Bill Balleza to hit 50 years on TV with KPRC 2 contract extension

KPRC 2's Bill Balleza to stay in anchor chair through 2021

Bill Balleza

After deciding to continue in his anchor role at KPRC 2, Bill Balleza will hit 50 years on the air in a few years, although not with the same station the entire time. With his latest contract extension, he will keep anchoring at channel 2 through 2021.

Balleza's illustrious TV career started as a gamble.

After serving three years in the Marine Corps (including 13 months in Vietnam where he was positioned as a scout/sniper), broadcasting was a degree Balleza's guidance counselor at San Antonio College advised him not to pursue. The reason, at the time in the late 1960s, Balleza says few Hispanics were working in the industry.

"I chose broadcasting anyway because there was no math requirement, and I had flunked algebra twice in high school," Balleza told mikemcguff.com.

Graduating with a degree he never expected to use, Balleza did manage to land a job on the floor crew at his hometown station KSAT San Antonio. And then Balleza says his big break came.

"Stations around the country were looking for minority candidates because activist groups began challenging their licenses based on employment practices," Balleza told me. "My first reporter job was at KRON in San Francisco in May of 1971."

Houston's own KHOU 11 hired the young Balleza as a reporter in 1973.

Balleza moved to KPRC in 1980, following the legendary Ron Stone as main anchor in 1990.

"Looking back, algebra might be the main reason my career will span 50 years when I retire in June of 2021," Balleza joked.

And on that summer five years from now, Houston viewers will say goodbye to another television legend. But hey, maybe we can twist his arm to sign another five year extension!

RELATED
- KPRC 2 claims top spot in November 2016 sweeps
- KPRC 2 launches new graphics package 2016

KPRC's official release:

KPRC 2 EXTENDS CONTRACT WITH VETERAN EVENING NEWS ANCHOR BILL BALLEZA

Emmy-Winning Journalist’s Career Spans More Than Four Decades

Houston, TX: KPRC 2 is proud to announce longtime news anchor Bill Balleza has renewed his commitment to Houston news viewers with a contract extension into 2021.

Balleza, who joined KPRC 2 in August of 1980, began his career as a reporter at San Francisco’s KRON-TV in July of 1971. With his contract extension, Balleza is set to reach a milestone of 50 years in television broadcasting.

“We are delighted that our viewers can continue to count on Bill, who they’ve known and trusted as a leader in the Houston community for more than 35 years,” said KPRC 2 VP/General Manager, Jerry Martin. “His energy and presence at the anchor desk represents the gold standard in the broadcast industry. I know our viewers join me in my enthusiasm as they welcome Bill into their homes on KPRC 2 News well into the future.”

Balleza anchors KPRC 2 News at 5pm, 6pm and 10pm, Monday through Friday.

“I am so grateful to be part of such a great news organization with such dedicated and caring professionals,” said Balleza. “I am grateful, too, for the opportunity to report news in the most dynamic and diverse city in America. The Houston area is a great place to live, and I’m so proud to have called Houston home for most of my adult life.”

KPRC 2 News at 10 with Bill Balleza, Dominique Sachse, Frank Billingsley and Randy McIlvoy is a consistent ratings leader and scored a dominant victory during the November 2016 Nielsen measurement period with a 2.7 rating representing a full point advantage over the nearest competitor (Adults 25-54 based on Nielsen Live + SD overnights, Monday-Friday for the measurement period of October 27, 2016 through November 23, 2016).

A native Texan, Balleza graduated from San Antonio College. He is a Vietnam veteran who served as a Marine Scout Sniper during the Tet Offensive of 1968.

Balleza’s remarkable journalism career has found him covering historic events like the Murrah Federal Building explosion in Oklahoma City, the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the election of Pope Francis and much more. He won an Emmy for his reporting on the deadly fertilizer company explosion in West, TX.

Bill Balleza back from summer break on KPRC 2; Dominique Sachse now gone

Bill Balleza back on channel 2, Sachse off

UPDATE
KPRC 2's Bill Balleza talks about facelift

Bill Balleza

During the month of July, KPRC 2 viewers were asking where the heck is anchor Bill Balleza?

If you followed my Facebook page (click here to get those extra Houston news items), I wrote last week how Balleza actually had the entire month off! That's a heck of a perk!

"Summer is slow for us so we take most of our time off during these months," Balleza wrote on Facebook during his break. "I'm looking forward to getting back to work, but time off is a great battery re-charger isn't it?"

I'm sure viewers are happy to see a familiar KPRC face back in their living rooms. In fact, I received lots of email about his return.

Balleza's absence left KPRC 2 anchor Dominique Sachse to do the heavy lifting in his absence.  Don't worry about Sachse though, she's now on vacation and will return August 12th. As Sache wrote on Facebook, she and Balleza are "two ships passing in the night."

UPDATE
KPRC 2's Bill Balleza talks about facelift

Bill Balleza anchoring today on KPRC with Rachel McNeill who was filling in for Dominique Sachse.

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Bill Balleza signs off KPRC 2

Well, tonight is the night that Bill Balleza signs off KPRC 2 for the last time at the conclusion of the 10pm newscast.

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WATCH: VIDEO: Bill Balleza's goodbye on last KPRC 2 newscast

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I keep getting asked when I'm writing the Balleza retirement post and here it goes. It's a post I've been procrastinating on because it's not one I want to write. And besides, channel 2 has done some great pieces this week as tributes.

Balleza is an icon who has been on Houston TV since I was born. It's unthinkable that he won't be behind the Big 2 news desk any longer.

A steadfast and calming voice that has reported the news since May of 1971 starting at KRON San Francisco (he got back to Texas as soon as he could), Balleza would no doubt be one of the faces carved into the mythical Houston TV anchor Mount Rushmore.

From San Antonio to Vietnam and back again

The legendary channel 2 anchor always was gracious with his time when it came to my blog. In 2016, Balleza told me how he started his broadcasting journey.

Before television even came into his mind, Balleza served in Vietnam as a Marine Scout Sniper during the 1968 Tet Offensive. In a recent TV interview, Balleza said he thought after the war he would return to be a San Antonio police officer.

When Balleza's San Antonio College guidance counselor advised him not to enter broadcasting, since at the time, few Hispanics worked in the industry, Balleza pursued it anyway.

"I chose broadcasting anyway because there was no math requirement, and I had flunked algebra twice in high school," Balleza joked with mikemcguff.com.

After graduation, Balleza landed a job as a member of the KSAT San Antonio production floor crew. Then his first break came.

"In those days a studio announcer sat in a small booth and tagged out commercials and read public service announcements," Balleza told Ken Hoffman last October. "One night the studio announcer got sick at dinner and the program director pressed me into service. It was my first time ever on the air. All my family in San Antonio was listening as I said, ‘Sale good through Thursday at your neighborhood H-E-B.’ I also did ‘Joske’s of Texas, by the Alamo. Open tonight ‘til 9.’ That was my favorite day."

Go West, young man - but hurry back to Texas

His next break came thanks to a change in society and the TV business.

"Stations around the country were looking for minority candidates because activist groups began challenging their licenses based on employment practices," Balleza told me. "My first reporter job was at KRON in San Francisco in May of 1971."


The native San Antonian made his way back to Texas at Houston's KHOU 11. Famed channel 11 news director Dick John recognized the talent in Balleza's journalistic work and hired him from San Francisco TV.

"Dick hired me in June of 1973 to work at KHOU," Balleza told mikemcguff.com in 2014 upon John's death. "I had been reporting for KRON-TV in San Francisco and wanted to get back to Texas. He took me to lunch at the old Warwick Hotel where we sealed the deal. I recalled telling him that I planned to be in Houston no longer than two years. He reminded me a few months ago that two years can stretch into forty in the blink of an eye."

There the young reporter began anchoring along side the likes of Steve Smith.

Kotton Port Rail Center - "You know what I mean, Vern?"

After seven years, Balleza headed down the Southwest Freeway to KPRC in 1980 where he has been an anchor/reporter ever since. In 1990, when Ron Stone retired, Balleza became the main anchor of channel 2.

In his time anchoring for the Houston NBC affiliate, Balleza shared the desk with Paula Zahn, Jan Carson, Linda Lorelle and his current co-anchor Dominique Sachse.

"Bill, Frank [Billingsley] and I have been family since April 2001," Sachse said in a statement last year announcing Balleza's retirement. "Our friendship runs deep, palpable by our viewers and colleagues alike. What an incredible ride as a team, based on love, comradery, humor and respect. We’ve always attributed any success not to the efforts of one, but to the contribution of all. It’s that mindset that made us work and will continue to do so. I’m elated for my co-anchor who is writing his own script but sad that this era is coming to an end. What a legacy you leave, Bill, and a high bar you’ve set."

So did Balleza ever think about leaving channel 2?

"I actually did have a few offers to leave," he told Ken Hoffman in 2017. "Paula Zahn tried to get me to join her in Los Angeles, but when I went to interview for the job, the news director told me he drank four Wink sodas in less than an hour. When I told him I decided to stay in Houston, he said, 'OK, see you on another planet someday.'I also had a job offer from CNN in 1981, but I was actually making more money at Channel 2 than they were willing to pay."

“It’s never easy saying goodbye to a family member, and even more difficult losing an icon,” said KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin said in a 2019 statement. “For over 35 years on the anchor desk Bill capitalized the “J” in journalism for our newsroom. It is only fitting that he is retiring at the top of his game with both our 6pm and 10 pm newscasts leading the market since 2017.”

Never to be totally confined to the anchor desk, Balleza anchored the news from around the world. His world-wide reporting work took him aboard the aircraft carrier USS Truman during Operation Iraqi Freedom, to the Vatican while covering the death of Pope John Paul II and then the later election of Pope Francis. State side, Balleza also covered the shooting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, the Murrah Federal Building explosion in Oklahoma City, and the crash of American Flight 587 in New York, one month after the 9-11 attacks. He won a Lone Star Emmy Award for his reporting of deadly West, Texas fertilizer explosion.

“Bill is an incredible journalist and anchor,” said KPRC 2 News Director David Strickland said in a 2019 statement. “His ability to communicate with the viewer and earn their trust is what makes him unique and special. He is also a wonderful co-worker, whose leadership inside this newsroom will be greatly missed.”

View this post on Instagram

The #kprc2 team toasts @kprc2billballeza on his last newscast. More on his retirement in my link.

A post shared by mike mcguff (@mikemcguff) on Jan 31, 2020 at 8:37pm PST

What's Old Is New Again

As he signs off, Balleza says the TV industry has come full circle from when he first started.

"When I started, a reporter shot film, wrote the script, and edited the pictures," Balleza told CultureMap in 2019. "They called us, ‘a one man band.’ We’re back to that again 50 years later only now they call us, ‘a multi-media journalist.’ The reason is that TV news revenues have been siphoned off by cable, the Internet, Spanish language television, and a rapidly declining TV news audience. We used to win the 10 pm news with a 17 rating. Now we win with a 1.9 rating. The television news platform is slowly dying."

Now Balleza did not make it to 50 years in the TV business as promised.

We'll forgive him.

Instead of the craft of journalism, Balleza says in retirement he will pursue his other passion - woodworking. He's made furniture, keepsake boxes and even Radar the Weather Dog's first dog house.

He'll also be spending time with family - his wife of 27 years, Melissa, three children (Heidi, Kate and Travis) and two grandchildren. And let's not forget his dog of 12 years, Brinkley.

And if you think you see a guy that looks like Balleza at Whataburger ordering a number 4, it might be him.

Congrats Bill!

Leave Bill Balleza a goodbye message!

KPRC 2's Bill Balleza talks about facelift

I've been getting lots of emails about Bill Balleza's return to KPRC this week. After a month on vacation in July, my readers are asking if the popular Balleza had work done on his face. The answer is yes. I asked Bill about it and here is what he told mikemcguff.com:

Bill Balleza

For reasons that are entirely personal I decided to do something about my appearance.

I am now 65 and a few years ago began noticing that my face and neck were sagging. Over the past 18 months or so I made some nutritional changes that resulted in my losing about 25 pounds.

The weight loss made the sagging in my face and neck even worse so I decided to have a lower face lift. I did not have any work done on my eyes, but the normal swelling that follows a lower face lift did make the area around my eyes puffy, and the swelling is taking longer than anticipated to abate.

I could have waited a few more weeks for the swelling to fully resolve but I really wanted to return to the job I love.

It is possible that the swelling will be around for a few more weeks and I am hoping that our viewers will indulge me during this period.

Years ago, Marvin Zindler told me that I would one day decide to have plastic surgery, and although I silently disagreed with him at the time, it turns out he was right.

For my part, I believe it was the right decision, and I truly hope that folks agree with me.

Here is a photo from Thursday's newscast after Balleza returned to channel 2:

VIDEO: Bill Balleza's goodbye on last KPRC 2 newscast

Here is the video of Bill Balleza giving his final words on KPRC 2's 10pm newscast.

From what I understand, some cable customers might have had the audio dropout.

RELATED
My tribute to KPRC 2 Bill Balleza and his amazing TV news career

Leave Bill Balleza a goodbye message!

Bill Balleza co-hosts Houston Life

Bill Balleza returned to KPRC 2 today to co-host Houston Life with Derrick Shore on Veterans Day.  A veteran himself, Balleza served as a Marine Scout Sniper during the Vietnam War.

Balleza retired from his channel 2 evening anchor duties in January 2020.

RELATED
VIDEO: Bill Balleza's goodbye on last KPRC 2 newscast

KPRC 2 anchor Bill Balleza celebrates 40 TV years

KPRC 2 anchor Bill Balleza got cake and balloons from his co-workers Tuesday on the 6pm newscast (WATCH VIDEO). He's been in the TV biz for 40 years. For nearly 31 years, he's been at KPRC 2 (he started there Aug. 18, 1980).

Heck I remember when Bill was the young, new guy on the KPRC anchor desk! The only anchor that has been in Houston that long that I can think of his KTRK 13's Dave Ward (if you count sports, Bob Allen has also been on Houston TV longer).

Turns out Balleza started his television news career in San Antonio at KSAT which is now KPRC's Post-Newsweek sister station. Before that, Balleza's bio says he was in the Marine Corps, "including 13 months in Vietnam where he was positioned as a scout/sniper."


Watch Balliez anchoring with Linda Lorelle from 1/7/94:





And for you longtime KPRC fans, here is Balleza's image in the classic Ernest P. Worrell (RIP Jim Varney) KPRC campaign.

KPRC legendary anchor Bill Balleza to retire

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October 16, 2019 – Houston, TX – Following an esteemed 49-year career, KPRC Channel 2 anchor Bill Balleza has announced that he will retire from the station in January 2020. The announcement was made to the KPRC 2 news team during a meeting today.

“It’s never easy saying goodbye to a family member, and even more difficult losing an icon,” said KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin. “For over 35 years on the anchor desk Bill capitalized the “J” in journalism for our newsroom. It is only fitting that he is retiring at the top of his game with both our 6pm and 10 pm newscasts leading the market since 2017.”

A native of San Antonio, Bill joined KPRC 2 News in August of 1980 as a reporter and anchor, and became main anchor in 1990, following Ron Stone. During his tenure at KPRC 2 Bill has shared the anchor desk with respected newscasters Paula Zahn, Jan Carson, Linda Lorelle and his current co-anchor Dominique Sachse since 2001.

Bill thrived on covering breaking news and has frequently been called upon to lead KPRC 2’s news coverage as field anchor on the scene. Throughout his distinguished career that has spanned more than 45 years Bill has covered thousands of stories including Operation Iraqi Freedom aboard the aircraft carrier USS Truman, the death of Pope John Paul II from the Vatican in 2005 and the Conclave to elect Pope Francis in 2013. He also covered the shooting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, the Murrah Federal Building explosion in Oklahoma City, and the crash of American Flight 587 in New York, one month after the 9-11 attacks and earned the prestigious Emmy Award for his reporting on the deadly fertilizer company explosion in West, Texas.

“Bill is an incredible journalist and anchor,” said KPRC 2 News Director David Strickland. “His ability to communicate with the viewer and earn their trust is what makes him unique and special. He is also a wonderful co-worker, whose leadership inside this newsroom will be greatly missed.”

He began his career as a television reporter at KRON-TV in San Francisco in July 1971, before joining KHOU-TV in 1973. A graduate of San Antonio College, Bill is a Vietnam veteran who served as a Marine Scout Sniper during the Tet Offensive of 1968.

Bill has maintained both his illustrious career and devotion to family equally. He is married to the former Melissa Loh of Houston. He has three children, and two grandchildren. An avid woodworker, Bill has designed and built rooms full of furniture, including for families that he and his KPRC 2 colleagues sponsored for their Houston Habitat for Humanity builds.

RELATED
Jennifer Reyna is leaving KPRC 2

(This post was taken from a press release sent to me by KPRC)

KPRC' s Dominique Sachse, Bill Balleza & Frank Billingsley on 'The Tonight Show' - VIDEO

KPRC 2's Dominique Sachse, Bill Balleza & Frank Billingsley make an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon


KPRC 2 anchors Dominique Sachse, Bill Balleza & chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley went national last night as they all made separate appearances on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

In a segment called, I've Got Good News and Good News, host Jimmy Fallons gives anchors at NBC affiliates across the country stories he and his staff wish could actually be on TV. His reasoning is there is too much bad stuff in the news these days.

Besides, Frank's forecast of 100% puppy hugs is a great way to end hurricane season.


(Thanks to PR Fairy @farbulous)

Bill Balleza honored with Dave Ward "Excellence in Media" award

Former KPRC 2 anchor Bill Balleza was honored with Dave Ward Excellence in Media Award for 2023. It's cool to see one Houston news legend honoring another. 

"Humbled and grateful to be honored with an award named after my good friend, Dave Ward," Balleza said on Facebook.

The award was presented during the Crime Stoppers of Houston 2023 Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon held at the Royal Sonesta Houston on April 26, 2023.

Balleza retired from KPRC 2 in January 2020 after a 49-year career in the television news business.  Watch his final channel 2 sign-off.

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- Shara Fryer and Randy Wallace honored at Crime Stoppers of Houston Heroes Award Luncheon
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KPRC 2 anchor Bill Balleza honored

KPRC 2 ace reporter Mary Benton lets us know that anchor Bill Balleza was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals:

Bill has been covering news in the Houston area for more than thirty years. He is a true professional, always calm and credible on the air, and behind the scenes he is a warm and friendly person.

He is not only the “face” of Channel 2, Bill is also a true reporter. He never hesitates, especially during breaking news, to roll up his sleeves and do whatever is necessary to bring the latest information to viewers. READ THE REST

Are Dominque and Bill back on KPRC 2?

Breaking: @KPRC2 has brought back Bill Balleza and Dominque Sachse. Just saw the promo during the NFL Honors show. pic.twitter.com/DmKG2e9pwM

— Gil Gredinger (@KPRC2Gil) February 10, 2023

Houston television viewers who tuned into the NFL Honors, which aired on NBC last night, caught a local KPRC 2 break, according to this tweet, that had a tease with Dominque Sachse and Bill Balleza teasing the 10pm newscast.

Before you get excited, no, the legendary duo are still living a post TV career life.  Daniella Guzman and Keith Garvin are still very much behind the KPRC evening anchor desk. 

My guess it was just an error in the station's playback server which probably isn't even in Houston anymore. 

By the way, see the 70 years logo at the bottom of the video?  KPRC celebrated 70 years on the air back in 2019 which now seems like a lifetime ago.

TV stations playing old video on air accidentally does happen from time to time.  Iconic, and now retired Waco-Temple-Killeen TV anchor, Ray Peters, says one Central Texas station has played the same news tease break from the 2022 Thanksgiving weekend during NFL games this year multiple times.

If you're feeling nostalgic, watch this KPRC 2 newscast from January 31, 2020 before the world shut down that year. 

Chita Johnson's private hurricane, Kidd Kraddick returns and more

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KPRC 2 claims #1 spot in November 2017 sweeps

Channel 2 wins at 4, 5, 6 and 10pm in Houston

Houstonians continue to choose KPRC Channel 2 as Houston’s Home for News.

Once again, they made the NBC affiliate the #1 station in key dayparts across the city among people ages 25-54 for the Nielsen November 2017 measurement period.

KPRC 2 News at 4 p.m. with Keith Garvin and Sara Donchey has grown 20% year-to- year and dominated November with a rating equal to that of KTRK and KHOU combined.

KPRC 1.2
KTRK 0.7
KHOU 0.5

KPRC 2 News at 5 p.m. with Bill Balleza and Lauren Freeman shows 8% year-to- year growth, and was the clear winner in November.

KPRC 1.4
KTRK 1.0
KHOU 0.7

KPRC 2 News at 6 p.m. featuring Bill Balleza, Dominique Sachse, Meteorologist Frank Billingsley and Sports Director Randy McIlvoy brought the station another victory with a 1.8 rating at 6 p.m. That team also continued their long-standing late news ratings dominance, achieving the market’s top rating of 2.2 for KPRC 2 News at 10 p.m.

“Our evening newscasts continue to outshine the competition and we’re proud of our growth at 4 and 5 p.m.,” said KPRC Channel 2 General Manager, Jerry Martin. “It’s a testament to the hard work our news team puts in to bring viewers breaking news, up-to- the-minute developments on Houston’s big stories and of course strong, investigative journalism on issues that matter to Houstonians every day.”

KPRC 2 News Today (4:30-7 a.m.) finished November strong, taking a close second place by only a tenth of a point with a 1.4 rating in the 6 a.m. hour.

Entertainment programming also drew viewers to KPRC Channel 2, with #1 November ratings (Adults 25-54) for Dr. Phil (3 p.m.), Extra (4:30 p.m.), Entertainment Tonight (6:30 p.m.), Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show.

All ratings are Adults 25-54 based on Nielsen Live + SD overnights for the measurement period of October 27 th , 2017 through November 23 rd , 2017, M-F 6-6:30 a.m., 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm, 6-6:30pm and 10-10:30pm.

KPRC Channel 2 is the NBC affiliate for Houston, TX. The station is owned by The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) and is one of seven in the television division along with WDIV Detroit, WKMG Orlando, KSAT San Antonio, WSLS Roanoke and WJXT & WCWJ in Jacksonville. KPRC has long been an innovator as the first television station in Houston and the 12 th in the nation. KPRC was the first in Houston to broadcast in color and the station that beamed Neil Armstrong’s famous words “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” across the world. KPRC’s innovative spirit continues to this day through communications advances and community partnerships. Other KPRC properties include Click2Houston.com and THIStv.

(This post taken from a release sent to me by KPRC)

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Kris Gutierrez rejoins KPRC 2

Former KPRC 2 reporter/fill-in anchor Kris Gutierrez rejoins channel 2 Houston as evening news anchor from NBC 5 KXAS DFW

March 19, 2020 – Houston, TX – KPRC 2 welcomes back a familiar face. Kris Gutierrez will join Dominique Sachse, Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley and Sports Director Randy McIlvoy to anchor the station’s 6PM and 10PM newscasts beginning March 30th. Gutierrez will also anchor KPRC 2 News at 5PM with Lauren Freeman.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2022
Kris Gutierrez leaves KPRC 2

RELATED
- Bill Balleza signs off KPRC 2
- VIDEO: Bill Balleza's goodbye on last KPRC 2 newscast

Texas-born Gutierrez is a multiple Emmy and Regional Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience covering news on the national, regional and local stages.

No stranger to Houston or Channel 2 News, Gutierrez served as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KPRC 2 from 2003 – 2007, where he was named Best Television Reporter in Texas by the Texas Association of Broadcasters, Top Television Journalist by the Houston Press Club, and awarded the Best Live Report from the Dallas Press Club.

In 2007, Kris left KPRC 2 for a position as national correspondent at Fox News Channel, based in the Dallas bureau, where he was sole reporter for all editorial content in a four-state region including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Gutierrez has since worked as a morning news anchor at WBBM-TV in Chicago, before joining Dallas’ KXAS-TV in March 2015, where he currently anchors the NBC 5 News at 5. He has previously worked at KVUE-TV in Austin, WKBN-TV in Youngstown, OH, and KXII-TV in Sherman, TX.

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- NBC 5 KXAS anchor Kris Gutierrez appears on "The Kelly Clarkson Show"
- The family life of a cable TV reporter

“Kris is the quintessential Texan with a passion for storytelling and extensive experience in both national and local media. His positive energy and work ethic make Mr. Gutierrez a perfect fit for the KPRC 2 team especially during such an unprecedented time.” Jerry Martin, KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager.

Kris is dedicated to journalism, but his greatest love is his family. When Kris is not reporting on big stories or at the anchor desk, you can find him cheering on his two kids at sporting events with his wife, Krystle Gutierrez.

A graduate of Lewisville High School, Kris earned a BS in Broadcast Journalism at Texas Christian University. He remains active in the Horned Frog community, sitting on the Board of Volunteers at the Bob Schieffer College of Communications.

Graham Media Group is comprised of 7 local media hubs, Graham Digital and Social News Desk delivering local news, programming, advertising solutions and digital media tools for television, online, mobile, OTT, podcasts and audio devices. We are dynamic, local brands that extend well beyond the traditional TV set. Our work helps inform, celebrate and knit together the communities we serve.

GMG operates in 6 states: KPRC–Houston, WDIV–Detroit and WSLS–Roanoke (NBC); KSAT–San Antonio (ABC); WKMG–Orlando (CBS); WJXT–Jacksonville (fully local), and WCWJ–Jacksonville (CW). Based in Detroit, Graham Digital is a digital media and technology development group widely recognized as a leading industry innovator. Social News Desk, headquartered in Atlanta, provides its 2500+ worldwide newsroom-customers with a single dashboard to publish, measure, curate and monetize local news content on social platforms.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by KPRC 2)

Kris Gutierrez talks faith and God

New KPRC 5, 6 and 10pm anchor Kris Gutierrez talks about his return to Houston, the challenge of being a dependable voice during the pandemic, and his life as a man of God


Kris Gutierrez might be new to some KPRC 2 viewers in 2020, but the anchor who is taking over for the legendary Bill Balleza, is actually returning to channel 2 in Houston.

RELATED
VIDEO: Bill Balleza's goodbye on last KPRC 2 newscast

Gutierrez worked for the NBC affiliate from 2003 to 2007.

After moving his family back to H-Town, Gutierrez has returned to Houston's First Baptist Church.

Pastor Gregg Matte sat down with Gutierrez to talk about his return to Houston, the challenge of being a dependable voice during the pandemic, and his life as a man of God.

His last gig was anchoring at NBC 5 KXAS in Dallas - Fort Worth.

Houston, TX media moves of 2020

Where did your favorite Houston or Texas anchor/reporter leave or come from during 2020?

JANUARY

Barbi Leo joins KIII 

KHOU 11 launches its first ever Sunday morning newscast

Anayeli Ruiz joins KHOU

Madd Hatta Show on 97.9 The Box cancelled

Jessie Watt joins Mix 96.5’s “The Morning Mix” 

Lisa Hernandez leaves KHOU 11

Chauncy Glover adds 6:30pm news duties

Brandi Smith new KHOU Saturday morning anchor

Larry Seward leaves KHOU

Sophia Beausoleil leaves KPRC 2

Matthew Seedorff joins FOX 26 KRIV

Hannah Mackenzie joins KPRC 2

Heather Sullivan joins FOX 26

Katherine Marchand leaves abc13 KTRK

Sophia Beausoleil joins NBC 5 KXAS

Bill Balleza signs off KPRC 2

VIDEO: Bill Balleza's goodbye on last KPRC 2 newscast

FEBRUARY

Raven Ambers joins abc13 KTRK

Luis Gerardo Nuñez joins “Noticiero Telemundo Houston” at 4pm and 4:30pm

MARCH

Anavid Reyes joins KPRC 

Kevin Roth joins abc13 KTRK

Kris Gutierrez rejoins KPRC 2

"The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show” returns to Houston on RadioNOW 92.1

KPRC 2 photojournalist John Treadgold talks 44 year Houston TV career

APRIL

MaryAnn Martinez leaves KPRC 2

Roxie Bustamante joins abc13 KTRK

Taniya Wright leaves KPRC 2

Lisa Hernandez joins KPRC 2

Michael Lopardi joins KPRC 2

MAY 

Roula Christie launches syndicated 'Weekends with Roula'

Albert Ramon leaving KVUE Austin for News Nation

Niku Kazori leaves KENS 5 San Antonio

Chris Pruitt named VP and GM of CW39 KIAH

Jennifer Sanders joins KXAN Austin

Sally Mamdooh leaves KPRC 2

Russ McCaskey and Jennifer Lindgren among CBS 11 KTVT layoffs

CW33 KDAF DFW launching Morning After with Ron Corning and Jenny Anchondo

John Labus leaves 740 KTRH

JUNE 

Steve Simon exits CW39 KIAH 

Leslie Mouton leaves KSAT 12

Brett Buffington leaves KHOU 11

Niccole Caan new KENS 5 consumer investigative reporter

Juan Beltran exits abc13 KTRK

Lori Bruffett promoted to KBTX GM

Ron “The Show” Hughley joins SportsRadio 610 KILT

Chrisdyann Uribe leaves FOX 26 

Erika Lopez re-joins KVUE Austin

Mike Lee promoted to VP-GM of KWKT & KYLE Waco/Temple/Bryan

NBC 5 KXAS launches "Texas Today," Dallas-Fort Worth’s New Lifestyle Program 

Mark Garcia named VP & GM of KMID Midland/Odessa

James Brown leaves KBMT Beaumont

Hannah Mackenzie leaves KPRC 2

KPRC 2's "Houston Life" moves to 3pm

Houston Public Media experiences staff cuts due to COVID-19 budget shortfalls 

Ramon J. Pineda to lead KRIS Corpus Christi

Sally Ramirez to leave KHOU 11

Russ Lewis to retire from KHOU

JULY 

José Santos leaves Telemundo Houston

Big changes at KRIS 6 Corpus Christi 

Trey Serna leaves CW39 KIAH

Daniel Aguilar takes over as Newscenter 25 KAVU Victoria GM, James Munoz as news director

Deneige Broom returns to WFTV 9

Re’Chelle Turner joins KPRC 2

Newscenter25 KAVU's announces new anchor lineup

KVUE Austin shifts Bryan Mays and Mike Rush

Faith Woodard joins KVEO Brownsville

Mary Kate Hamilton joins KOSA Midland-Odessa

Bailey Vaughn joins KTEN 10

Breanna Barrs leaves FOX 29 KABB

AUGUST

Madd Hatta to advise KTSU The Vibe

Andrew Tate joins KTEN Sherman

Isaac Williams joins NBC 23 KVEO Brownsville

Joe Puma joins KVII Amarillo

Mark Silberstein joins KRIS Corpus Christi

Kalyn Norwood to leave KVUE 24

Brandon Hamilton leaves KWTX 10

Chinedu Ogu joins Great Day Houston

Stephanie Serna named KSAT 12 morning anchor

Elise Hu: From KVUE to VICE News

Joe Sam joins Houston Life

Deborah Wrigley to leave abc13 KTRK

KHOU's Sally Ramirez to executive produce CNBC's “The News With Shepard Smith”

Lainie Fritz leaves TV sports behind for now

Sydney Hernández joins Local 23 KVEO as evening anchor

SEPTEMBER

FOX 26 KRIV debuts “The NewsEdge Early Edition” at 6pm with Kaitlin Monte

Maria Sotolongo leaves CW39 KIAH

Adam Krueger joins CW39 Houston

KVEO Brownsville debuts first-ever Latina anchor team

Collin Myers exits abc13 KTRK

Bob Slovak leaves abc13 KTRK

CW39 Houston NO WAIT WEATHER + TRAFFIC

Lee Sausley announces KRIS 6 retirement

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

KETK Tyler launches new 4 and 4:30pm newscasts

Laura Laughead joins KAMC Lubbock

Bria Bell returns to Dallas at Spectrum News

KRGV Rio Grande Valley hires Marianela Aguirre and Hugo Magallan

Mayde Gomez joins FOX 29 San Antonio KABB

KXAN's CW Austin debuts weather and traffic AM news

Rashi Vats's 5pm anchor journey

Jessica Hunt leaves KSAT 12

OCTOBER

Mike Capps: From KPRC to WFAA, ABC and CNN

Spectrum News 1 to serve DFW/Wichita Falls and other parts of Texas

Lauren Westbrook returns to KWTX 10 Waco

The Mike McGuff blog is 15 years old!

DECEMBER

KHOU Taps Roldan, Boslow and Klein to Lead Content Team in Houston, Texas

Kyle Claude named Houston Public Media Executive Director of Content Operations

Russ McCaskey joins WINK News Florida after KTVT

Ashley Paredez joins ABC 15 KNXV Phoenix

Andrea Parquet-Taylor named vice president and news director at CBS Los Angeles

Jerrel ‘Hardbody Kiotti’ Brown leaves 97.9 The Box

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

Mike Gillaspia joins KIII after KRIS

Brett Anthony joins KYTX CBS19

Carrigan Chauvin joins CW39 KIAH

Courtney Carpenter leaves CW39 KIAH

Karsen Buschjost joins Big 2 News KMID Midland/Odessa

Bill Balleza's twin, Fiona Gorostiza resurfaces in Texas plus more

MORE VIDEOS
- Meteorologist Orders Staffers to the Basement as Tornado Sweeps Through Tupelo
- Guy's Huge, Stupid Bike Looks Pretty Smart After Flash Flood
- Ouch!
- Houston anchors lose KGW Sunrise playoff bet, go hipster
- Portland anchors agree to friendly wager with KENS 5 for Spurs vs. Trail Blazers series
- Eyewitness News reveals KENS 5 Spurs Desk
- Reporter Gets Stuck in Mud, Rescued by Photographer
- San Antonio Living Image
- WOAI Daytime @ Nine Image Final
- Fox 7 News Spring 2014 image spot
- What Do Young Viewers Want from TV News?

Fresh face to grace new KSAT hour
Fiona Gorostiza, formerly a weathercaster and feature reporter Dallas' KDFW, joins KSAT San Antonio as a new lifestyle show host.

Former Fox4 weathercasters Ron Jackson's new gig
He's hitting the radio.

Last whiffs of CW33's Nightcap, with remaining on-air talent let go in preparaton for NewsFix
Tribune-owned, Dallas-based CW33 has taken some of its final steps toward implementing the narrator-driven NewsFix.

KDFW Dallas Earns A Spot In Guinness Book of Records
KDFW, the Fox affiliate in Dallas-Fort Worth market, and its partners, Comerica Bank and Iron Mountain, won the Guinness World Record for Most Paper Collected in a 24-Hour Period.

Jenny Doren joins WFAA-TV
Jenny Doren has been hired as a digital journalist at WFAA. She comes from WJLA-TV and Newschannel 8 (ABC) in Washington, D.C.

Michigan judge issues new arrest warrant for WFAA8 anchor Shon Gables, with bond now set at $100,000
The price on her head keeps getting higher for WFAA8 anchor-reporter and fugitive Shon Gables.

Judge declares mistrial in DJ rape case
A judge declared a mistrial Friday in the case of a Dallas radio disc jockey accused of raping a 14-year-old girl.
- Mistrial Declared in Christian DJ Rape Case

Dallas Morning News Revamps Biz Section
The Dallas Morning News has made extensive changes to the Sunday and weekday print versions of its Business section.

KPRC Local 2 Bill Balleza's twin
Admit it, they do look alike.

Rojas named Univision network correspondent
Univision network is opening a new bureau in McAllen, Texas and Univision 45 KXLN's Pedro Rojas will be its first correspondent.

HISD May Leave City's Public TV Station Amid Fears That Nobody's Watching
What if you put on a show, with heart and soul, with pizzazz, with stretching your declining resources as far as they could go - and nobody showed up to watch it?

Features from the Rice History Corner
Look at the history of Houston broadcasting.

Another S.A. TV exit! Anchor leaving news job
KABB’s lead anchorwoman is leaving her TV news job for both family and career reasons. Cynthia Lee is exiting her second go-round as 9 p.m. news co-anchor on the Fox affiliate.
- News Anchor Cynthia Lee making a career change

KTSA talk host mourns loss of his son
Longtime San Antonio radio personality Trey Ware and his wife Nancy suffered a devastating loss.

We go live to...uhh
We're going to go out on a limb here and predict that there will be at least one less live shot in the KXAN (Austin) newscast for a while.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Texas job changes across the state & the San Antonio shakeup
- KHOU 11 experiences layoffs
- Amy Davis returns to KPRC2
- Stephen Dean exits WRTV 6 Indianapolis
- KPRC ND Deborah Collura leaves for WCNC Charlotte
- KUHF's Carrie Feibel receives regional Edward R. Murrow
- Houston winners in the 2014 Edward R. Murrow Awards

Texas TV news and radio job moves October 2019

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

KXAS NBC 5 anchor Meredith Land will leave the 10 p.m. anchor chair.

Reporter Tim Ciesco leaving NBC5 as 2019 TV newsroom exodus continues.

Gilma Avalos Named WNBC Weekend Evening News Anchor.

FOX 4 KDFW promoted Blake Hanson to weekend evening anchor.

WFAA8 tabs Tashara Parker as Daybreak traffic anchor.

FOX 46 WJZY Charlotte reporter David Sentendrey leaves for FOX 4 KDFW.

DFW sports radio landscapes changes with departure of Ben and Skin from 105.3 The Fan KRLD.

KVIL (ALT 103.7)/Dallas MD Lindsey Martin Exiting November 15th To Join Atlantic Records.

Matt Yurus moves to Phoenix and joins KPNX as weekend anchor and reporter. He leaves KTVT in Dallas where he reported and was the first digital anchor for CBS. - Napoli

- WFAA morning anchors better know how to dance
- NBC 5 KXAS anchor Kris Gutierrez appears on "The Kelly Clarkson Show"


HOUSTON

Ken Hoffman gets up close and really personal with longtime Houston TV anchor Bill Balleza.

KHOU’s Big Lease – Plus a $10 Million Redo – Generates Upswing at Westheimer Office Tower.

San Antonio Express-News reporter Allie Morris will succeed Ryan Poppe on the Houston Chronicle's Texas Take podcast with Scott Braddock of The Quorum Report.

Former KPRC 2 anchor Irika Sargent has Hawaiian wedding.

MIX 96.5 KHMX host Lauren Kelly officially joins the KPRC Houston Life team.

90.1 FM KPFT has been broadcasting from Montrose for half a century.

Talk radio host Rick Kamla leaving SportsRadio 610.

Mike Snyder: I worry about the stories the Chronicle can no longer cover.

Maria Douglas Reeve will become The Houston Chronicle’s managing editor for content on Nov. 12. Mark Lorando, will become managing editor for audience on Oct. 29.

Alex Stuckey joins the Houston Chronicle investigative team.

Radio Ink’s 2019 Radio Wayne Local Sales Manager of The Year, from Cumulus’ KRBE in Houston, Tim Gratzer.

Night Host JC Exits 100.3 KILT The Bull.

Bryan Luhn joins KPRC as Executive Producer of Special Projects and Investigations. He left FOX 26 KRIV earlier this year where he was a senior executive producer.

- Melissa Wilson celebrates 19 years at FOX 26 KRIV
- Cynthia Cisneros announces retirement from abc13 KTRK
- Owen Conflenti is ruling TikTok
- Dominique Sachse celebrates 1 million subscribers with TODAY Show appearance
- Lizzo is a Houston success story!
- Dominique Sachse's Today Show appearance video
- Christine Noël engaged
- MaryAnn Martinez joins KPRC 2
- Houston TV stars support Crime Stoppers
- Chelsea Edwards joins FOX 26 KRIV
- Caitlin “CJ” Johnson joins The New 93Q KKBQ
- Chelsey Hernandez is engaged
- John Hannon named President and General Manager of Univision 45 Houston KXLN
- KPRC legendary anchor Bill Balleza to retire
- Jennifer Reyna is leaving KPRC 2
- Rachel Briers is expecting
- Brhe Berry is pregnant
- Jennifer Reyna breaks silence after leaving KPRC
- Lindsey Henry leaves FOX 26
- Tom Abrahams celebrates 20 years at abc13 KTRK
- Lisa Hernandez has her baby!


SAN ANTONIO

Vanessa Martin will permanently return to the traffic desk for both FOX-29 and WOAI.

KENS 5 reporter Adi Guajardo joins KMGH Denver.

Reporter David Caltabiano leaves WOAI and KABB for KTVK and KPHO Phoenix, AZ.


AUSTIN

Longtime NewsRadio KLBJ afternoon host Jeff Ward gone after 20 years on the air.

Josh French moves to KVUE in a digital position from Tulsa.

- Why is "Adios, Mofo" famous in Texas?


AROUND TEXAS

Joshua Eure joins KXXV Waco, Temple, Killeen as news director.

Alyssa Faykus joins the Brenham Banner Press as a reporter.

Florencia Giménez-Levit returns to Telemundo El Paso as weekday weather anchor.

Joey Carrera moves to KTVK Phoenix as a freelance reporter. Previously, he was weekend anchor and reporter at KVIA in El Paso. - Napoli


REMEMBERING

Country Radio Legend Bob Kingsley Dead at 80.