VIDEO: WSPA TV reporter attacked

Reporter Charmayne Brown of WSPA was attacked by a group of people while covering a story in Union, South Carolina.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO


One of the women caught on tape apologizes.

Heather Sullivan leaves FOX 26 Houston

Heather Sullivan announced her departure from FOX 26 KRIV Houston on Friday morning, mikemcguff.com has learned.

UPDATE
Heather Sullivan joins First Alert 4 KMOV St. Louis

UPDATE:  In her goodbye video, Sullivan says she is leaving for another TV station job (WATCH BELOW):

"It was a very hard decision to make. And I want to say, um, I love all of you guys. I mean, I take all of you with me in my heart the friendships I've made here, and also just all of the amazing opportunities that I've had to be able to take Sullivan's smart sense to Fox stations across the country. 

I've been able to create new shows...but I received a wonderful opportunity for a new anchor and consumer reporter position that will be announced soon in another market. 

And so, um, I'm choosing to take on that new adventure, but I take all of the viewers in my heart with me as well, because Houston has been an amazing place to be, and I really cherish my time here and in all of you especially."

Sullivan joined FOX 26 Houston in February 2020 as the station’s consumer reporter, appearing on Houston’s Morning Show and across FOX 26 newscasts. Her Smart Sense reports focus on helping Houston-area families save money and avoid scams, rip-offs, and consumer fraud.

Sullivan arrived at FOX 26 following the retirement of longtime Houston consumer reporter Emily Akin. 

We also learned she has an orange cat.

Prior to her move to Houston, Sullivan worked as a business, consumer, and political reporter at NBC12 WWBT in Richmond, Virginia. She also served as a national consumer correspondent for America Now, a Raycom Media–produced syndicated program, where her investigative consumer reports aired nationwide for four years.

Earlier in her career, Sullivan was a consumer investigative reporter and anchor at WSPA in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, and at WZVN in Fort Myers, Florida. She has also worked as an anchor, reporter, and host in Los Angeles at Ocean County Newschannel, and began her broadcasting career as an anchor and reporter at KVAL Eugene, Oregon.

An Emerson College graduate, Sullivan holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and political communication, along with an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Over the past decade, Sullivan has earned two Emmy Awards and a National Edward R. Murrow Award for her work as an anchor and consumer investigator in Richmond. Her investigations into illegal car sales, home-improvement fraud, and consumer scams earned her the South Carolina Broadcasters Association Reporter of the Year award. She also received a Murrow Award for her consumer product testing series, "Does It Work?" and was twice voted Best Anchor Team by Richmond Magazine.

OTHER FOX 26 HOUSTON RECENT NEWS
- Mekenna Earnhart joins FOX 26 Houston
- Melissa Wilson has surgery
- Tom Zizka is having surgery, too

Terri Gruca stepping down from KVUE 5pm newscast

Terri Gruca announced she is stepping down from anchoring the KVUE Austin 5pm newscast.

UPDATE FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021
Terri Gruca leaving KVUE Austin

RELATED
Ashley Goudeau new KVUE Austin 5pm anchor

Here is what Gruca posted on Facebook:

"Today is my last day anchoring the 5pm newscast at KVUE. I’m taking a little time off with my family and when I come back in July I will be anchoring the midday show 11-noon. 

Anyone who is a working parent understands the juggle. Our boys are starting to get more involved in school activities and I don’t want to miss out. If this last year taught us anything it’s that being there matters. I’m #grateful my managers cared enough to let me give this a shot."

RELATED
Rob Evans joins KVUE Austin

Gruca has been with KVUE since 2008. She was a KVUE evening anchor for nearly a decade.  

As of late she has been the 5pm anchor with occasional appearances on the 11am midday newscast.  She also serves as an investigative reporter.

Prior to Austin, TX, Gruca worked as:

- Anchor / Investigative Reporter - WCCO Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area Minnesota
- Anchor / Investigative Reporter - WSPA Spartanburg, SC
- Anchor - WBIR Knoxville, Tennessee
- Reporter, Fill-in Anchor - WRAL Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Chita Johnson and Mia Gradney get tacky, Kraddick tribute & more

- Pam Oliver gets hit in the face
- ‘WHAM!’ WSPA Sports Anchor Acts Out Game Highlights
- Best News Bloopers 2006
- Best News Bloopers 2007
- Wendy's Training Video From The '80s. It Is Gold
- Steve McCauley's final forecast on WFAA
- KWTV Gary England's Departure Promo, 2013

Kraddick's daughter remembers her father
In her first public interview since her famous father's death, Caroline Cradick says her father did not know he had heart disease.
- Tribute to Kidd Kraddick gives Dallas fans a chance to say goodbye

Dallas Morning News Will Get Rid of Its Paywall and Debut New Premium Site in September
Dallas Morning News Will Get Rid of Its Paywall and Debut New Premium Site in September D Magazine reports.

Big fish landed
KTXD-TV (Ch. 47) gets broadcast station rights to late season Cowboys game

KTXD parts ways with D but otherwise shifts into expansion mode with The Broadcast still very much in play
D Magazine’s initial visions of a local TV empire have turned into sand castles with the announcement that it no longer will be a part of KTXD-TV’s (Ch. 47) centerpiece morning show.

Big feature from Gary Cogill and Lascaux Films to get gala treatment at Toronto Film Festival
Former WFAA movie critic-turned-movie-producer Gary Cogill flew up to Vancouver earlier this year to shoot Words and Pictures, the first big feature from Lascaux Films.

Photos: Chita, Mia at Bad Pants Open
KHOU’s Chita Johnson and Mia Gradney took to the runway in their wild, wacky pants for the 16th annual Bad Pants Open at the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women.

Appreciation of BOOTED NEWS WOMEN Blog
Rita Garcia Of Fox 26 In Houston Makes Her Blog Debut In Folded Black Leather Boots

Former KPRC met 'Chief Chuck' leaving KOLD to pursue doctorate
Chuck George, former KPRC 2 morning meteorologist and now chief at KOLD-TV, has decided to resign and devote his time to his pursuit of a doctorate.

Jan Jeffcoat leaves The List
Based on the of buzz I'm hearing, Houston misses former Fox 26 KRIV anchor Jann Jeffcoat. She really is #fox26forlife.

Perry appoints former reporter new chief of staff
Gov. Rick Perry has appointed former Houston Chronicle reporter Kathy Walt as the new chief of staff.

KTSU 90.9, The Last of the Great Radio Stations
Of all the radio stations in Houston, Free Press Houston's Rob McCarthy found that the only one he consistently enjoys is 90.9 FM The Choice KTSU.

CSN Houston to air Texas Southern home games
Comcast SportsNet Houston (CSN), a partnership between the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets and the NBC Sports Group, announced a partnership with Southwestern Athletic Conference member, Texas Southern University, to air five home football games on a delay basis.

KXAN expanding its morning newscast
KXAN is adding two more hours to its morning newscast beginning Sept. 3.

KTBC Names Lauren Petrowski Weekend Anchor
Fox 7 KTBC announced Lauren Petrowski will join meteorologist Scott Prinsen and sports anchor John Hygh as anchor of the weekend evening news.

Austin Photojournalist In The Middle Of Egypt
Caught in the middle, Cliff Cheney, a Baylor/University of Texas graduate and photojournalist.
- Former Press Writer Mike Giglio Detained, Beaten and Released During Egypt Protests

Ryan Crowe joins Herald staff
The newest member of the Herald staff is no stranger to newsrooms, or to Plainview. Ryan Crowe joined the Herald as special projects coordinator from KTVT CBS 11.

MOVING

Evan West joined KPRC 2 as a sports producer and MMJ according to Twitter. He formerly worked as a sports anchor at KBTV Beaumont.

Crystal Solomon is leaving her assignments manager gig at CW 39 KIAH's NewsFix. She takes over the same gig at Fox 26 KRIV.

REMEMBERING

Kracker Nuttz DJ Passes Away
If you’ve ever listened to 97.9 The Box in Houston in the past you have likely heard of the Kracker Nutz.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Rashi Vats moves to Fox 26 KRIV from KBTX 3
- Breeanna Malik named Clear Channel Houston Vice President of Sales
- KPRC 2's Lauren Freeman delivers baby boy
- Jennifer Lindgren joins KTVT CBS 11 from WKYC Ohio
- Colonel St. James returns to 93.7 The Arrow KKRW after surgery
- Houston TV has paid internships now

Heather Sullivan joins First Alert 4 KMOV St. Louis

Heather Sullivan has joined First Alert 4 KMOV St. Louis, Missouri, as an anchor and consumer reporter, arriving from FOX 26 KRIV Houston, where she held the same role until departing in early February 2026.

"I’m excited to share I’m now an Anchor and Consumer Reporter for First Alert 4 KMOV TV," Sullivan told mikemcguff.com.  "I will be anchoring an hour of news, consumer information, and guest interviews every day. I’ll also be covering stories to help viewers save money, avoid scams, and make their voices heard. And I’ll continue to bring all that helpful information to you on air, streaming, and here on social media. Send me your consumer issues and money questions. I’ve got you covered!

"I’m so excited to be joining the phenomenal team of journalists at KMOV and to meet the wonderful people of St. Louis! Please drop me a line and say hello!"

Special thanks to Tim, who let me know Sullivan appeared on the KMOV noon newscast today! That's how I knew to reach out to Sullivan for a comment in the first place!

Sullivan joined FOX 26 Houston in February 2020 as the station’s consumer reporter, appearing regularly on Houston’s Morning Show and across the station’s newscasts. Her Smart Sense reports focused on helping Houston-area families save money while avoiding scams, rip-offs, and consumer fraud. During her time at KRIV, she also created and hosted two streaming personal finance programs. She joined the station following the retirement of longtime Houston consumer reporter Emily Akin. (We also learned she has an orange cat.)

Before moving to Houston, Sullivan worked as a business, consumer, and political reporter at NBC12 WWBT in Richmond, Virginia. She also served as a national consumer correspondent for America Now, a Raycom Media–produced syndicated program, where her investigative consumer reports aired nationwide for four years.

Earlier in her career, Sullivan was a consumer investigative reporter and anchor at WSPA and at WZVN. She also worked as an anchor, reporter, and host in Los Angeles at Ocean County Newschannel, and began her broadcasting career as an anchor and reporter at KVAL.

A graduate of Emerson College, Sullivan holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and political communication, along with an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Over the past decade, Sullivan has earned two Emmy Awards and a National Edward R. Murrow Award for her work as an anchor and consumer investigator in Richmond. Her investigations into illegal car sales, home-improvement fraud, and consumer scams earned her the South Carolina Broadcasters Association Reporter of the Year honor. She also received a Murrow Award for her consumer product testing series, Does It Work?, and was twice voted Best Anchor Team by Richmond Magazine.

Phil Lane named KPRC 2 Vice President and General Manager

Phil Lane has been named Vice President and General Manager of KPRC 2 Houston from KSAT San Antonio where he holds the same position. 

UPDATE MARCH 2025
KPRC 2 GM Phil Lane is retiring

UPDATE OCTOBER 2022
Dave Strickland exits KPRC 2

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022
Ashley Parker named KSAT San Antonio general manager

Lane replaces Jerry Martin, who is retiring from KPRC after 11 years as the Graham Media Group Houston station head.

“I'm excited to join a wonderful local television station,” Lane said in a release. “KPRC is enjoying ratings momentum thanks to a talented team of local broadcasters who deliver important, engaging, and enterprising content to their audiences. I'm eager to build on that success while exploring new, innovative ideas for Houston. Now is our opportunity to transform our business so we can connect with and serve our community in exciting new ways. I can't wait to see what we accomplish together!”

“It is impossible to describe Phil Lane and his incredible leadership in just one sentence – to put it simply, he is a unicorn,” said Catherine Badalamente, President and Chief Executive Officer, Graham Media Group.  “While he has had a long and successful career running market-leading television stations, he is also a trailblazer and innovator whose skills are hard to match inside (and outside) of our industry.”

Lane joined KSAT in 2011. According to GMG, under Lane's leadership, KSAT maintained market-leading ratings in news and the number one local media website in San Antonio. 

He launched numerous groundbreaking local programming initiatives including “SA Live,” a daily live lifestyle program, and “Texas Eats,” a local food series now distributed across the state. 

Lane expanded KSAT’s digital initiatives with the streaming news series “KSAT Explains,” the launch of KSAT Plus content stream, mobile and OTT app, KSAT’s Big Game Coverage high school sports streaming network and the creation of Graham Media’s first membership program, KSAT Insiders.  

Prior to joining KSAT, Lane had served as:

- VP and GM of WSPA and WYCW in the Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville/Anderson, NC, market from 2004 to 2011

- WJBF in Augusta, GA, from 2000 to 2004

- WRBL in Columbus, GA, from 1997 to 2000.  

Lane is a 1987 graduate of Furman University with a BA in History.

Heather Sullivan joins FOX 26

Heather Sullivan joins FOX 26 KRIV serving as a consumer reporter for “Houston’s Morning Show” and other newscasts

Heather Sullivan will join FOX 26, announced station Vice President and News Director, Susan Schiller. Effective February 2020, she will serve as a consumer reporter for “Houston’s Morning Show” and various station newscasts.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2026
Heather Sullivan leaves FOX 26 Houston

In making the announcement, Schiller stated, “As your FOX26 for Life station, we are committed to helping our viewers make the most of every dollar they have. As an award-winning consumer reporter, Heather has the experience and knowledge to give them day-to-day practical advice on how to spend money and avoid making costly mistakes.”

Most recently, Sullivan served as a business, consumer, and political reporter for NBC12 WWBT-TV in Richmond, VA. Prior to that, she was a national consumer correspondent for AMERICA NOW, a product of Raycom Media. Previously, Sullivan held the position of consumer investigative reporter and anchor for WSPA-TV in Greenville, Spartanburg, SC, and, before that, in WZVN-TV in Fort Myers, Fl. She also served as an anchor, reporter and host for Ocean County Newschannel in Los Angeles. Sullivan began her career in broadcasting as an anchor and reporter for KVAL-TV in Eugene, OR.

Sullivan added, "I can't wait to help Houstonians and their families save money, fight scams and rip-offs, and make smarter financial decisions.”

A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, she holds a Bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism and Political Communication. She also has an MBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

RELATED
Emily Akin retires from FOX 26

FOX Television Stations owns and operates 28 full power broadcast television stations in the U.S. These include stations located in nine of the top ten largest designated market areas (DMAs), and duopolies in 11 DMAs, including the three largest DMAs (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Of these stations, 17 are affiliated with the FOX Network. In addition to distributing sports, entertainment and syndicated content, our television stations collectively produce nearly 1,000 hours of local news every week. These stations leverage viewer, distributor and advertiser demand for the FOX Network’s national content.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by FOX Television Stations)

VIDEO: TV reporter slaps party guy

Clips of television reporters being accosted by onlookers is almost getting passe. But this one from KTNV in Las Vegas makes it all worth it again.

Reporter Steve Ryan is just trying to do his live shot about Michael Jackson from downtown Las Vegas when a tourist, with drink in hand, tries to take over. What does Ryan do? He slaps the guy. Suddenly the director cuts back to the shocked anchors.

WATCH IT

RELATED
- VIDEO: TV reporter gets wet
- VIDEO: Watch out for the falling TV light!
- VIDEO: Shots fired at KTVT reporter while on air
- VIDEO: Reporters getting owned plus cussing weathermen
- VIDEO: WSPA TV reporter attacked
- VIDEO: Fox News reporter gets mic stolen in iPhone live shot

(Thanks Sid!)

KPRC 2 GM Phil Lane is retiring

Phil Lane announced in a video to staff today that he is retiring from KPRC 2 Houston as Vice President and General Manager effective April 11, 2025.

I have not personally seen the video, but multiple sources confirm the information to mikemcguff.com. 

He joined KPRC, succeeding Jerry Martin from Graham Media Group's sister station, KSAT 12 in San Antonio, in 2022, where he held the same position.

KPRC did not respond to my inquiries. If I receive a response, I will add it here.

When I asked Dave Strickland, the first KPRC news director to work under Lane, for a statement on the GM's upcoming retirement, he replied, "No comment."

During his nearly two-year tenure with the station, it created streaming offerings and added then cancelled television newscasts. Last year, KPRC debuted a new studio. 

More likely coming top down from the Graham Media Group, if you've been reading this blog or other trade publications, KPRC has recently seen a significant number of longtime employees leave.  Just last year, the station had buyouts, along with KSAT, of notable figures such as chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley and news director Bernice Kearney, among many other longtime managers.  Staffers say this has affected the morale of those who remained.  My readers have also commented on social media that the station has also experienced a high rate of turnover among anchors and reporters. 

The TV company also changed the management structure of the newsroom and publicly said that cutting anchors might be a way to trim expenses. 

If I were Lane, I would have retired, too!

Joining KSAT in 2011, Lane led the station to market dominance in news ratings and oversaw the number one local media website in San Antonio, according to Graham Media Group. Under his leadership, KSAT launched local programming, including “SA Live,” a daily live lifestyle show, and “Texas Eats,” a food series now distributed statewide.

Lane also spearheaded KSAT’s digital expansion, including the streaming news series “KSAT Explains,” the KSAT Plus content stream, mobile and OTT apps, and the KSAT Big Game Coverage high school sports network. Additionally, he created Graham Media’s first membership program, KSAT Insiders.

Before joining KSAT, the Furman University grad served as Vice President and General Manager of:

WSPA and WYCW in the Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville/Anderson, NC, market (2004-2011)

WJBF in Augusta, GA (2000-2004)

WRBL in Columbus, GA (1997-2000)

Now that KPRC will be getting a new general manager, it will add to the list of new leaders who have joined Houston TV in the last year.  David Loving was hired by KHOU and Humberto Hormaza by CW39 KIAH in May 2024, with Mike Carr by ABC13 KTRK in September 2024.

Terri Gruca leaving KVUE Austin

Terri Gruca is leaving KVUE Austin Friday, September 3, 2021.

"Hope you all know how much I appreciate you inviting me into your home all these years, for all of you who have followed me as I moved from market to market, for all of you who allowed me to share your stories," Gruca posted on Facebook. "Since I was a little girl, watching 60 Minutes with my family, I wanted to be a journalist. How lucky I am to have gotten to live that dream for 30 years! I am forever grateful!"

In an accompanying KVUE 24 article, the TEGNA staff writes that over the last months, Gruca and station managers have discussed how the longtime anchor could spend more time with her family.

As I blogged in June 2021, Gruca left the KVUE 5pm anchor role to solely work on the 11am to noon mid-day newscast. Anchor/political reporter Ashley Goudeau was named the KVUE 5pm anchor a few days later.

The KVUE article states Gruca is now leaving the TV news business.

RELATED
Jason Mikell's last day at KVUE today (VIDEO)

"Anyone who is a working parent understands the juggle," Gruca added on KVUE.com. "Our boys are starting to get more involved in school activities and I don’t want to miss out. Leaving has not been an easy decision for me, but one I feel I have to make right now for my family. My boys are making their way through these challenging times, and I want to make sure I can be there to help them navigate it all without feeling like I’m short siding them or KVUE."

“Terri has been our rock and a tremendous mentor in the KVUE newsroom," said KVUE president and general manager Kristie Gonzales on the station's website. "While we are sad to see her go, she will always be a part of the KVUE family. We wish Terri and her family the best.” 

Gruca joined KVUE in 2008, serving as the station's evening news anchor for nearly ten years.

Before Texas, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill grad worked at the following stations:

- Anchor / Investigative Reporter - WCCO Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area Minnesota

- Anchor / Investigative Reporter - WSPA Spartanburg, SC

- Anchor - WBIR Knoxville, Tennessee

- Reporter, Fill-in Anchor - WRAL Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

No word yet on what profession Gruca will join in the future. 

(Thanks Adam!)

Texas TV & radio job moves October 2017

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Dale Hansen, the opinionated sports anchor for WFAA/Channel 8, will be with the station through at least 2018.

DEMETRIA OBILOR joins WFAA-TV as a traffic/ensemble anchor and will host an AM digital show. - United Talent Agency
- It's a "social" whirl at TEGNA8's new Twitter/Facebook-driven Daybreak

Former KDFW reporter, Diana Zoga, has landed back on air full-time at KXAS NBC5.

Amanda Guerra Moves To Morning Co-Anchor At KRLD-A/Dallas.

Former long-time CBS Newspath Regional Producer, Derik Lattig, has been working as a Supervising Producer/Writer at Glenn Beck's Blaze TV since February and has accepted a full time position. Lattig was one of 12 Regional Producers CBS terminated when it closed it's Regional Offices in February.

HOUSTON

Courtney Zubowski working for CBS News.

Jacob Rascon debuts as anchor on KPRC 2.

Former KPRC anchor Courtney Zavala returns to channel 2 as Houston Life host.

Mike O'Neill has left his job as a producer at KHOU 11. He is now working with the Lance Roberts Show on 700 KSEV. Roberts will soon launch a subscription-based website for investors called Real Investment News. O'Neill will work with former FOX 26 KRIV reporter Scarlet Fakhar on the site.

KTRK abc13 weekend anchor Tom Abrahams celebrates 18 years with the station.

The K-TOR The Tornado radio studio at Ball High School will be officially known as "The Anita Martini K-TOR Studio".


SAN ANTONIO

Anchorwoman Sarah Lucero has tendered her resignation after nearly 20 years at KENS.

Ex-San Antonio TV anchor star Chris Marrou returning to KENS.
- San Antonio TV legend Chris Marrou reveals new KENS role

San Antonio TV anchorman Charles Gonzalez is hanging up his KSAT mic after 10 years to focus full time on another passion: coffee.

KSAT-TV names new anchors.

AUSTIN

CBK Media Management client Sydney Benter has been named Weeknight News Anchor at KXAN-TV (NBC) in Austin, Texas (Market #39). As one of the station’s new main anchors, Sydney will anchor KXAN News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., and KXAN News at 9 p.m. on The CW Austin.

Tania Ortega has been named weekend morning anchor of Fox 7 KTBC Austin, Texas (DMA 39).

KVUE's Cori Coffin is joining FOX 5 DC as a reporter.

AROUND TEXAS

CBK Media Management Client Tobias Rodriguez is making a 166 market jump to become a News Reporter at WSPA, the CBS affiliate in Spartanburg, SC (Market #37). Prior to South Carolina, Tobias was a Multimedia Journalist at KAVU (ABC) in Victoria, TX (Market #203).

Shakeup signs at KGBT Harlingen TV Spy reports. There is no sign of evening anchor, Eddie Flores.

KXXF/Beaumont, TX Adds Gary Lee Love For Afternoons.

KBTX anchor Kathleen Witte was badly burned in a fire that she started in her condo.

Joe Gazin hits 40 years at KIII Corpus Christi.

REMEMBERING

The celebration of Buddy Holiday’s life – one of the founders of KSBJ and the first Station Manager and morning show host of KSBJ – was held on Saturday, October 14th, at the Rosewood Funeral Home in Humble.

Former KTRK abc13 photographer Kevin Greer passes away.