over, do we fully return to normal operations?

97.5 FM KFNC hosts Raheel Ramzanali and Barry Laminack out
May 6, 2020
The duo reportedly lost their jobs because of the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic the station said.


abc13 KTRK holds virtual town hall to address COVID-19 & communities of color
May 06, 2020
ABC13 anchor Chauncy Glover, who battled COVID-19 and has since recovered, will moderate the discussion, featuring U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, entrepreneur and community activist Tina Knowles-Lawson and other community and medical leaders.

Univision cancels some weekend newscasts, announces job cuts
April 28, 2020
Univision layoffs and furloughs announced, cancellation of Saturday newscasts


Houston film critics review "Movies on Lockdown" free for broadcast
APRIL 24, 2020
With movie theatres shuttered, the Houston Film Critics Society is now posting at home viewing suggestions on its website to help movie fans endure lockdown, while offering free access to movie reviews from select Society members to broadcast stations across the US and Canada (the critics will also appear live).

KPRC 2 went bananas and then this happened
APRIL 23, 2020
On a story about Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s mandatory mask order and $1000 potential fine, the NBC affiliate accidentally wrote you can wear "homemade masks, scarfs, bananas."

VIDEO: Randy McIlvoy talks sports broadcasting during COVID-19
APRIL 23, 2020
KPRC 2 sports director Randy McIlvoy talks to the High Tech Texan Michael Garfield for "The Quarantine Chronicles."

Familiar Houston radio voice battled COVID-19; family still in quarantine
Apr 17, 2020
Marc Sherman's voice is familiar to many Houston radio listeners. He spent years on sister station Sunny 99.1 with Dana Tyson. And like thousands of people in the Greater Houston area, Sherman fought a battle he never expected to; one with COVID-19.


EXPLAINED: How KPRC 2 decides how long to keep a press conference running on live television
April 17, 2020
Why do you always cut off the President of the United States in the middle of his televised speech and why don’t you cut off President Donald Trump when he is giving an obvious campaign stump speech?

New York Times Best-Selling Author Shea Serrano Raises $31,000 for the Houston Press
April 13, 2020
Last week, we ran an appeal to readers as part of our recent campaign to attract donor/members to help support the continuing work of the Houston Press.

KTRK GM Granato: "TV is seeing a huge resurgence"
April 13, 2020
abc13 KTRK president and general manager Wendy Granato: "We thought we'd lost the 20-something year olds, we thought we lost them to social media, we haven't."


Mia Gradney to anchor CBS Weekend News Easter weekend
April 11, 2020
KHOU 11 5, 6 and 10pm anchor Mia Gradney anchoring for CBS News' weekend newscasts

Carlos Robles using augmented reality weather graphics from home
April 10, 2020
Telemundo Houston KTMD chief meteorologist Carlos Robles is using augmented reality weathercasting in his living room.

KPRC 2, KHOU 11, FOX26, CW39 join forces for COVID-19 PSA
April 9, 2020
Channels 2, 11, 26 and 39 come together to show Houston TV solidarity during coronavirus pandemic.

Houston churches to air on local TV Easter Sunday
April 8, 2020
While you can't physically attend Easter Service, Houston churches and television stations are joining forces to help you celebrate without leaving your house.

TEGNA, owner of KHOU and many Texas stations, announces furloughs
April 6, 2020
TEGNA, owner of Texas stations like KHOU Houston, WFAA Dallas, KENS San Antonio, KVUE Austin, KCEN Waco, KAGS College Station, KYTX Tyler, KIII Corpus Christi, KBMT-KJAC Beaumont, KXVA Abilene and KIDY San Angelo has announced week long furloughs to come this month.

Nick Natario takes stay at home studio to next level
April 5, 2020
abc13 KTRK multi-media journalist (MMJ) Nick Natario builds awesome home studio, while channel 13 tests emergency broadcast location

Former KHOU photographer John Shaw loses wife to COVID-19
April 1, 2020
Shaw tells his former station that he recently lost his wife to COVID-19 after being with her for more than 50 years.


Chauncy Glover discusses experiencing COVID-19
March 31, 2020
Chauncy Glover goes live with his 3pm co-anchor, Mayra Moreno, about his condition.

Morning Dose returns to CW39 Monday away from studio
March 29, 2020
After being off the air Friday, CW39 KIAH's Morning Dose returns Monday.

FOX 26 KRIV tests remote broadcasts
March 29, 2020
Weekend anchor Tom Zizka posted photos on Facebook of FOX 26 KRIV conducting broadcasting tests from its transmitter location.

COVID-19 pandemic forces sports media to adapt
March 27, 2020
With a lack of sporting events for the foreseeable future, media outlets have pivoted in attempts to fill a content void for their audience.

Chauncy Glover tests positive for COVID-19
March 26, 2020
Chauncy Glover, 3pm and 6:30pm anchor for abc13 KTRK, announced today he has tested positive for coronaviurs and is self-quarantining.

Cleverley Stone puts show on hold
March 21, 2020
CBS SportsRadio 650 KIKK "Cleverley Food Talk" radio host Cleverley Stone posted the following: "Due to the Coronavirus issue and my illness (I’m fighting stage 4 uterine cancer with chemotherapy treatments), we are putting The Cleverley Show on hiatus for now."

From the Houston Chronicle editor: During coronavirus crisis, we’re working for you
March 20, 2020
A word about newspaper delivery during these troubled times: We have no indication from health authorities that the coronavirus can be spread on newsprint. But in an abundance of caution, we have provided gloves to all our press workers and delivery agents. And we are aggressively sanitizing our facilities daily.

TV anchors broadcast from home
March 20, 2020
Houston news anchors are staying home, but still delivering the news on TV.
- Houston TV helps the kids online

VIDEO: New ways TV news crews are working during COVID-19
March 19, 2020
Many Houston TV news stations are not letting their field crews (reporters/photographers) come into the station unless absolutely needed. Many are now staging from home and going to the story in their own vehicles. Some stations pair teams together to work strictly away from the station.

The Houston Press Not Immune to These Hard Times, Needs Help
March 19, 2020
As the Houston Press has documented for you over the last several days, these are hard times for our city. We’ve gone out of our way to detail the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, especially for those in the arts, music and restaurant/bar communities, as well as relaying important public-health news and updates.

abc13 KTRK reporter Miya Shay and photographer Mario Segura confronted during live shot
March 13, 2020

I’m just going to assume this guy dropped a bunch of F bombs on me this morning because his wife sent him for toilet paper too early. #jobhazard#Coronavirus #COVID19 is serious. We are not hyping it. #abc13 https://t.co/fWUjPZUbWc pic.twitter.com/9zMhcP46xp

— Miya Shay (@ABC13Miya) March 13, 2020

Houston Chronicle news staffers could have been exposed to coronavirus
March 10, 2020
Four Houston Chronicle journalists attended a conference last week where a participant has had a presumptive positive test for novel coronavirus.

Former abc13 KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora's daughter is blogging for KPRC 2 on what it is like on lock down in Spain
March 9, 2020 and ongoing
Isabella Zamora, a Houston native and Maddie Wharton, of Portland, Oregon, were teaching in Spain together when Madrid went on lockdown over the coronoavirus. They will share their experiences on click2houston.com to provide a real-life view of what life is like right now in Spain.

KPRC 2′s Eric Braate under self-quarantine after returning from trip to Asia
March 9, 2020
KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate just returned from a two week trip to Asia and has been asked to self-quarantine as a precautionary measure. Braate says he was not anticipating having to self-quarantine because when he left for the trip, the situation had not grown to what it is now. He feels fine and is healthy and said had he known how the coronavirus crisis would play out, he would have reconsidered his two-week trip.
- UPDATE 3-17-2020: ‘I’m on a 14 day quarantine. This is what it’s like.’