KTRK abc13's Rebecca Spera gets hitched

New KTRK abc13 traffic anchor Rebecca Spera has Galveston wedding

UPDATE AUGUST 18, 2015
Rebecca Spera pregnant with baby

Rebecca Spera

Let there be wedding bells!

KTRK abc13's Rebecca Spera appeared to have a dream wedding in Galveston last weekend.

The newly named channel 13 afternoon traffic anchor and former Live Well Network Mirror-Mirror host married former LSU football player Eric Valentino at the Hotel Galvez.

Spera, a New Jersey native, and Valentino, a Houston native, have settled in Clear Lake where they hit the water on the weekends having fun boating and fishing.

I know some guys who will be upset by Spera's new wedding ring, but her days of being one of CultureMap's Houston’s Most Eligible Bachelorettes are over.

Congrats!

Post by Pink Posh Photographers.

Post by Mirror/Mirror.

UPDATE AUGUST 18, 2015
Rebecca Spera pregnant with baby

Rebecca Spera returns from maternity leave

KTRK abc13 afternoon traffic anchor Rebecca Spera returns from maternity leave with videos exploring post pregnancy life

Rebecca Spera

At the end of December, afternoon KTRK abc13 traffic anchor Rebecca Spera announced the arrival of little Gray James.

Now that March is here, Spera has returned to work and is creating some nice videos about her post birth thoughts and dealing with baby weight gain.

Hi Friends! Today was my first day back at work. Here's what I learned. 󾌴 #mondaymotivation
Posted by Rebecca Spera on Monday, March 21, 2016

Hey Everyone! Today was my first day back on the air, and while I've made a lot of progress getting back in shape, I only fit in 1/3 of my work dresses. So to make me feel more confident, I have eight tricks to look thinner. Which will you try?!
Posted by Rebecca Spera on Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Yay! Rebecca is back from maternity leave! ABC13-Ilona CarsonABC13-Erik Barajas
Posted by Casey Curry on Tuesday, March 22, 2016

(Thanks Robin)

Rebecca Spera becomes abc13 KTRK afternoon traffic anchor

Rebecca Spera stays with KTRK abc13 and becomes afternoon traffic anchor

Rebecca Spera

KTRK abc13 has named Rebecca Spera its new afternoon traffic anchor.

The Live Well Network was supposed to sign-off in January, but still is plugging along with re-runs. With the network's current state of limbo, TV folks wondered what the former Houston-based Mirror/Mirror host Spera would do next.

As of late, Spera has been working in the KTRK news department as a special projects reporter. However, after the retirement of Don Nelson, we get this new development.

Someone wrote in my comments section that Spera's bio was changed in late February (last week) to say that in March, she became the abc13 traffic anchor.

KTRK bios must be like a look into the future. And in all fairness, Spera has worked for a show titled Mirror/Mirror, so with a little Disney magic (the owner of KTRK and Live Well) I can ask, "Mirror/Mirror on the wall, who is the most afternoon traffic anchor of them all?"

You might remember that Spera earned her stripes in traffic many moons ago filling in for the before mentioned Nelson while he was out for shoulder surgery.

I wouldn't expect Spera to start on afternoons anytime soon, because I hear she has her own upcoming wedding and honeymoon to attend first!

As far as Nelson's actual replacement, everyone has guessed that Katherine Whaley is that person.

By the way, I'm still waiting for an answer from that mirror. Someone bring me pixie dust, stat!

Rebecca Spera leaves KTRK abc13

Afternoon traffic anchor and reporter Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract

UPDATE MAY 8, 2018
Rebecca Spera announces she is the national spokesperson for blendSMART - a maker of makeup tools. She also told mikemcguff.com there will be more announcements coming.



ORIGINAL POST
-------------------------------

Rebecca Spera has decided not to renew her contract with abc13 KTRK. See the other Houston TV reporter I wrote about leaving earlier today.

The afternoon traffic anchor and reporter has been on maternity leave and was scheduled to return to work this week. BTW, she named her new bundle of joy Dean.

It just so happened that Spera's channel 13 contract ran out while she was on leave. She was scheduled to return this week, but the mother of a two year old and two month old, realized her priorities lay elsewhere at this point in her life.

"When you work in TV news, it's a lot of hours, it's full dedication, and you have to be all in, and you have to love every second of it," Spera said. "And I had to take a second and sit back and look at my life and decide if I wanted that life for myself anymore. Did I want to work fixed hours that were long. Did I want to miss trick-or-treating? Did I want to miss dinner with my kids every night? And I didn't want to have to sign another long term contract where I didn't know what my life was going to be like in a couple of years."

It sounds like she might be working with channel 13 in a part-time manner in the future. Also, reading between the lines here, it also sounds like she might be working as a marketer/influencer.

If anyone in Houston TV is capable of making that transition, it's Spera.

Before becoming the station's traffic anchor, she was the host of Mirror/Mirror, a show focusing on beauty and fashion, on the Disney ABC Television Group station's shuttered Live Well Network. She seems to have built up quite a fan-base from that experience and forged relationships around town with businesses she covered.

Before Mirror/Mirror, Spera worked as a producer and contributor on KHOU 11's Great Day Houston with Deborah Duncan.

The New Jersey native earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communications at La Salle University in Philadelphia.

Here is the goodbye message Spera posted on Facebook.

After a lot of thinking, soul-searching, and praying, I made the decision to not renew my TV contract with ABC13 and spend more time with my growing family. I'm so grateful for the nine + years I spent at the station and am incredibly thankful for all of my managers, coworkers, guests, and especially YOU the viewers. Telling your stories and sharing life and beauty tips with you for nearly a decade has been a privelege and an honor, and I truly couldn't be more grateful to you.

I do love working, but I wanted a career where I could make my own hours and be home more with my boys. What's next? I'll be announcing my plans this week at my new Facebook page, Rebecca Spera.

Thank you again for nearly a decade of wonderful memories!

Say goodbye and congratulations to Spera here.

RELATED
- Scott Noll exits KHOU
- Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13
- Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13

KTRK 13 taps Rebecca Spera for traffic duty

UPDATE MARCH 02, 2015
Rebecca Spera becomes abc13 KTRK afternoon traffic anchor

UPDATE FEBRUARY 02, 2015
Don Nelson announces KTRK abc13 departure

UPDATE 2/18/2013
KTRK 13's Don Nelson back on air after surgery

Rebecca Spera filling in on KTRK abc13 traffic duty has people talking

I got some questions about Rebecca Spera doing traffic on KTRK 13's morning news Tuesday. People wanted to know if she is taking over for Don Nelson.

From what I understand Spera is just filling in while Nelson is away. Many times, Vikki Taylor does fill-in for Nelson. (UPDATE JANUARY 31, 2015 - Houston traffic's Vikki Taylor loses cancer battle)

For those who don't know, Spera is busy on KTRK's .2 channel Live Well HD (available on .2 stations around the US). She hosts Mirror/Mirror which covers fashion and beauty secrets. The show also airs on KTRK.

Readers of this blog will remember that Spera was a top Twitterer for KTRK. She was also a hot Houston media single in CultureMap's Most Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes party.

Before landing at KTRK, Spera was a producer and reporter for KHOU 11's Great Day Houston.

UPDATE MARCH 02, 2015
Rebecca Spera becomes abc13 KTRK afternoon traffic anchor

UPDATE FEBRUARY 02, 2015
Don Nelson announces KTRK abc13 departure

UPDATE 2/18/2013
KTRK 13's Don Nelson back on air after surgery

RELATED
- VIDEO: Don Nelson on Good Morning Houston
- PHOTO: Tom Koch and Don Nelson serving drinks

Rebecca Spera & hubby clearing lanes for baby

KTRK abc13 traffic anchor Rebecca Spera adding to new family

Rebecca Spera

After getting hitched earlier this year, Rebecca Spera is pregnant.

The 4pm KTRK abc13 traffic anchor broke the news today on Facebook:

BREAKING NEWS! A future football player joins our team in late 2015! I'll be coming to you all with lots of questions and much-needed advice over the next four months!!!

The former Live Well Network Mirror-Mirror host married former LSU football player Eric Valentino last March. That explains the future football player joining the team statement.

BREAKING NEWS! A future football player joins our team in late 2015! I'll be coming to you all with lots of questions...
Posted by Rebecca-ABC13 on Tuesday, August 18, 2015

(Thanks Robin)

TV anchors deliver and announce baby

KTRK abc13's Rebecca Spera delivers, while KPRC 2's Lauren Freeman announces baby #4!

Rebecca Spera

At the beginning of December, KPRC 2's Amy Davis returned from maternity leave, while KHOU 11's Grace White took it, and later on there was more Houston TV baby activity.

First up, KTRK abc13 afternoon traffic anchor Rebecca Spera announced the birth of her son!

"Introducing Gray James," Spera wrote. "He's named after the very special men in our families that we love so much."

Look for his name to be on the back of an LSU jersey one day! Spera and husband Eric Valentino were married in Galveston earlier in 2015.

Next up is KPRC 2 anchor Lauren Freeman who I assumed was pregnant from watching what was in my most read posts section.

Lauren Freeman

One my old posts about Freeman expecting a child jumped to the top of the charts as curious viewers were hitting Google to find out more on her apparent bump.

If you are self conscious do yourself a favor and never become a female television news anchor. 

Those TV news viewers seem to notice everything!

"Many of you have asked...we are expecting baby boy #4 in April," Freeman wrote. "We are thrilled!"

UPDATE
I just post this and find out KTRK abc13 morning anchor Samica Knight is pregnant too! Oh and get this, I also heard another anchor is pregnant rumor...stay tuned.

Well, I've been meaning to tell you something. Lol!Facebook Family ... My husband and I are expecting! We're so excited!

Posted by ABC13-Samica Knight on Monday, January 4, 2016

Hello, Friends! Remember that "looking good during labor" post the other day? Well, there is no such thing! I had...
Posted by Rebecca-ABC13 on Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Many of you have asked...we are expecting baby boy #4 in April. We are thrilled!
Posted by KPRC2 Lauren Freeman on Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Rebecca Spera announces baby #2

UPDATE FEBRUARY 20, 2018
Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

KTRK abc13 traffic anchor Rebecca Spera has announced baby number two.

"We feel so blessed and are grateful to have a sibling for Gray," she wrote on Facebook. "We're looking for boy names!"

Gray was born in January of 2016.

In the post, Spera, Gray and husband Eric Valentino are fishing.

The family are next to a small chalkboard that reads, "Fishin' Buddy due Feb 2018."

UPDATE FEBRUARY 20, 2018
Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

'Live Well Network' plug pulled by Disney-ABC Television Group

Disney-ABC Television Group announces shut down of .2 Live Well Network

UPDATE January 16, 2015
ABC’s Live Well Network isn’t dead yet

Michael Malone of Broadcasting and Cable reports the Disney-ABC Television Group .2 sub-channel Live Well Network will be closing down at the beginning of 2015 so ABC stations like KTRK in Houston can focus on local programming. In Houston, the network airs on 13.2/13.3 and Comcast cable.

ABC will discontinue its homegrown digi-net Live Well Network in mid-January. Focused on food, fashion and travel, Live Well was viewed as an example of what broadcasters could pull off in the multicast space, with original programming and partner stations both within the ABC owned group and outside of it. But the numbers were not working for ABC.

“Despite Live Well's tremendous accomplishments in distribution and original programming, we made a strategic decision that our priority must be local content, and we want to maximize our investment in our core local news brands in the digital space,” said Rebecca Campbell (pictured), president of ABC Owned Television Stations, and Peggy Allen, Live Well VP of programming and operations, in a letter to Live Well partners.

Rebecca Spera

The network started in 2009 as Live Well HD.

KTRK produces one of the original shows left on air called Mirror Mirror hosted by former KHOU 11 Great Day Houston contributor Rebecca Spera. In 2011, Katishia Cosley joined the network as NewsFix took over CW39 KIAH where she had been weekend anchor to host Deals.

Katishia Cosley

We will have to see what happens to the staff in Houston that produces these shows. Will KTRK just move them to new duties or new departments? Spera has already filled in for Don Nelson on morning traffic so that could be a future gig for her. Cosley originally started in Houston at KTRK, before KIAH, as a temporary reporter.

ABC is not saying what will replace the network, but I'm going to take a guess and say the new ABC News/Univision produced Fusion network.

Stay tuned.

Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

Last September, abc13 KTRK afternoon traffic anchor Rebecca Spera announced a baby brother for her son Gray.

Well, today we get word that the unnamed child is here!

"Welcome to the world, Baby Boy #2," Spera posted on Facebook. "We love you, even though nine months wasn't enough time to come up with a name for you (we're working on it!)!"

Send her some name ideas.

In the comments section of the Facebook post, complete with lovely family photos with the little one, Spera responded to a commenter who said her son's were named Dean, Garrett, Jackson and Cash.

"One of your names is our number one choice," Spera replied.  "We are practicing a few different names on him."

Ahh...so we can narrow it down from there.

Stay tuned.

First born Gray came into the world in January of 2016.

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

Texas TV and radio job moves February 2018

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

WFAA morning anchor Alexa Conomos signed off in earlier January and has started a real estate career.

HOUSTON

KSBJ president/GM Tim McDermott steps down from station after 27 years.

From Rock DJ To NPR News: Ed Mayberry Reflects On A Career In Radio.

93Q KKBQ morning executive producer/on-air talent Al Farb is heading to Dallas' KSCS to work afternoons and as assistant program director.

Atom Smasher, former Houston KRBE radio host, gets new show in Clear Lake

Talk Host Chris X Joins ‘Conservative Cartel’ Show. Signing on with Pinnacle Broadcast Holdings, Inc to co-host “The Conservative Cartel” program with Matt Locke is Chris X, former host of ChrisXradio.

- 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

SAN ANTONIO

KENS-TV traffic reporter Stacia Willson, who previously anchored the noon news, is working toward becoming a certified meteorologist.

Casey Keirnan joins the CBS Sports Digital team as an Anchor/Host in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from sports reporter at KABB-TV in San Antonio, Texas.
- 3kingsentertainment

AROUND TEXAS

Will Jensen promoted to main anchor at KTXS Abilene.

Mike Iliopoulos moves back to Weslaco, TX and re-joins KRGV as an anchor. He moves from KMGH in Denver.

KSWO meteorologist Austin Bowling announced he’s leaving the station and the business.

Longtime KVIA (El Paso) Anchor Estela Casas will be missing from the air for weeks.

REMEMBERING

Former KTRK journalist Roy Hobbs dies.

Internet broadcaster Harold Levine passes away.

Remembering KTRE News Director Kenny Boles.

Ray Moran, a pioneer broadcaster in Texas and New Mexico, and founder of Lubbock's Ramar Communications, passed away February 11, at age 82.

Jerry Lentz, an original DJ on Dallas' alt-rock station The Edge, has died of swine flu.

Former Houston TV reporter passes away plus more

MORE VIDEO
- From the late 1970s on, your favorite Saturday morning cartoon opens
- The F-Bombs were flying on CSN
- Sports Reporter Keeps Rolling As She’s Tackled On Sideline of H.S. Football Game
- Open-Mic Moment on News 12 The Bronx Sparks Outrage
- Snoop Dogg Interviews The “F-bomb It, I Quit” TV reporter
- Anchor falls over doing football drills on live TV
- GregO is Calling All Turkeys
- TV reporter is more scared of story DEADlines than haunted house

REMEMBERING
Former Eyewitness News reporter Thom Dickerson passes away
Former KTRK abc13 news reporter Thom Dickerson has died.

Lisa Villegas is CBS11's new weekend morn meteorologist
CBS11 has hired Lisa Villegas as its new weekend morning meteorologist.

DallasNews Mobilizes Ebola Coverage
The U.S.’s first Ebola patient in Dallas may have slipped through early screening, but The Dallas Morning News isn't allowing any holes in its digital coverage of the fast-moving story.

Celebrating the life of KDFW sports anchor Max Morgan
Friends and colleagues praised Max Morgan at a memorial service.

KLIF Rebrands As Top 40 'Hot 93.3'
CUMULUS Top 40 KLIF (i93)/DALLAS has re-branded as "HOT 93.3.

This is what the Top 40 KVIL sounded like for 34 minutes during the summer of 1967
Here is 34 minutes of KVIL recorded on July 27, 1967 — way back when the station flirted with the top-of-the-pops format essentially created by crosstown rival KLIF.

WBAP's Jim Rayn joins ABC Radio
Jim Ryan is leaving Cumulus' WBAP in Dallas to join the ABC Radio news network.

Gannett to Focus on Gainful Broadcasting & Digital Business
Gannett Co., Inc. has decided to split its business into two separate entities, one completely focusing on Broadcasting and Digital businesses and the other concentrating on Publishing.

#6 Houston-Galveston TX
September 2014 Portable People Meter (Updated: 09-29-14)

Photos: KHOU 11 News Anchor Lisa Hernandez's wedding
KHOU 11 News Anchor Lisa Hernandez is back from her honeymoon after a lovely September wedding at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Lisa was a beautiful bride when she married Joel Blank, Director of Broadcasting for the Houston Rockets.

The hottest bachelors and bachelorettes of all time
Even though the KTRK abc13's Rebecca Spera is officially off the market and planning a trip down the aisle, she stole the hearts of men all over town when her profile hit CultureMap.

Houston TV news stars dress up in crazy bad pants for a good cause
KTRK's Casey Curry and FOX 26's Melissa Wilson judge bad pants competition.

The Chron Takes a Coffee Break
The Houston Chronicle newsroom has run out of coffee.

New school bears name of iconic surgeon
Former KTRK medical correspondent Dr. James "Red" Duke gets an elementary school named after him.

CSN Houston headache could be reaching its end
Comcast SportsNet Houston could become Root Sports Houston, meaning Rockets and Astros games could be back in nearly every Houston household.
- McLane: End of broadcast network litigation will spell hope for Astros

Barry Warner Joins Yahoo! Sports Radio
Longtime HOUSTON sports radio host and commentator BARRY WARNER has joined YAHOO! SPORTS RADIO as a contributor and will also host a "BARRY WARNER CLASSIC MINUTE."

The Chron's Evan Drellich Does a Great Job With a Tough Beat
John Royal shares his love of Houston Chronicle Astros beat writer Evan Drellich.

Fox 26's Tom Zizka returns to marathons
Fox 26 KRIV'sTom Zizka is a cancer survivor and now back to doing triathlons. Recently he completed the Katy Triathlon at Firethorne, a 1400 acre master planned community selling new homes in Katy, TX. (Thanks to PR Fairy @farbulous)
- Fox 26 KRIV anchor Tom Zizka talks skin cancer scare

Gannett Taps Byron Wilkinson As KTHV GSM
Starting Oct. 15, he moves to the Little Rock CBS affiliate from KHOU Houston where he has been local sales manager.

KPRC’s Meteorologist Anthony Yanez Writes a Children’s Book
Anthony Yanez, a meteorologist at Houston NBC affiliate KPRC, has written a children’s book about the weather: A Wild Ride on the Water Cycle: A Jake & Alice Adventure.

S.A. TV couple suffers tragic loss
With a heavy heart, “San Antonio Living” co-host Claudia Garofalo revealed she and her TV anchor husband Michael Garofalo are no longer expecting a child.

S.A. TV anchor ‘blissful’ after tying the knot
A member of San Antonio TV news royalty, KENS' Deborah Knapp, is off to a week-long honeymoon with her new prince, Houston attorney Celso Gonzalez-Falla, after an intimate wedding Saturday at Mission San Juan.

San Antonio: KZEP Is 'Hot' As RhythmicAC
Cox Media Group has gained some significant traction in the classic rock radio business in San Antonio

New KLRN chief worked at KENS-TV
San Antonio public TV station KLRN has named a new president and chief executive officer who has a rich history with local commercial television.

New news director set to join KEYE
Rob Cartwright has been hired to serve as KEYE’s news director from WSYR.

KFOX-KDBC marriage will change El Paso TV market
It's almost show time for the new marriage of two El Paso TV stations — Channel 14- KFOX and Channel 4-KDBC.

El Paso Fox prepares to debut upgrade
A year in the making, KFOX-TV is preparing to debut a new set from Devlin Design Group.

El Paso news photographer helps rescue woman
KTSM Photographer Mike Wilburn heard frantic screams for help as he arrived at a washed-out roadway in El Paso.

Mike Landess back at work — in Texas TV
Apparently 50 years wasn’t enough for Mike Landess, the recently retired Denver TV anchor. Landess on Monday was back at work, not locally but at Tyler, Texas, CBS affiliate KYTX.
- Former Tylerite comes home to anchor CBS19 news

KWES Midland Finds Money In City’s Trash
Midland, Texas, is experiencing a growth spurt, according to Cristine Couldridge, general sales manager of KWES, the NBC affiliate there owned by the Drewry Communications Group.

Ruiz named assistant news director at KVII
Travis Ruiz is leaving KXRM Fox 21 in Colorado Springs to take a job as Assistant News Director at KVII.

12th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards
The 12th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards on October 25, 2014.
The chapter has worked out special rates for hotel guests at the The Magnolia, The Lancaster and The Sam Houston. They say make your reservations before October 10, 2014 - Limited Rooms Available.
- http://lonestaremmy.org/events/2014-lone-star-emmy-awards/hotel-and-transportation-2014/
- http://lonestaremmy.org/events/?utm_source=2014+Ticket+Sales

MOVING

1080 KRLD Dallas reporter Joe Gomez is now a national correspondent for iHeartMedia. He previously worked at 740 KTRH.

Houston Chronicle Harris County government reporter KIAH Collier is leaving the Bayou City to cover state politics for the Austin American-Statesman.

Just found out Jose Luis Jiménez was hired as the KUHF managing news editor a couple of months ago. He comes 89.3 KPCC Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) where he was news editor.

Former Comcast Sportsnet Houston staffer Charlie Butera joins KTRK abc13 as Digital Media Coordinator.

- Houston TV & radio job moves
- DFW job moves
- San Antonio TV job moves
- Austin TV job moves

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Kaitlin McCulley joins KTRK 13
- Melissa Hawkes joins KPRC 2
- Steve Fixx rocks the energy world
- KHOU 11 rebroadcasts CBS Evening News at 6pm
- Haley Hernandez is new KPRC health MMJ
- KIAH & KDAF to lay off master control staffs
- Houston learns about itself from the Marketplace team
- November TV sweeps story ideas 2014
- KHOU 11 picks Tiffany Craig as new consumer reporter
- KPRC 2 hires Mike Friedrich as assistant news director
- Katherine Whaley joins KTRK abc13

Hot Houston media singles ready to mingle

Friday is allegedly the end of the world according to the media hyped Maya calendar prophecy. It's also when CultureMap's Most Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes party is. Connection?

Singles ready to mingle in time for the apocalypse?

Don't worry, Houston media is representing. Some hot Houston TV, radio, print and PR singles are looking for love and cupid might strike faster than a huge ratings spike during sweeps.

Houston TV, radio and print most eligible singles

Taylor Byrne Dodge - My Table Magazine
Al Farb - 93Q KKBQ
Lauren Finklestein - Mix 96.5 KHMX
Lily Jang - KHOU 11
Katie McCall - KTRK 13
Charles Miller - Great Day Houston/KHOU 11
Rebecca Spera - Mirror Mirror/Live Well/KTRK 13

Houston PR most eligible singles

Deborah Elias - event planner
Betsy Ellison - public relations
Travis Harper - PR Newswire
Meg McGuire - PR, Charming Charlie
Kathryn McNiel - political consultant
Kim Padgett - public relations
Todd Ramos - fashion producer
Laura Sussman - public relations
Ashley Wyatt - public relations

There are way more Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes who are not media types. For full details of who's hot and where to party with them, click here.

Don Nelson's surprise birthday party [PHOTOS]

Don Nelson, one of Houston television's most popular stars, was totally stunned at his own birthday party

A grey and windy Saturday couldn't dampen the birthday party of former KTRK abc13 personality Don Nelson. Houston TV stars and other friends in attendance were waiting at the Palisade Palms in Galveston to surprise Nelson who just thought he was on a fishing trip.

It was a who's who of TV anchors including Dave Ward, Tom Koch, Samica Knight, Casey Curry, Sharron Melton, Melanie Lawson, Bob Allen, Frank Billingsley, Doug Miller, Rebecca Spera and a whole lot more.

The party was thrown by a group including Margaret O'Brien-Molina and Bob Martin aka "The Accountant to the Stars."

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS [MOBILE FRIENDLY]

RELATED
Don Nelson catches up with former KTRK abc13 anchors [PHOTOS]

Mayra Moreno is new abc13 KTRK weekend morning anchor

UPDATE AUGUST 26, 2018
Mayra Moreno to anchor new 3pm newscast on abc13 KTRK

Mayra Moreno replaces longtime anchor Elissa Rivas on KTRK abc13 weekend mornings

Mayra Moreno

Waterlogged KTRK abc13 viewers tuned in Halloween morning to find a TV trick or treat - a surprise new anchor.

That's right, new face Mayra Moreno, who I first blogged about last August, has come back home from KENS 5 San Antonio and made her official channel 13 weekend morning anchor chair debut.

Previously Moreno was an MMJ at KIAH 39 before NewsFix.

Apparently the bad street flooding played a trick on co-anchor Chauncy Glover and stalled his car, so Moreno started the Saturday morning broadcast by herself.

Lookie lookie! I made it! Also would like to welcome my new co-anchor @ABC13Mayra sorry you had to debut without me! pic.twitter.com/JAm3YlE2G5

— Chauncy Glover (@ChauncyONTV) October 31, 2015

Elissa Rivas

It was rumored that KTRK was looking for a new weekend morning anchor and Moreno would be that person when hired.

So now we know the truth.

That means longtime weekend morning anchor Elissa Rivas will not wake up viewers anymore on the weekend as she has been doing since 2003 (if I remember that start date correctly).

Apparently Rivas will be a reporter from now on as I have not heard if she will move on to anchor another show.

UPDATE
Since I posted this, I was reminded that Elissa Rivas has been filling for the expectant Rebecca Spera on afternoon traffic.

Texas TV & radio job moves September 2017

The monthly Texas media job moves post is back!!!!!

DALLAS AND FORT WORTH

WFAA president and general manager Mike Devlin is leaving the station at the end of the year.

An exclusive interview with former CBS11 traffic anchor Tammy Dombeck and her EEOC attorneys, who are taking the station to court on charges of age discrimination.

Reporter/anchor Marcus Moore leaving WFAA8 after a nearly six-year stint.
- Marcus Moore is joining ABC News as Dallas-based correspondent

Former KTVT meteorologist, Lisa Villegas, is taking a job at KOLD Tucson, Arizona.

MaryAnn Martinez returns to her home state of Texas as a general assignment reporter for KTVT in Dallas. She previously was a freelance reporter for KTTV in Los Angeles.
- Napoli Management Group.

Blake Hanson joins KDFW in Dallas as a reporter. Most recently, he was an anchor and reporter at WSOC in Charlotte.
- Napoli Management Group.

Brian Scott moves to WOFL in Orlando as Reporter from Bureau MMJ at KXAS in Dallas.
- The NWT Group

HOUSTON

abc13 KTRK meteorologist Casey Curry is no longer with the station.
- Is Casey Curry co-hosting KPRC 2's Houston Life permanently?
- Casey Curry does weather on FOX 26 KRIV.
- Where is Casey Curry going to work?

Ubaldo Martinez has been promoted to lead sports anchor at Telemundo Houston KTMD.

Reporter Kaitlin McCulley leaves KTRK abc13 for WHDH 7News Boston.

Tom Koch and Melanie Lawson have been working at KTRK abc13 since 1982!

Radio One Houston announced Pamela B. McKay as its new Vice President, General Manager.

Travis Herzog named Broadcaster of the Year by The National Weather Association.

Ivory Hecker to join Fox 26 KRIV as a reporter from KARE-TV Minneapolis.

After being off air since July, meteorologist Lisa Vaughn made her return to FOX 26 KRIV.

Over at KPRC 2, chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley is celebrating 35 years on the green screen.

Here is a list of the former Houston journalists who were called back from the reserves to help out during Hurricane Harvey coverage.

KTRK abc13 traffic anchor Rebecca Spera has announced baby number two.

Sussy Ruiz has left her position as Assistant News Director at Telemundo KTMD.

HOUSTON RADIO STATIONS

New Houston radio station 104.5 KISS FM to feature Urban Adult Contemporary hits.

Gow Media will lease 1560 AM to another party, and move the lineup of 1560 AM to SportsMap 94.1 FM.

104 KRBE named CHR Station of the Year 2017 by National Association of Broadcasters.

SAN ANTONIO

Where are they now? San Antonio’s ex-TV anchors, hosts share updates.

Patty Santos moves to KSAT in San Antonio from Oklahoma City as a reporter, she moves from KOCO in Oklahoma City.
- The NWT Group

Matthew Seedorff makes a 166 market jump to MMJ at WOAI/KABB in San Antonio, TX from anchor/MMJ at KTWO in Casper, WY.
- The NWT Group

AUSTIN

Anchor Shannon Wolfson leaving KXAN.

Hema Mullur renews her agreement with KEYE in Austin as primary anchor.
- Napoli Management Group.

Camila Bernal heads to KRON in San Francisco as an MMJ from CBS Austin/Telemundo-Austin, TX as an MMJ.
- The NWT Group

Nicole Cross is moving to Austin to KVUE as an anchor/reporter from KTBS in Shreveport where she was an anchor/reporter.
- The NWT Group

AROUND TEXAS

After nearly 18 years at KTXS (Abilene) Anchor George Levesque is leaving the station.

JENNIFER KIELMAN moves to ABC Affiliate KLTV in Tyler where she will be a Monday-Friday Primary News Anchor. Jennifer comes from the CBS Affiliate in Springfield. Jennifer who is a native of Texas, has won numerous awards for her work, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
- Mort Meisner Associates

GREG CHANDLER leaves Duluth and joins KRIS in Corpus Christi as Lead Nightside Reporter.
- Steve Swienckowski at DCA Talent

Alan Campbell jumps 70 markets and joins WXYZ as weekend evening anchor. Previously, he was morning anchor at KRGV in Harlingen.
- Napoli Management Group.

Steve Soliz joins KOB in Albuquerque as primary anchor. Previously, he was weekend anchor and reporter in Harlingen, TX.
- Napoli Management Group.

Michelle Vargas is promoted to morning anchor at KGBT in Harlingen, TX. Michelle began as an MMJ and was promoted to weekend anchor in July of this year.
- Napoli Management Group.

Anayeli Ruiz makes a huge market jump as she joins WMAQ and Telemundo in Chicago as a reporter. She’s been an MMJ/reporter for KRIS in Corpus Christi for the last three years.
- Napoli Management Group.

Matt Yurus moves to Dallas to be the first digital news video anchor for the CBS Television Stations division. Previously, he produced and reported at WUSA in Washington DC.
- Napoli Management Group.

Mary Coleman starts her news management career as Managing Editor at KION in Monterey. Previously, Mary was a reporter in Amarillo, Texas.
- Napoli Management Group.

Taylor Hemness joins KSHB as morning anchor in Kansas City from primary anchor KLTV in Tyler, TX.
- The NWT Group

Alexandria Housden starts at KOCO in Oklahoma City as anchor/reporter from KTEN in Denison, Texas.
- The NWT Group

REMEMBERING

Remembering Former Houston Press Editor Jim Simmon.

Longtime KENS general manager Wayne Kearl, died days before his 99th birthday.

Long-time Austin radio sports personality Sean Adams dies.