Britt Moreno joins KXAN Austin

Britt Moreno, CBS 4 Denver KCNC morning and noon anchor (O&O), left the station in April after eight years to join KXAN Austin.

UPDATE JULY 2024
Britt Moreno leaves KXAN Austin

Moreno debuted on KXAN Austin in June 10, 2021 as the Nexstar station's 4:30pm, 5pm, 6pm, 9pm and 10pm newscast anchor taking the place of Sydney Benter who left in May.

RELATED
Katie Orth joins KWGN 2 Denver from ABC Big 2 News KMID Midland

Here is a transcript of what Moreno said on her last day on the air on CBS Denver (video embedded above):

"The only plausible reason [to leave her job] might be family, and that's exactly why we're leaving CBS4 and Colorado to move closer to my family in my hometown of Austin, Texas. 

I'm going to try to get through this I'm sorry, on my last morning. I just want to thank all of you for being my extended family, because for the last eight years, you invited me into your homes every morning while you were getting ready for work or having breakfast, and you allowed me to emcee your events for those causes and those nonprofits closest to your heart. 

So thank you so much for trusting me to share your incredible stories right here on the news. Over the past eight years together, we went through some of the lowest lows, enduring heartbreaking shootings and wildfires. But we've also experienced some great highs, like when the Broncos won the Super Bowl 50 championship and when Coloradans supported one another during this pandemic.

 You all listened to the quiet voices of children in foster care and amplified our mission. With your help, 60 children who were featured in 'Wednesday's Child' were adopted. And I am so grateful for your support. You sent well wishes at the start of my marriage when we got our Colorado dog and had our Colorado baby (Weston).

And let me tell you, your messages propped me up when we came home from the hospital with the baby at the start of quarantine and the pandemic. 

All of our family is out of state. And I truly never felt completely alone because I had all of you checking on me. 

And lastly, I just want to thank the CBS 4 team. Gosh, you guys, this crew made me better professionally as I tried everyday to meet their journalistic standards. And personally, I've developed so many friendships working here. And, you know, I'm going to miss everybody so much. And here's the thing. Social media makes it really easy to stay in touch, right. So we can all stay connected there. 

And of course, I'll be thinking of those perfect Colorado summers when we're down in the Texas heat. It's brutal, let me tell you. But I'll always carry a piece of my heart of you in Colorado in my heart, and I'll be thinking of you as we venture home, because, after all, that's what family does."

The 2019 Heartland Emmy winner for best "News Anchor" and 2017 recipient of the Colorado Broadcaster’s Association Award of Excellence, started with KCNC in March of 2013.  

Before Denver, Moreno worked as a weekend anchor and night-side reporter for FOX10 KSAZ Phoenix, Arizona. TRIVIA: Which television reporter came to Houston from KSAZ and owns an athletic fashion line?

The Austin native graduated with honors from St. Stephen's High School and double majored in communications/Spanish at Trinity University in San Antonio. 

*this post updated with Moreno's KXAN 36 Austin debut date and anchor shift

Patricia Lopez moves to KTRK abc13 mornings

Patricia Lopez moves Stretch Your Dollar and 'much more' to KTRK abc13 mornings

KTRK abc13 Stretch Your Dollar reporter Patricia Lopez is packing it up from the station's 4pm newscast and moving to the morning news she announced tonight:

Hey, friends, I'm moving to the #1 morning show in Houston. I'm really excited about my newest opportunity at Ch. 13, taking Stretch Your Dollar and much more to the mornings. I'll join Tom, Sharron, Casey and Don every morning starting tomorrow (Tues). Can't wait!! See you bright and early.

Patricia Lopez

According to her LinkedIn profile, Lopez has, "become one of the lead consumer experts on the Gulf Coast" in the last five years.

She came to KTRK in 2007 from WPIX New York where she was a reporter for almost two years.

Before that she worked as a reporter at KCNC-TV Denver and KOKI-TV Tulsa.

Outside of local television news, Lopez has also made guest host appearances on ABC's The View. That means Lopez could be tapped if things don't work out for Jenny McCarthy on the Barbara Walters led show...hey, you never know.

Lopez is a Kingwood High and University of Oklahoma graduate.

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Houston & Dallas TV anchors ice the competition

John Engel leaves KXAN Austin

John Engel, KXAN Austin political reporter, announced he is leaving the Nexstar Media Group station after a little more than a year.

"Surprise! Today was my last at KXAN," Engel tweeted.  "We’re heading to North Carolina so that my wife can pursue an amazing, new opportunity — I’m really proud of her. Thanks for letting me into this crazy world of Texas politics for a bit."

Engel announced he was joining KXAN in April 2020 from WCYB Johnson City, TN where he worked for two years.

Previously he worked in radio as a news anchor at News 104.5 WOKV-FM Jacksonville, FL and ESPN 730 Boise, ID.

He is a graduate of Boise State University.

KXAN Austin has had lots of job movements lately.  In May, weekend anchor/investigative reporter Erin Cargile left followed by evening news anchor Sydney Benter. 

CBS 4 Denver KCNC morning and noon anchor Britt Moreno debuted as the KXAN Austin evening news anchor in June.

Surprise! Today was my last at KXAN. We’re heading to North Carolina so that my wife can pursue an amazing, new opportunity — I’m really proud of her.

Thanks for letting me into this crazy world of Texas politics for a bit. Now, onto that personal injury law calling. pic.twitter.com/jyq9MYEmvU

— John Engel (@EngelsAngle) June 18, 2021

 

Why am I covering Denver on a Texas TV blog?

Denver TV news is becoming quite the topic on my blog lately!

I have noticed over the last months that Denver and Texas are swapping television journalists left and right and more and more Colorado-area folks are reading my blog.

Sure, we've seen Houston and Denver TV stations swap personnel over the years.  

We've watched Sally Mamdooh and Christine Noël join KPRC from the "Mile-High City." KHOU 11's general manager Robert Springer came here from Denver.  On the flip side, we saw KHOU 11 reporter Jacqueline Crea take off for Colorado.

At the same time we have to remember that Houston TV constantly hires and loses talent from/to all over the country at this point. 

But less than a month ago, practically on the same day, we saw:

- Britt Moreno leave CBS 4 Denver KCNC and join KXAN Austin

- Katie Orth, of ABC Big 2 News KMID/KPEJ Midland, join KWGN 2 Denver 

That was quickly followed a couple of days later by KVUE Austin reporter Luis de Leon joining 9News KUSA.

And finally this week, just because he still has a lot of fans writing in from his time at KHOU 11, I wrote about meteorologist Brooks Garner leaving FOX 31 KDVR - KWGN Denver for FOX 35 WOFL Orlando.

Britt Moreno is pregnant with baby #3

 

Britt Moreno announced on Facebook that she is pregnant with her third child which will be a baby girl.

UPDATE JULY 2024
Britt Moreno leaves KXAN Austin

"We feel blessed and so excited to welcome baby #3 in September! 

Our kids melt our hearts, and I truly cannot believe we get a third. I’m so filled with gratitude. 

I’ll see ya on the desk tonight, and now I won’t try to hide the bump as much."

The KXAN Austin weekday evening anchor gave birth to baby Bexley in January 2023 and returned to KXAN in April. Later, Moreno took a leave of absence, which she later revealed was due to postpartum issues.

Moreno, who joined KXAN in 2021, gave birth to her first child, Weston, back in March 2020 while working for CBS 4 Denver KCNC.

Britt Moreno returns to KXAN Austin

Britt Moreno returned to KXAN Austin from maternity leave with Baby Bexley last week.

UPDATE JULY 2024
Britt Moreno leaves KXAN Austin

The evening anchor's return had her co-anchors saying "Britt’s back!" 

"My coworkers are truly the best," Moreno posted on Facebook. "First day back after mat leave was a ok. I miss my kids when I’m gone, but my work friends made returning that much easier." 

Moreno announced she was pregnant with a baby girl in August 2022.  Bexley was born in January 2023.

Moreno joined KXAN in 2021, and gave birth to first child, Weston, back in March 2020 when she worked for CBS 4 Denver KCNC.

4pm anchor Jennifer Sanders filled-in for Moreno while she was on maternity leave.

RELATED
KXAN Austin returns to channel 36.1

Reporter's live TV scare, EMMY winners and more

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9th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards winners 2011
The 9th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards were held in Houston Saturday night and I am already getting requests for the winner's list. You can see who was nominated for the 9th Annual Lone Star Emmy Awards this year here.

Live from the White House, it’s KTRK
Columbia Journalism Review takes a look at KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward's trip.
- KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward to interview Obama and Regis

Oprah spotted at Lakewood Church Sunday; where else was the queen of daytime TV in Houston?
Oprah Winfrey was spotted in the 11 a.m. congregation of Lakewood Church Sunday as part of her in-town interview with pastor Joel Osteen, to air on her new program (on her new network), Oprah's Lifeclass.

Texas Sheriff's office receives weaponizable drone, alarms local news station
The Sheriff's office in Montgomery County, Texas is, and it's really freaking out the local news. KPRC Local 2 News feverishly asks if the Sheriff's new unmanned Shadowhawk helicopter is a safety asset, or a privacy violation.

Live from CW33 studios, Eye Opener gets its early morning game on
Tribune's Eye Opener moves to Dallas, cuts to anchors from original Houston-only show lineup, gets two new anchors and more.
- KIAH 39 to start morning news with Eye Opener; Mia Gradney returns

KBXX Taps Jillian 'JJ' Simmons For Midday
RADIO ONE Top 40/Rhythmic KBXX (97.9 THE BOX)/HOUSTON PD TERRI THOMAS adds JILLIAN "JJ" SIMMONS as the new midday personality. JJ replaces DEVI DEV who left in SEPTEMBER to pursue a career in television and satellite media.

KBXX The Winner In Houston
A 4 month deadlock for dominance has been broken in Houston. Radio One Top 40/Rhythmic KBXX (7.3) bested Clear Channel AC KODA (2nd place with a 6.2) for the top rank.

Journalist comes to work unprepared?
Opinion writer takes Katherine Kisiel of KTBC-TV's "Good Day Austin" to task over WWE wrestler CM Punk interview.

"TV gypsy" Katie Couric laughs, sniffles and charms on her day in the spotlight with M.D. Anderson
The old Katie Couric — the one of the playful, endearing personality of the Today Show that earned her the title America's Sweetheart — was back in full form on Tuesday. As she chatted with CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta on stage at the Hilton Americas-Houston, there was little evidence of the dour-faced Katie of the CBS Evening News desk.

Music Editor Chris Gray Getting Even Better
Houston Press Music Editor Chris Gray, who has been hospitalized since he collapsed at a Metro light rail station on his way to work, suffering an apparent heart attack, has improved enough that doctors are talking about sending him to a rehab facility.
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Billy Madison To Mornings At KISS In San Antonio
As first hinted on ALL ACCESS (NET NEWS 10/25), COX Rocker KISS/SAN ANTONIO welcomes “THE BILLY MADISON SHOW” featuring DEREK ALLGOOD, NARD and CHUBS to the morning drive slot. MADISON was most recently heard on RENDA Top 40 KHTT/TULSA as well as a run at CLEAR CHANNEL Alternative KDGE (102.1 THE EDGE)/DALLAS.
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Comcast's re-investment in NBC-owned stations is potentially a big story for NBC5's news department
Fort Worth-based NBC5 (KXAS) and the local news departments of nine other NBC owned-and-operated TV stations are finding it's good to be parented by Comcast.

Fox Names KTBC's Mark Rodman GM OF KSAZ
The GM of Fox’s KTBC Austin, Tex., is tapped to lead its Phoenix OandO, succeeding Pat Nevin.

Public TV, radio execs reassigned
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KPRC anchors, reporters celebrate Halloween
See the photos.

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On the day of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2011 inductions, we get the sad news that former Rock 101 KLOL and Z107.5 KZFX talent Maurice "Crash" Collins, 69, has died (Crash was inducted in 2010).

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Gordon McClendon established the Liberty Radio Broadcasting System network in 1948 and began broadcasting daily games of Major League Baseball in the 1940s and 50s.

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Rick Casey recently bid farewell to his job as the metro columnist for the Houston Chronicle. He wrote three columns a week for eight years. Casey stopped by the KUHF Studios to reflect on his time in Houston.
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KFOX hires familiar face, KTSM alumn Erika Castillo
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Erica Rose yearns to be Nancy Grace
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In Brownsville, Texas, someone steals and burns the KBFM-FM station van
Police outside of Brownsville are investigating the theft of the KBFM-FM (104.1) station van.

THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
- Radio One, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Results
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- CBS TV Station 3Q Revenue Falls 6%
- Washington Post 3Q TV Revenue Falls 11%
- News Corp. TV Revenue Climbs 8%
- Clear Channel’s Q3: Up 7%
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MOVING
KIAH 39 photographer Mike Sellers is leaving for a job with Lone Star Community College. His last day will be November 11.

Kim Wynne joins CBS Affiliate KGAN as a General Assignment Reporter. KIM who is a graduate of both the University of Southern California and Virginia State University previously worked at the ABC Affiliate in Waco KXXV.

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DIGITAL
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- SportsTalk 790's Charlie Pallilo joins KIAH 39's NewsFix
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- KHOU 11 interviews my wife about too much plastic surgery
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KHOU GM Susan McEldoon announces retirement

Multiple reports hit the internet today saying that KHOU 11 President & General Manager Susan A. McEldoon is retiring.

“Susan initially considered retiring at the end of 2017. However, after the cascading impact of Hurricane Harvey on KHOU’s operations, her heartfelt sense of obligation and loyalty to the employees of KHOU made her reconsider,” Tegna EVP Peter Diaz told TVNewsCheck. “Orchestrating operations across multiple sites in Houston/Dallas, she continues to work tirelessly to stabilize, restore and advance KHOU’s commitment to the community."

Diaz added that over the next few months, he will interview a successor and have that person work with McEldoon during a transition period.

All you have to do is read my dinky blog to see how busy McEldoon and the future KHOU GM will be. That includes finding a new station location thanks to Hurricane Harvey and opening satellite studios in downtown Houston reportedly this month.

McEldoon joined channel 11 back in 2004 as Director of Sales in the station's Belo days. She was named Vice President/Station Manager in 2006 with another promotion coming the following year upping her to President/General Manager.

Before KHOU, McEldoon was Director of Sales at WBNS Columbus, Ohio and WBBM Chicago according to LinkedIn. She also served as marketing manager at KCNC Denver.

Under her leadership, KHOU has won many prestigious awards including Lone Star Emmys and recently winning another Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award.

Some of her other honors:
- Broadcasting & Cable Magazine’s General Manager of the Year 2008
- Houston Women’s Chamber “Breakthrough Woman 2009”
- Houston Women’s Chamber “Hall of Fame” Inductee 2010
- Houston Woman Magazine’s “50 Most Influential Women” in 2012
- “Top 30 Influential Women of Houston” in 2015
- The Media Alliance of Houston awarded her the Star Award for TV Station Manager of the Year in 2010, 2012 and 2015.

Planting roots in the Houston-area, McEldoon has served on the board of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership and the Houston Chapter of the American Red Cross. She has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for United Way Houston.

McEldoon has a BA in Communications from the University of Missouri/Kansas City and an MBA from The Ohio State University.

RELATED
Levi Ismail joins KHOU 11

Simone De Alba takes over for Irene Cruz News 4 SA WOAI

Simone De Alba has taken over for Irene Cruz on News 4 San Antonio WOAI and will sit along side Alamo City legend Randy Beamer on the Sinclair station's 10pm newscast.

UPDATE AUGUST 2023
Simone De Alba joins WUSA9 Washington, DC

The big anchor change happened in November while I was on blogging break. De Alba's San Antonio debut happened in early December which you can watch above.

De Alba left FOX 40 KTXL Sacramento in November after four years with the Nexstar station (formerly Tribune owned).

RELATED
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"I know there's a few things that I really want to try in San Antonio, which I actually made a list, and one of them is Natural Bridge Caverns," De Alba told co-anchors Beamer and Delaine Mathieu on air for her South Texas television news introduction.

I am going to throw in my two cents since this this post is suddenly about Texas caves.  While I love Natural Bridge Caverns, I also highly suggest the Caverns of Sonora located near Sonora, Texas on I-10.  These caves sit at the halfway point between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park. Ok, back to San Antonio TV stuff.

No stranger to physical endurance, De Alba grew up in Colorado and loves to hike. Actually, saying she loves to hike is a little pedestrian for her.  During her time teaching in Nepal, De Alba was even at the Mount Everest base camp.

 Besides mountains, De Alba is a ultra marathon runner.  So for her, anchoring mornings at FOX 40 Sacramento was not enough activity.  She followed her TV news work with a daily 15 mile run.  Then she competes in 50 mile endurance runs.

Whew! And here, I am tired enough writing this post.  When I hit publish, I might go take a nap. Hopefully I won't injure myself. 

The new SA anchor's motto is “first and foremost, a public servant.” As a journalist, she has stated she does not take her reporting and anchoring responsibilities lightly. 

De Alba had been the morning anchor for KTXL since 2015. 

Before that, she was a statewide anchor for KTVQ Billings, Montana.  She even made appearances on CNN's local edition. 

KRTV Great Falls, Montana was the start of De Alba's television journalism career where she served as a morning anchor. 

The University of Colorado at Boulder and Metropolitan State University grad interned for KCNC Denver, KCRA Sacramento and KUSA Denver.  

“I’m very excited about the addition of Simone to our News 4 San Antonio team,” Sinclair San Antonio General Manager Dean Radla said on the station's website. “Simone is a real pro that will blend well with our established talent and provide another credible voice to enhance the station’s position as trusted and valued source of information for local viewers.”

When not anchoring, De Alba will be working on special projects reports for 5, 6 and 6:30 pm WOAI newscasts.

Irene Cruz leaves News 4 San Antonio WOAI

In 2018, Irene Cruz took the 10pm anchor chair vacated by Eva Ramos in 2017. 

"To my co-anchor, [Randy Beamer], who is both my best friend at work and my auxiliary dad," Cruz posted on her goodbye Facebook message. "Thank you for the laughs on a commercial break, the emergency packs of Oreos you gave me on my bad days, and the friendship orchids that always seemed to die but we loved anyway."

Still friends, Cruz and Beamer just had lunch together in mid-December. 

Cruz previously worked for KXTV Sacramento as an anchor and reporter. 

She got her professional television news start at KYMA, Yuma Arizona as an anchor/producer. 

The University of California, Irvine grad interned for KNSD San Diego and WBBM Chicago.

We will have to stay tuned to see what Cruz will do post WOAI.  If you find out, give me a holler.

In other News 4 San Antonio...well news...the bio of reporter Emily Olson has been removed from the WOAI website.  She now lists her Instagram bio as "former reporter." Olson arrived in San Antonio earlier in 2020.

Simone De Alba joins WUSA9 Washington, DC

Simone De Alba announced on Facebook that she is leaving News 4 San Antonio WOAI where she is 5, 6, 6:30 and 10pm evening anchor for WUSA9 Washington, DC.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2023
Mandy Noell joins News 4 San Antonio

"August 30th will be my last day on the air here in San Antonio," De Alba posted. "I’ve accepted a job in Washington D.C. I’ll be joining the team at WUSA as an Anchor in September!"

De Alba joined WOAI in December 2020 from FOX 40 KTXL Sacramento where she was a morning anchor.

Back then she co-anchored with Randy Beamer who retired in 2021 and was replaced by KPRC 2 Houston weekend anchor Jonathan Martinez.

Before KTXL, De Alba anchored for Q2 News KTVQ Billings, Montana and KRTV 3 Great Falls, Montana.

De Alba is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and Metropolitan State University. She interned for KCNC Denver, KCRA Sacramento and KUSA Denver.  

Britt Moreno leaves KXAN Austin

Hello from San Marcos where last night I screened my documentary "Runaway Radio" at First Tuesday.  By the way, you can watch the KLOL doc on streaming or DVD

UPDATE
Jennifer Sanders promoted to KXAN evening anchor 

This week, I will be focusing less on Houston, since many there have no power or internet signal to read my blog anyway.  When I return today, I probably won't have power yet either.

Therefore, I am scheduling content for you during the rest of the week, since I might not be able to post anything once back home. The storm even took down internet and cable TV for parts of Texas away from Houston!

The big news this week is in Austin where KXAN evening anchor Brit Moreno signed off Monday, July 8, 2024.

ALSO LEAVING THIS WEEK
Carissa Lehmkuhl leaves FOX 7 Austin
Tyler Feldman leaves KVUE Austin

Here is what Moreno posted on social media:

"Our sweet girl is joining our family in September, and now I find myself at a professional/personal juncture. 

Dreams are malleable, and as I’ve learned in the almost two decades of doing live TV, “the dream” evolves when you start a family and when that family grows. 

It was my dream to report in my hometown here in Austin and candidly, I have been agonizing over how to do that and be a parent. 

For now, I am stepping back from full time anchoring to be the mom I’ve always wanted to be to our three children. I am so excited to see my family more, but I am sad to leave the news desk."

"You know those people you just click with the first time you meet? That was my experience when I met my co-anchor Britt Moreno, and it's been nothing but a privilege delivering the news alongside her these last few years," added co-anchor Daniel Marin.

In May, Moreno announced she is pregnant with her third child, a baby girl.

She gave birth to Bexley in January 2023, returning to KXAN in April. 

Moreno took a leave of absence, which she later revealed was due to postpartum issues.

Moreno joined KXAN in 2021 from CBS 4 Denver KCNC.

Before moving to Denver, the six-time EMMY nominee and multiple winner, was a weekend anchor and night-side reporter for FOX10 KSAZ Phoenix, Arizona.

An Austin native, she graduated with honors from St. Stephen's High School and double majored in communications and Spanish at Trinity University in San Antonio.

Marissa Armas joins CBS News Texas

Marissa Armas is joining CBS 11 KTVT Dallas-Fort Worth (also known as CBS News Texas) as a reporter after a brief hiatus from the TV industry.

Here is a portion of what Armas posted on socials:

"All roads lead BACK to Texas— From my first TV market in EP to now DFW! 

After taking a self-imposed sabbatical, ya girl is back at it! 

I’ve officially joined the team at @cbsnewstexas, and I’m so excited for this opportunity!"

Most recently, Armas worked as a reporter and anchor at sister station CBS News Colorado KCNC 4 from September 2021 to July 2023. 

Before that, the bilingual journalist served as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KOAT Action 7 Albuquerque from 2018 to 2020. Her work at the border earned a Rocky Mountain Southwest Emmy nomination.

Armas honed her skills in digital journalism at NBC News Digital and NBC Latino. As a multimedia journalist, her work has been shared on NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, and other NBC platforms. While with NBC News, Armas interviewed the likes of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rosie Perez, and Jesse Jackson.

As noted in her KTVT job announcement, Armas's early career included a reporting role at KTSM 9 El Paso.

She holds a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia University, where she served as president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) chapter, and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She interned with MSNBC.

Born and raised in Denver, Armas has roots in El Salvador, Guatemala, and New Mexico.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marissa Armas (@marissaearmas)

Former KHOU GM Susan McEldoon to offer professional coaching

Susan McEldoon, Former President and General Manager of KHOU-TV, is expanding her resume by adding executive & professional coaching following her retirement from KHOU.

"Developing talent has always been my favorite part of the job and there is a growing demand to prepare the new generation for top positions,” says McEldoon.

To compliment her nearly 40 years of marketing, advertising, and broadcast management experience McEldoon has successfully completed a year-long program in Executive & Professional Coaching at the University of Texas Dallas Jindal School of Management. She will receive the ACTP certification from the University and is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Susan’s executive training will offer executive and team coaching, meeting facilitation, and 360 assessments for individuals and organizations. Her expertise extends far beyond the media industry to include consumer facing marketing, philanthropic fundraising, and crisis management skills which were displayed during Hurricane Harvey.



About Susan McEldoon
Susan has over 30 years of TV station management experience having worked for the NBC O&O (KCNC) in Denver, CO, the CBS O&O (WBBM) in Chicago, the Dispatch Broadcast Group (WBNS) in Columbus, OH and TEGNA, Inc’s KHOU, the CBS Affiliate in Houston Texas. She has been on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross Houston Chapter for over ten years and served as Board Chair from 2015-2017. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Partnership and the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Greater Houston. McEldoon holds a BA/Communications from the University of Missouri/Kansas City and received her MBA from The Ohio State University.

(Taken from a release sent to me by KHOU)

Patricia Lopez leaves abc13 KTRK

UPDATE FEBRUARY 06, 2018
Chelsey Hernandez joins KTRK abc13


After 10 years, abc13 KTRK consumer reporter Patricia Lopez quits abc13 KTRK

KTRK abc13 Stretch Your Dollar morning anchor Patricia Lopez is leaving the station and going out in style!

In all my years of blogging about the Houston media, I don't remember anyone posting a highly produced Facebook video detailing their departure.

In case you are at work or a place where you can't watch video, here is what Lopez told her fans:

"After ten years at channel 13, it's with mixed emotions, that I have my final goodbye next week, December 15, 2017.

You know 2017 was a rough year for my family and so many people in the Houston area and I had a chance to reflect on the last few months and make a decision about my future and my heart is at home with my four children. That's another full-time job and I'm excited about that new adventure.

But you can always catch me on social media still - PatriciaonTV on Instagram and Twitter and Facebook as well. So, I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.

It's been a very difficult time. But we look forward to coming back stronger and better than ever.

And I want to thank my colleagues and managers at channel 13 who have made that such an amazing job the last ten years.

I appreciate it. But I look forward to keeping in touch with you so please shoot me an email. Bye."

Before returning to Houston in 2007, the Kingwood High grad worked in New York City at WPIX CW11 Morning News.

While there, she even was a finalist in the 2003 search for a new co-host position on ABC's The View.

Before the Big Apple, Lopez worked as a reporter at KCNC-TV Denver and KOKI-TV Tulsa. Lopez's bio also said she worked in Washington, D.C and Wichita Falls.

She is a University of Oklahoma graduate.

SHOW SUPPORT: Tell Patricia goodbye!

UPDATE FEBRUARY 06, 2018
Chelsey Hernandez joins KTRK abc13

TV station using AR/VR (augmented reality/virtual reality)

CBS 2 Chicago WBBM is the latest CBS station to launch its AR/VR (augmented reality/virtual reality) technology-driven studio.

WBBM's AR/VR space covers over 1100 square feet of floor area and reaches 16 feet tall.

CBS Chicago joins sister stations CBS Philadelphia KYW, CBS Denver KCNC, CBS New York WCBS and CBS Bay Area KPIX, which have already introduced this innovative approach in their markets. 

"We are beyond excited to be the only station in Chicago delivering weather in an all-new AR/VR format," said Jennifer Lyons, president and general manager of CBS Chicago.  "This technology is a game changer, offering our viewers a deeper, more engaging way to understand the weather. Whether it’s preparing for a winter storm or simply planning their day, our audience will benefit from an interactive and visually immersive experience that only AR/VR can provide. It’s about elevating the storytelling and giving our viewers what they need – clear, concise information, using state-of-the-art technology, unlike anything they have seen when watching the news."

The station plans to use the technology in various other ways to inform its audience about news in the future.

CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth launches with content produced by CBS 11 KTVT

CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth Marks Newest Expansion of Major Market Local News Streaming Services from ViacomCBS

CBS Television Stations and CBS Interactive today announced the launch of CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth, the 10th of ViacomCBS’ 13 local direct-to-consumer streaming news services in major markets across the country. CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth features anchored programming and coverage of live breaking news events in the region produced by KTVT-TV (CBS 11).

CBS (now ViacomCBS) became the first major media company to launch a local OTT news service when CBSN New York debuted in December 2018. Since then, the company has launched CBSN Local services in Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco Bay Area, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Denver, Pittsburgh and Chicago. Following today’s launch of CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth, ViacomCBS will soon be launching CBSN Local services in the three remaining markets where the company has a local television news organization: Miami, Sacramento and Baltimore.

“We are extremely pleased with the success of our first nine CBSN Local services and look forward to going 10-for-10 with the launch of CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth,” said Peter Dunn, President, CBS Television Stations. “The demand for premium news content on streaming platforms is strong and will be a driver of our future success.”

“The launch of CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth is a landmark event in CBS 11’s history,” said Gary Schneider, President and General Manager, KTVT and independent sister station KTXA-TV. “We are excited to be able to make our award-winning local news content available to consumers – both here in North Texas and across the country – whenever and wherever they want to watch. We appreciate the support we have received from CBS Television Stations and CBS Interactive and look forward to using this new platform to grow our business.”

CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth is available through CBSN, on CBSNews.com and on the CBS News apps for mobile and connected TV devices. In addition, the service is available through CBSDFW.com and the CBS Local mobile app.

CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth and the portfolio of CBSN Local services build on the success of CBSN, the pioneering 24/7 streaming news service from CBS News and CBS Interactive that delivers live national and global news coverage and in-depth reporting from CBS News’ team of trusted journalists. Launched in November 2014, the platform continues to drive strong and sustained viewership growth, delivering its best month of all time with more than 100 million streams in March 2020.

CBSN Local services are ad-supported. They complement CBS’ other streaming services, CBSN, CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, and will ultimately be included as live channels in CBS All Access in their respective markets.

About CBS Television Stations

CBS Television Stations consists of 28 owned-and-operated stations, including 15 that are part of the CBS Television Network, eight affiliates of The CW Network, three independent stations and two MyNetworkTV affiliates. Among its stations are WCBS-TV and WLNY-TV (New York), KCBS-TV and KCAL-TV (Los Angeles), WBBM-TV (Chicago), KYW-TV and WPSG-TV (Philadelphia), KTVT-TV and KTXA-TV (Dallas-Ft. Worth), KPIX-TV and KBCW-TV (San Francisco), WUPA-TV (Atlanta), WBZ-TV and WSBK-TV (Boston), KSTW-TV (Seattle), WTOG-TV (Tampa-St. Petersburg), WWJ-TV and WKBD-TV (Detroit), WCCO-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul), WFOR-TV and WBFS-TV (Miami), KCNC-TV (Denver), KOVR-TV and KMAX-TV (Sacramento), KDKA-TV and WPCW-TV (Pittsburgh) and WJZ-TV (Baltimore), as well as WCCO-TV's satellite station KCCW-TV (Walker, Minn.).

About CBS Interactive

CBS Interactive, a division of ViacomCBS, is the world’s largest publisher of premium digital content and a perennial top 10 internet company. CBS Interactive’s brands span popular categories like technology, entertainment, sports, news and gaming. Properties include the websites, apps and streaming services of the CBS Television Network such as the CBS All Access subscription service, the 24/7 digital news network CBSN, and CBS Sports’ digital brands as well as digital-first properties in key content verticals, including CNET, TVGuide.com, GameSpot, Last.fm, Metacritic and Chowhound. Follow CBS Interactive on Twitter at twitter.com/cbsi and on Facebook.

(This post was taken from a CBS release)

Katie Orth joins KWGN 2 Denver

Katie Orth, evening anchor of ABC Big 2 News KMID/KPEJ Midland, TX, is joining the morning news at KWGN 2 Denver (both Nexstar Media Group stations).

"My team at Big 2 has become family," Orth tweeted in her Permian Basin goodbye message.  "I will miss them SO much!  They've heard me say this a gazillion times (I love y'all!)  But I am SO excited and ready to grow.  It's time.  I love you & will  miss you, West Texas.  I am forever thankful for how you embraced me.  You treated me better than I deserve."

If you missed it, Friday I blogged how Texan Britt Moreno was leaving Denver's CBS 4 KCNC morning newscast for KXAN Austin.

While with KMID, Orth was selected to have a one-on-one interview with then President Trump. 

Orth joined KMID in May 2017 from KIDY Fox News First San Angelo where she worked as a sports and news anchor.

While attending Texas A&M University, where she graduated with a Communications and Journalism degree, Orth broke into broadcast news as a sports multimedia journalist for KAGS College Station.  She also worked at KAMU-TV College Station as an anchor and promotions assistant.

Orth is an Austin native, but was raised in Sugar Land (Houston suburb for those not in Texas) where she graduated from Fort Bend Christian Academy. 

“Houston has the best food,” she told the school's website. “I'm not ashamed to admit that I've asked my mom to bring queso with her on a west Texas visit.”

In addition to television news, Orth also runs a personal YouTube channel.

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Karsen Buschjost joins Big 2 News KMID Midland/Odessa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(This post taken from a CBS press release)