KBTX 3 Bryan-College Station announces new anchor lineup

KBTX 3 B/CS Announces New Evening Anchor Teams

Steve Fullhart

KBTX Media is proud to announce new anchor teams for its 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. weekday newscasts.

News 3's Steve Fullhart and Karla Castillo are joining Chief Meteorologist Shel Winkley and Sports Director Darryl Bruffett at 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. weeknights. The duo has anchored First News at Four since the newscast's inception in 2011. Fullhart has anchored News 3 at Five since 2012.

The 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. newscasts will soon be anchored by Kathleen Witte and Rusty Surette. Witte arrives at News 3 later this month from KBTX's sister station in Alexandria, Louisiana, KALB. Surette will start at KBTX in May when he finishes work at KWTV, the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City.

Fmr. KBTX met Bob French claims discrimination and retaliation against station

KBTX and Gray Television the Subject of Federal Investigation by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

UPDATE JULY 28, 2014
Bob French files lawsuit against KBTX

UPDATE

KBTX sent me the statement I asked for:

The KBTX family is disappointed to learn from other media outlets that our former colleague and friend Bob French has chosen to file a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission stemming from his employment here. KBTX and Gray Television respect the privacy of the employment relationship, and accordingly, will not litigate matters related to Mr. French's employment in the press. KBTX, however, will defend itself vigorously against Mr. French's allegations and is confident that upon reviewing the record, the EEOC will conclude that Mr. French's allegations are utterly without merit.

ORIGINAL POST

I received a press release this morning from a representative of Houston Employment Lawyer Charles H. Peckham. It says that former KBTX Bryan/College station meteorologist Bob French has filed a complaint about his former employer claiming discrimination and retaliation.

Many KBTX viewers have been emailing me asking about French's whereabouts. I had contacted French when Shel Winkley was named as his replacement in August, but did not hear back from him.

Here is the release.

Bob French

Robert “Bob” French, a Chief Meteorologist and Weathercaster employed by KBTX in Bryan and College Station for 23 years has filed a charge of Age and Disability Discrimination as well as Retaliation with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).

The charge names KBTX and its parent company, Gray Television Group, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia as the target of the allegations. KBTX and Gray Television are now the subject of a federal and state investigation by the EEOC.

Bob French, over the age of 40, claims he was overworked during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays of 2012 while other much younger employees were allowed time off. The strain of the long hours resulted in French’s in-patient treatment for exhaustion and stress-related matters in Houston in mid-January and caused his absence from the airwaves while recovering under Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave.

Upon French’s return to work and on air in April, 2013, KBTX General Manager Mike Wright allegedly reprimanded French for matters relating to his disability and FMLA leave. Shortly after, French was fired from KBTX in early July, 2013. He was replaced by a weathercaster under 40 years of age.

Bob French was employed by a written contract that French also claims was breached by KBTX and Gray Television. Suit is expected to be filed on the allegations as soon as the EEOC federal investigation is complete.

Bob French is represented by Houston Employment Lawyer Charles H. Peckham.

“For KBTX to have violated Bob’s legally-protected rights is offensive” Peckham explains. “If KBTX can fire a beloved man such as Bob French for being over the age of 40 or for simply exercising his right to disability leave, no employee is safe from similar illegal treatment. Bob is standing up to send a message to KBTX that folks over 40 are not second-class citizens.”

Charles Peckham of the Houston-based law firm of Peckham PLLC is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. No stranger to high profile cases, Peckham is currently working as the civil attorney for James Kirkland, professional boxer and WBC Light Middleweight Champion; medical board attorney for Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor accused of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, and lawyer for nationally-syndicated radio host and comedian, George Willborn. Charles Peckham concentrates in many areas of litigation including employment, real estate and commercial law.

UPDATE JULY 28, 2014
Bob French files lawsuit against KBTX

Bob French files lawsuit against KBTX


Former KBTX meteorologist Robert “Bob” French files federal lawsuit against Bryan/College Station television station

Many of you have been asking for an update on the claims of discrimination and retaliation former KBTX meteorologist Bob French made against his former station.

Today, representatives for French's attorney issued a press release (read below) that says French is filing a federal lawsuit against KBTX.

Here is the release:

Bob French

Bryan/College Station, TX. July 28, 2014: Robert “Bob” French, Chief Meteorologist and Weathercaster employed by CBS affiliate KBTX in Bryan and College Station for 23 years has filed a federal lawsuit against KBTX claiming breach of contract, age and disability discrimination, harassment and retaliation as well as violations against the Federal Medical Leave Act.

The federal lawsuit filed in Houston, Texas alleges that KBTX targeted French in early 2013 because of his age and because he was placed in inpatient hospital care due to exhaustion and depression following overwork over the 2012 Christmas and New Year’s holidays. French alleges that employees under the age of 40 were allowed time-off while French was not. While away on FMLA leave that would protect his job until his return, the lawsuit alleges that French was reprimanded for the effects of his exhaustion and depression and KBTX openly sought to replace him. In what KBTX General Manager Mike Wright referred to as a “coincidence”, KBTX advertised an open meteorologist position at the same time Bob French was away from work on protected medical leave according to the suit.

Bob French’s return to work on air was short lived as within days after his return, French was fired from KBTX in July, 2013 and was replaced by Shel Winkley a weathercaster under 40 years of age and without a disability, according to the suit.

French had previously filed a charge of Age and Disability Discrimination as well as Retaliation with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The charge named KBTX and its parent company, Gray Television Group, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia as respondents. The EEOC investigation was completed and notification of right to sue was mailed on May 29, 2014 prompting the filing of the federal lawsuit by French.

Bob French is represented by Houston Employment Lawyer Charles H. Peckham.

“For KBTX to have violated Bob’s legally-protected rights is offensive” Peckham explains. “If KBTX can fire a beloved man such as Bob French for being over the age of 40 or for simply exercising his right to disability leave, no employee in Texas is safe from similar treatment. Bob is standing up to send a message to KBTX that folks over 40 with temporary or permanent disabilities are not second-class citizens.”

Bob French was employed by a written contract that governed his activities at the station. According to the contract, French could not be terminated without cause. Bob French claims that none of the reasons given for his termination from employment were “for cause”, but instead were for illegal reasons related to his age, disability, and in retaliation for having taken FMLA leave.

Charles Peckham of the Houston-based law firm of Peckham PLLC is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. No stranger to high profile cases, Peckham is currently working as the civil attorney for Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor accused of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson and nationally-syndicated radio host and comedian, George Willborn. Charles Peckham concentrates in many areas of litigation including employment, real estate and commercial law.

A statement by KBTX parent company Gray Television, Inc. should be out later today. When I get it, I will post it here.

Shel Winkley replaces Bob French at KBTX 3

Shel Winkley, KBTX morning meteorologist, gets chief gig after Bob French's departure


UPDATE JULY 28, 2014
Bob French files lawsuit against KBTX

UPDATE DECEMBER 10, 2013
Fmr. KBTX met Bob French claims discrimination and retaliation against station

Shel Winkley

Shel Winkley's bio and social media accounts have been changed to say he is now the chief meteorologist at KBTX 3 in Bryan/College Station.

"I want to make sure the phrase 'I didn't know it was supposed to rain...snow...be severe...etc, etc' is able to leave the lips of the Brazos Valley," Winkley told mikemcguff.com. "Our goal is to make sure that we connect with folks on their level, whether that be social media (facebook, twitter, G+, you name it), on-air, KBTX.com, or even the old rusty, trusty weather-line. I'm privileged to have a talented team of meteorologists to work with and we all look forward to working more intimately with our viewers in order to bring them a better / more meaningful forecast."

"Shel served as interim Chief earlier in the year and demonstrated remarkable rapport and leadership skills with colleagues," KBTX VP/General Manager Mike Wright told mikemcguff.com. "We are counting on Shel to raise the bar and build on ratings we enjoy as the market leader."

This means the former morning met is moving up to replace the departed Bob French - who has been scrubbed from the station's website.

"KBTX is appreciative of Bob’s years of service with News 3 and he will always be part of the family," Wright told me.

As I blogged in late July, Bob French had been the chief weeknight weather anchor at KBTX since 1990. KBTX had put in former Weather Channel meteorologist Rich Johnson as a fill-in for Bob French a few months ago.

As for Winkley, his bio says that he joined the KBTX weather team in October of 2009. He was actually a former KBTX intern too. After graduating from, you guessed it, Texas A&M University in 2007 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Meteorology, Winkley went to work for KFDA in Amarillo for two years.

Now the station has to search for a morning meteorologist.

"KBTX continues to interview for that position but is narrowing our field of qualified candidates," Wright said. "We plan to announce a morning weather replacement by the end of August."

French did not respond to my request for comment.


UPDATE JULY 28, 2014
Bob French files lawsuit against KBTX

UPDATE DECEMBER 10, 2013
Fmr. KBTX met Bob French claims discrimination and retaliation against station

Darryl Bruffett announces KBTX retirement

Darryl Bruffett announced on air on July 3, 2024, that he will leave his KBTX Bryan-College Station sports director position on August 3rd after an extensive, almost 37-year career with the station.

UPDATE
Tyler Shaw promoted to KBTX sports director

Speaking of a long career,  August 3, 2022, was declared “Darryl Bruffett Day” for his 35th anniversary by the mayor of College Station.

Here is what Bruffett said to viewers during the 6pm newscast:

"As our ratings indicate, hundreds of thousands of viewers invite us at KBTX into their homes every night, and it has been my honor to be among those that you have watched nightly and trusted to bring you reliable news, accurate weather forecasting along with sports focusing on Texas A&M, Sam Houston and Brazos Valley high schools. 

Today I'm announcing that August 3rd will be my last day to serve as your sports director here at channel 3. It's what we were known as for decades in the Brazos Valley, including when I started here on August 3rd, 1987.

 As my full time sportscasting career comes to a close, we're going to look back at some of the more memorable moments in, well, you guys are probably going to laugh a lot. Those who know me best could see me shed a lot of tears. 

I did a story back in April about my mentor Matt Musil, retiring at KHOU-TV in Houston. That's where I got my start as a weekend sports producer in 1986, and a viewer messaged me saying that I was now the longest-tenured TV sportscaster in Texas. I guess it's a distinction that I've held for all of four months. 

I have spent well over half my life at KBTX, and the decision to step away was not an easy one, but I feel is the right one. 

I'll explain more during the next month and share what the future holds for me here in the Brazos Valley. I feel like I speak for all of us here at KBTX, who feel like our viewers are family, and wanted you to know that my. Howdy, Brazos Valley greeting will come to an end one month from today."

Bruffett joined KBTX on August 3, 1987, as the weekend sports anchor and news-sports photojournalist. 

Jeff McShan, left his KBTX sports position to join abc13 KTRK. As many readers will remember, he eventually moved to KHOU 11 and became a news reporter.

When Ron Crozier left the TV biz, Bruffett became the KBTX sports director in 1990.

At the station, Bruffett met his wife, Lori, who worked in the sales department then.

Years later, Lori Bruffett advanced to KBTX's general manager in 2020 after serving as the station manager since 2014.

Mia Montgomery joins KSAT San Antonio

Mia Montgomery is joining KSAT 12 San Antonio from KBTX 3 Bryan-College Station where she is the "News 3 at Noon" and "First News at Four" meteorologist.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2025
Mia Montgomery to leave KSAT San Antonio

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2022
Mia Montgomery is engaged

IN OTHER KBTX NEWS...
Kayleigh Thomas joins KBTX 3
Fallon Appleton leaves KBTX 3

The San Antonio born and Floresville High School grad starts with the KSAT Weather Authority Team in September 2022.

Here is what Montgomery posted on Facebook Thursday evening about her move from the Brazos Valley to the Alamo City:

"The next few weeks will be my last at KBTX. 

After calling the Brazos Valley home for the past 6 years through my time at A&M and here at KB, my next chapter is taking me back home to San Antonio where I’ll be joining the incredible team of meteorologists at KSAT 12 next month! 

We still have some time together, but I would just like to say thank you for allowing me to be a part of this community and for giving you all things weather alongside the rest of the PinPoint Weather Team. 

I can’t imagine finding a better place to start my career than right here in Aggieland & am SO blessed to have had both Shel & Max to look up to & learn from over the past few years. KBTX & Aggieland will always hold such a special place in my heart."

If I had to guess, I bet Montgomery is replacing meteorologist Kaiti Blake who left KSAT and the TV news biz in July 2022. But as news directors tell me, it is sometimes hard to say person x is actually replacing person y's spot. 

Montgomery joined the KBTX weather department in May 2020.

The Texas A&M University Bachelor of Science in Meteorology grad interned at KBTX and the Weather Channel. 

It is only fitting that the fourth generation Aggie started her TV career at KBTX.

Shel Winkley to leave KBTX News 3 Bryan-College Station

Shel Winkley announced he is leaving his KBTX News 3 Bryan-College Station chief meteorologist in April of 2024.

UPDATE MAY 2024
Kayleigh Thomas joins KBTX's Brazos Valley This Morning.

UPDATE 
Max Crawford promoted to chief meteorologist at KBTX Bryan-College Station

Here is what Winkley posted on Facebook: 

"After almost 15 wonderful, exceptional years at KBTX, my last day on-air in the Brazos Valley is April 25th.

From my intern days while at Texas A&M, to walking back in as an employee in 2009, to gaining your trust to lead the PinPoint Weather Team since 2013, this really has been a dream job that I honestly never imagined stepping away from. Know that it had to be an incredible opportunity to further the science of weather and climate that would take me out of your TV. This opportunity is exactly that.

I have grown so much both professionally and personally in my time at KBTX. I cannot say thank you enough for allowing me to earn your trust to cover the storms, hurricanes, historic temperatures, impacts of a changing climate, and just the day-to-day weather of Central and Southeast Texas. But also thank you for the conversations, the questions, and most importantly the support and friendships you have gifted me over this decade and a half.

We can talk about this new chapter and the work I will be doing at another time – but the good news is that I get to do it from right here in Bryan-College Station. While we may not see each other inside of an app or on-air anymore, please do say hello if you see me around town. 

My success as a meteorologist has come entirely from you. So sincerely…thank you, Brazos Valley."

Winkley joined KBTX in 2009 as its morning meteorologist.  He was promoted to chief meteorologist in August 2013.

"Going to miss working with this guy," morning anchor Karla Castillo posted.  "He’s so talented and passionate for what he does. Most importantly, he’s a wonderful dude and amazing friend."

He started his TV news career with KFDA NewsChannel 10 Amarillo as a weekend meteorologist and storm chaser.

The Texas A&M University grad interned with KBTX.  According to his LinkedIn, Winkley has been a meteorologist liaison with A&M since 2014 and a visiting lecturer since 2013.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shel Winkley (@kbtxshel)

 

Kathleen and Josh Ninke joining WAVE 3 Louisville, Kentucky

Kathleen and Josh Ninke, the married KBTX News3 Bryan-College Station morning anchor team, are leaving for Gray owned sister-station WAVE 3 Louisville, Kentucky.

UPDATE
Karla Castillo moves to KBTX 3 mornings

The Ninke's last day on air at KBTX 3 will be March 25, 2022.

Here is part of what Kathleen posted on Instagram about the TV journalist couple's new job:

"At the end of the month, Josh and I are moving to Louisville, Kentucky, to report at KBTX’s Gray Television, Inc. sister station, WAVE News. 

This is the very definition of bittersweet. I have been living in Bryan and working at KBTX for seven years now. I can barely believe it, y’all. I made some of my best friends here. I bought my first home here. I found my church here. I adopted my silly cat here. I met my less silly (but still a little silly) husband here. 

Most importantly, I learned what it means to be part of a COMMUNITY here. I’ve never experienced a place as dedicated to its own betterment. The people who live here are deeply good, and I consider myself lucky to have gotten to know them through reporting and otherwise. 

Many of you already know what it means to us to move back closer to our families. Frankly, it’s difficult to put into words. The idea of finally being short drives from our parents, our siblings, their children, makes me so happy I want to cry. Different from the tears that come when I think of what I’m leaving."

Maybe "News with the Ninkes" will return one day at WAVE 3.

Back in 2017 Kathleen Witte and Josh Ninke met as KBTX co-workers.  They were married in 2020 and months later the same year co-anchors on "Brazos Valley This Morning."

Kathleen Ninke joined KBTX in 2015 from KALB 5 Alexandria, Louisiana.  The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill grad with a master's from the University of Missouri-Columbia interned at ABC11 WTVD Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina and was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee.

Josh Ninke joined KBTX in July 2017 from WAKA 8 Montgomery, Alabama where he was a weekend anchor/reporter. The University of Georgia grad got his start in the TV news biz with WTVM News Leader 9 Columbus, Georgia as a community web producer/reporter.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kathleen Witte (@kbtxkathleen)

Katie Aupperle to leave KBTX 3 Bryan-College Station

Katie Aupperle announced she is leaving her KBTX News 3 Bryan-College Station anchor position at the end of February 2026.

Here is what Aupperle posted on social media:

"I have a bittersweet announcement. My last day on air at KBTX will be Friday, February 27th.

After joining the team in 2022, you welcomed me into your home with kindness and support, shared your stories in the best and worst of times, and trusted me to bring you the latest updates across the region.

I am eternally grateful for this community and the team at KBTX that has become more like family over the years.

The decision to step away from this position was not easy. I am going to spend more time with my family. It's the right decision for me at this time.

The good news!!! I am staying here in the Brazos Valley and will continue to contribute to this beautiful, thriving place I am blessed to call home.

Thank you for watching KBTX and for continuing to support our local news team, which is passionate about bringing you important information every day."

The Emmy-nominated reporter joined KBTX in August 2022 as a 4pm anchor.  

In August 2025, Aupperle and fellow KBTX anchor Alex Egan welcomed their first child. 

Before joining KBTX, Aupperle worked as a multimedia journalist at Gray Media's sister station, KWTX 10 Waco/Temple/Killeen. 

Aupperle began her full-time television career in Fargo, North Dakota, at Valley News Live KVLY. She was hired as a multimedia journalist and, within six months, was promoted to weekend anchor.

Her first hands-on experience in television came while she was still in college, working as a production assistant at KAGS HD News. 

A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Texas A&M University, Aupperle earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications and Journalism in 2018. While at Texas A&M, she was involved with AgriLeader Magazine and the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow organization, and she also worked for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, managing social media.

KWTX and KBTX team up for Afghanistan war coverage

With Fort Hood in its coverage area, KWTX teamed up with sister station KBTX to cover soldiers in Afghanistan

During Wednesday's Fort Hood shooting, Waco's KWTX was a constant presence on television screens across the nation as its coverage was picked up by local stations and cable news channels.

With Killeen in its coverage area, the CBS affiliate is constantly covering the largest active duty armored post in the United States Armed Services.

This is why in a time when the War in Afghanistan doesn't get as much coverage as it used to, KWTX and Gray Television sister station KBTX in Bryan/College Station are still reporting from the Middle East.

The army invited KWTX to report out of Afghanistan, and news director Virgil Teter opted to bring in support from KBTX, since Texas A&M has a high presence in Fort Hood's Afghanistan deployment.

Steve Fullhart

KBTX anchor/executive producer Steve Fullhart and KWTX Bell County Bureau Chief Rachel Cox embedded themselves with the army and shot their own footage without the help of a photographer.

"Steve is a tremendous story teller and photographer," KWTX and KBTX general manager Mike Wright told mikemcguff.com. "The combination greatly improve achieving our goals for being there."

Wright says this was the perfect opportunity to bring local stories back home to Texas.

Rachel Cox

"The intent was to not be a media entity that simply goes to post pictures from there 'just because they are there,' or to use technology to say 'hey - here we are live in Afghanistan,'" Wright told me. "The goal was to find stories that as closely as possible accurately reflect what is happening there as the US prepares for a draw down in that region."

The duo shot for their respective newscasts and then produced a half-hour special called Assignment Afghanistan. You can watch it here plus see their other daily stories from the trip.

"We are proud of the joint effort between KWTX and KBTX and seek to do more of these types of things in the future," Wright added.

Berkeley Taylor leaves KBTX News 3 Bryan/College Station

Berkeley Taylor is leaving her KBTX News 3 Bryan/College Station meteorologist position on Christmas Day 2025.

UPDATE JANUARY 2026
Berkeley Taylor joins FOX 4 KDFW

Here is a portion of what Taylor posted on social:

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. My last show at KBTX is on Christmas, and although I am so excited for the next chapter, this is the hardest goodbye yet!

The Brazos Valley has been my home for 6.5 years, and KBTX for 2.5! To say this place is special would be an understatement, I have been blessed beyond measure! The friendships I have developed extend far beyond the walls of the newsroom, and I treasure each one!"

Taylor joined KTBX in June 2023. 

Not mentioned in her KBTX bio, but I blogged about it, Taylor began her TV career at KTEN 10 Sherman/Denison in August 2022, where she was classified as a weather anchor.

The Mansfield-born and raised Texas A&M Aggie graduated in the spring of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology. 

- Cassidy Towns joins KBTX 3 BCS

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KBTX’s First Alert Weather Team (@kbtxweather)

KBTX has a married anchor team

KBTX Bryan-College Station's "Brazos Valley This Morning" teams up newlywed anchors Kathleen and Josh Ninke

I am late on this one, but it is interesting to note that KBTX News3 Bryan - College Station now has a married morning anchor team.

UPDATE MARCH 2022
Kathleen and Josh Ninke joining WAVE 3 Louisville, Kentucky

Kathleen Witte (who now goes by Ninke on air) and Josh Ninke met each other at KBTX in 2017 and just got married earlier in 2020. 

"I will say that our bosses asked if maybe Josh would consider taking my last name, Witte, so we could call the show, 'Wake up with the Witte's,'" joked Kathleen in an exchange with KBTX evening anchors Karla Castillo and Rusty Surette in announcement about the big schedule change before its debut.

As of early September, the newlyweds have been waking up together at 2:30am with Kathleen moving from anchoring the 4pm and 6pm newscasts to join Josh on "Brazos Valley This Morning" at 4:30am.

"Maybe it'll be easier because when his alarm goes off, I already wake up a little bit," Kathleen said.  "So now I'll just stay awake instead of going back to sleep. Wait a second. This is sounding this isn't sounding good [laughing]."

Surette added that when the now newlywed anchors first met, in his opinion, they were newsroom flirts!

"There was immediate chemistry," Castillo added. "This is nothing but respect to all of y'all, and I think, you know, you kept that boundary, that workroom and friends. But I think we could always tell there was something there. And that's what I think has been fun when y'all started dating and then you got married, I think we were like 'finally!'"

"We fought it for about a year, year and a half," admitted Josh. "But then it was like, 'Oh, yeah, no, this is exactly what we're supposed to be doing.'"

Anchors across the world have to look like they like each other or at least pretend like it on air, but this won't be a problem for the new BVTM team.

But even if love is in the air, the newsroom bosses still carefully suggested the new on-air pairing.

"When our boss, Josh, our news director, also named Josh [Gorbutt], when he sat me down, he said, 'Hey, this is the plan and I'm going to do it unless you tell me right now that you're like on the brink of divorce,'" Kathleen admitted. "And I said, 'We're not. We're newlyweds, so I think if ever a couple can handle it, it's right now at the beginning, it's right now."

Also on the un-official "News with the Ninke's" is meteorologist Max Crawford and reporter Fallon Appleton. No word if those two are in relationships, but what if cupid struck the KBTX team twice?

With Kathleen's time slot move, morning anchor Erika Fernandez moves to the 4pm newscast and Castillo adds 6pm news duties.

KBTX 3 Bryan/College Station launches "The Three"

KBTX 3 Bryan/College station has launched a new half-hour lifestyle show at 3pm called "The Three" or "The Thr3e" depending on where you look. 

The Brazos Valley station's digital anchor Abigail Metsch hosts the new show with Jatrissa Wooten who arrives from 41NBC News WMGT Macon, Georgia where she was a reporter/MMJ.  An’Jonae Woodson is the show's producer.

And in other news, Katie Aupperle joins KBTX News 3 as 4pm anchor from Gray Television sister-station KWTX 10 Waco/Temple/Killeen where she was a multimedia journalist (MMJ).

TUNE IN: KBTX's new lifestyle show "The Three" airs every weekday at 3 p.m., starting today! We'll keep you updated on family, food and fun in the Brazos Valley. pic.twitter.com/JVV1ekqTrx

— KBTX News (@KBTXNews) September 12, 2022

Lori Bruffett promoted to KBTX GM

Gray Television, Inc. issued a press release that announced the promotion of Lori Bruffett to KBTX 3 General Manager in the Waco-Temple-Bryan TV market:

In Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas (DMA 82), Gray promoted Lori Bruffett to General Manager of KBTX, the local CBS affiliate for the eastern portion of the market effective June 1st.

Lori started working at KBTX as an Account Executive in July 1988.

She became the station’s General Sales Manager in May 2011, and she has served as KBTX’s Station Manager since January 2014.

Over these past 32 years, Lori’s dedication and commitment have been instrumental in leading KBTX’s mission to provide outstanding service to the entire Bryan/College Station community.

KBTX 3 Bryan-College Station MMJ changes

We saw some multimedia journalist changes at KBTX 3 Bryan-College Station as of very late December 2024.

First, Caleb Britt, who joined KBTX Brazos Valley This Morning as a multimedia journalist in October 2021, announced that December 20th was his last day. Britt graduated from Shorter University and interned with WSB Atlanta. 

Incoming are two MMJs who both joined KBTX in December 2024.

Born and raised in Houston, Lillian Kosh graduated from the University of North Texas in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Communications. She interned with KBTX.

Dylan Chryst Watkiss graduated from St. Lawrence University, and then then pursued her Master's Degree in Media and Public Relations at Newcastle University in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.

KBTX sports changes in summer 2025

There have been two reporter departures in the KBTX News 3 Bryan-College Station sports department as of summer 2025.

Morgan Weaver, who joined the KBTX Sports team in June 2021, joins 12 News on WPRI 12 and FOX Providence.

Nicole Griffith, who joined the KBTX sports team in July 2022, heads off to 9NEWS KUSA Denver.

Wednesday will be my last day at KBTX. While it’s difficult, I tried to summarize how much my time here has meant to me.

Thank you for everything, Brazos Valley. 🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/X7fHmcn7VO

— Morgan Weaver (@morganweaver_) August 2, 2025

Thank you Texas 🤍 pic.twitter.com/gxGpb63XKX

— Nicole Griffith (@nicolegriff_) July 18, 2025

Darryl Bruffett celebrates 35 years at KBTX

Darryl Bruffett is celebrating 35 years with News 3 KTBX Bryan-College Station.

In fact, August 3, 2022 was declared “Darryl Bruffett Day” by the mayor of College Station Karl Mooney.

As you will see in the photos below, the KBTX staff wore mustaches in honor of Bruffett's signature look. 

Bruffett joined KBTX in August 1987 and was named sports director in 1990.

Accepting a job with KBTX changed Bruffett's job in more ways than just starting his television news career. 

The former Texas AP Sportscaster of the Year met his wife, Lori, at the station while she was working in the sales department.

Fast forward and Lori Bruffett was promoted to the position of KBTX's general manager in 2020 from the station manager role which she had held since 2014.

We had everyone in the newsroom to say CONGRATS! Check it out. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/CCp9wG2QLe

— Rusty Surette (@KBTXRusty) August 4, 2022

Clay Falls leaves KBTX 3 Bryan

The Bryan ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved KBTX Senior Reporter/Fill-in Anchor Clay Falls as the school district's next Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Monday, June 13 board meeting.

Falls, who has lived and worked in the Bryan community for over 12 years, replaces Matthew LeBlanc, who moved to the Fort Worth area in May. Falls said it is tough to leave his longtime news home but is excited about the opportunity that lies before him in Bryan ISD.

"I am honored and excited to join Superintendent Carrabine's team and their incredible communications department,” Falls said. “Amazing things are happening every day in Bryan ISD. I look forward to sharing the stories of the school district, our teachers, staff and students as well as this next chapter in my career. I'm excited to stay in our wonderful community and expand the longtime relationships built in my more than a dozen years here at KBTX-TV and in B-CS.”

Education is near and dear to Falls' heart. His mother was a physical education teacher for more than 30 years in the North Texas area, and he worked as a substitute teacher at Granbury ISD earlier in his career. He said he shares his mom’s passion for education and is thankful for the opportunity to use his media experience and knowledge in a field that means so much to him.

Bryan ISD Superintendent Ginger Carrabine connected with Falls' love for education and the deep relationships he’s formed in Bryan.

"Clay's love for Bryan and its schools is a huge asset," Carrabine said. "His experience is impressive, but his love for his community is even more impressive."

About the Hire:

Clay Falls graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Before joining KBTX, Falls worked as a bureau reporter for two years at CBS 19 in Longview. He's received several awards throughout his extensive journalism career, including being part of a team that won a Lone Star EMMY Award for coverage of tornadoes and storm damage. He was also part of KBTX’s 2022 Edward R. Murrow Award for breaking news coverage.

In his free time, Falls can regularly be seen running up and down Bryan streets, preparing for his next marathon, or skiing on both the water and the snow. He also volunteers at his church, First United Methodist in Bryan where he teaches Sunday School and sings in the choir.

Clay and his wife Heather have a three-year-old daughter named Kendall.

“My wife, daughter and I have made this home,” Falls said. “Our child will be a student in Bryan ISD in a few years. We are excited about this new journey."

(This post taken from a Bryan ISD press release)

Max Crawford promoted to chief meteorologist at KBTX Bryan-College Station

Morning meteorologist Max Crawford is taking over as KTBX News 3 Bryan - College Station chief meteorologist from Shel Winkley, who signed off on April 25, 2024.

UPDATE MAY 2024
Kayleigh Thomas takes Crawford's spot on KBTX's Brazos Valley This Morning.

Here is what Crawford posted on Facebook:

"I owe a lot to this guy. A lot of other people do, too. He never asked for recognition or praise. That’s one of the MANY things that makes him such a great leader. 

Meteorologist Shel Winkley KBTX and I always said we wouldn’t leave this job unless it was for an amazing opportunity. I’m thrilled for my former boss and one of my best friends for embarking on a new adventure. 

We have BIG shoes to fill, but he’s laid a great foundation.

I’m honored and privileged to be your next Chief Meteorologist, Brazos Valley!"

Anchor Rusty Surette says Crawford will become only the third person to hold the title "Chief Meteorologist" at KBTX.

The Texas A&M University grad interned under Winkley in 2013.  He then worked with Tom Tefertiller at KWES 9 Midland/Odessa before returning to KBTX in June 2015.

Crawford's wife, Kimberly, gave birth to a baby boy on Christmas Day 2022. 

Texas 2025 TV and radio job moves

JANUARY

- Zack Owen to broadcast on Waco mornings again
- Rudy Treviño leaves KIII anchoring, still Domingo Live host
- Suzanne Stevens joins KRIS 6 Corpus Christi
- Texas TV engagements closing out 2024
- Mariah Conduff leaves CBS19 KYTX Tyler
- Victoria Lara and Andrea Valdez leave KLTV and KTRE Tyler
- Zach Brown joins WCHS ABC 8 / Fox 11 in Charleston
- Lexie Walker joins NBC 23 Valley Storm KVEO
- Texas media babies here or on the way!

FEBRUARY

- Sophia Ridley joins KBTX Bryan-College Station
- Baylee Bates adds KCEN 5, 6, and 10pm anchor duties
- KRIS Corpus Christi's new morning TV anchors are married!
- Darrell Franklin promoted to KFDX news director
- Alan Shoemaker spotted in the 956
- DeAnna Giles joins KLTV 7 Tyler
- Claydra Rhodes promoted to KBMT Beaumont evening co-anchor
- Mike Gillaspia named KIII 3NEWS Corpus Christi evening anchor
- Lee Baker leaves KVII after 37 years

MARCH

- Devyn Darmstetter leaves ABC 7 Amarillo
- Alejandra Puente and Sierra Henry leave KTXS Abilene
- John Treviño leaves 12NewsNow KBMT-KJAC Beaumont for new station
- Karen Gonzalez leaves KRGV 5 Rio Grande Valley
- David Todd Bailey named VP/GM of KTXS Abilene
- Kayler Smith joins WDTN 2 Dayton, Ohio
- Natalie McCain takes over for Emily Faith at KFDX Wichita Falls
- TV anchor and weather baby news early 2025
- KXII Sherman anchor changes in late 2024
- Karla Salinas joins FOX5 Las Vegas
- Savannah Hale leaves CBS19 KYTX Tyler
- KBTX 3 Bryan-College Station MMJ changes
- 25 News KXXV Waco turns 40
- A Texan on what it takes to run 50 local TV Stations

APRIL

- Marcel Clarke joins ABC-7 KVIA El Paso
- KWTX 10 Waco celebrates 70 years
- Texas anchor hospitalized by red light runner
- Corpus Christi anchor recovering from surgery
- Sydney Hernandez and GM leaving CBS 4 Rio Grade Valley
- Texas anchor Shatanya Clarke Scholarship
- Inside East Texas debuts on CBS19+ Tyler
- NewsWest 9 anchor Victor Lopez battling stage 4 colon cancer
- Two Texas TV stations celebrate big anniversaries
- Ally Kadlubar leaves KWTX 10 Waco
- KVIA El Paso has familiar faces moving and returning

MAY

- Avaionia Smith leaves 6 News KCEN Waco
- Greg Bostwick announces melanoma diagnosis
- Karen Taffanelli leaves Telemundo Abilene
- KFOX El Paso morning and weekend anchor changes
- Shelby Vogel joins KFDA NewsChannel 10 Amarillo weather team
- KCBD Lubbock celebrates 72 years on-air
- Madison Palumbo and Brandon Cote join KCEN 6 Waco
- Heat wave getting to Texas TV meteorologists?
- Jenna Elique leaves NewsWest 9 Midland-Odessa
- Kylee Dedmon joins News 9 KWTV Oklahoma City
- Telemundo 40 RGV appoints Gabriela Gutiérrez weekend meteorologist
- Jaden Knowles joins 9NEWS KUSA Denver
- Brian Burns leaves 3News KIII Corpus
- Kierstin Lindkvist joins ABC 6 WSYX Columbus

JUNE

- Joel Robinson joins KYTX CBS19 East Texas
- Shalayna Valencia named KOSA Odessa GM
- KTXS 12 Abilene hiring spree
- Rudy Mireles joins ValleyCentral+ as digital anchor
- Natasha Williams named NewsWest 9 news director
- Noemy Sanchez leaves KTRE East Texas
- Cam Sanderson named KFDM/FOX4 Beaumont weekend sports anchor
- Jeremiah Stewart joins Fox West Texas
- Bob Brackeen calls it a career at KTEN Sherman
- Tara Thomas joins ABC Big 2 Midland-Odessa
- Faith Colbert joins KCEN 6 Waco

JULY

- Darrell Franklin signs off as KFDX Wichita Falls anchor
- Sara Blue leaves CBS19 KYTX; Joel Robinson takes over
- Oriana Bottaro leaves; Cristina Rodda takes over at KTSM 9 El Paso
- KBTX News BCS gets new graphics and music
- Adrian Carbajal joins KCEN 6 Waco
- Stevie Stephenson joins KCTV First Warn 5 Weather Team
- Alex Porter promoted to KTEN anchor
- 'The Ann Harder Show' launches in Waco
- Annabelle Tuggle leaves KETK and FOX51 East Texas
- Mark Garcia named NBC23 KVEO and CBS 4 GM
- Don Brubaker returns to 25 News Now Victoria
- Jonathan Munson named KIII Corpus Christi ND
- Gray Media acquires FOX34 KJTV Lubbock and Georgia station
- Noticias RGV ends operations on KRGV 5
- Bill Churchwell promoted to KIII weekend evening anchor

AUGUST

- Zach Fox joins WTOC 11 Savannah, Georgia
- Brianna Brown joins News 9 KWTV Oklahoma City
- Lauren Tear joins WFMY News 2 Greensboro
- Clemente Morales leaves Abilene Today on KRBC and KTAB
- Alex Cammarata leaves NewsWest 9 KWES Midland-Odessa
- Nasya Mancini joins KSNV News 3 Las Vegas
- TX TV anchors welcome first child and more
- Bob Hallmark retires from KLTV Tyler after 30 years
- Jonathan Polasek joins KTBX Bryan-College Station
- Mark Rowlett leaves KTXS Abilene

SEPTEMBER

- 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

OCTOBER

- Cassidy Towns joins KBTX 3 BCS
- Angel San Juan suffers minor stroke
- Newly married media members in Texas
- Jordan Williams to leave 12News Beaumont
- Allan Gwyn joins KAMR Local 4 Amarillo
- Mary Kate Hamilton leaves KOSA Midland-Odessa
- Texas media baby births and pregnancies
- Angie Martinez named KRGV news director
- Texas TV October 2025 anniversaries

NOVEMBER

- Julie Hays reveals KWTX absence details
- Zuleika Soler joins WFLA Tampa
- Kristen Darden named KRIS 6 Corpus GM-Director of Sales
- Taylor Gomez joins CBS 4 and NBC 23 RGV
- Jessica Kirk joins the StormTracker8 WRIC team

DECEMBER

- Angel San Juan returns to KFDM and FOX 4 Beaumont
- KTSM 9 El Paso brings in radio hosts for morning newscast
- Alan Holt leaves 3NEWS KIII Corpus Christi
- Texas 2026 Crystal Radio Award Finalists
- Ethan Pilson joins KCEN 6 Waco
- 97.5 KWTX-FM Waco turns 55
- Victoria Balderrama replaces Salina Madrid at KFOX14 El Paso
- James Muñoz leaves 25 News Now KAVU Victoria
- Tawny Davis joins CBS 4 News Rio Grande Valley
- Berkeley Taylor leaves KBTX News 3 Bryan/College Station
- Sarah Coria wins The Price is Right