Janel Forte joins NewsNation

Janel Forte left KHOU 11 to join Nexstar's NewsNation as an Atlanta-based correspondent in spring of 2021.  UPDATE:  In April 2022, Forte announced she has left the news channel. 

UPDATE AUGUST 2023
Janel Forte joins WFAA 8

“The opening of our Atlanta bureau is a strategic step in supporting our mission of bringing Americans fact-based news that represents a full range of perspectives across the nation,” said Susan Tully, Senior Vice President, Local Content Development for Nexstar Media Inc in a release. “Janel is a talented reporter with experience keeping viewers informed about major events happening across the South, and we’re looking forward to putting her on-the-ground reporting skills to work in our new bureau.”

Forte came to Houston's channel 11 as a reporter in 2018 from WLOX Biloxi, MS where she was the weekend morning anchor and and Jackson County bureau chief.

Prior to WLOX, the Cornell University grad and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism master's degree recipient also worked as:

- Medill News Service, Reporter, Washington DC

- Medill Reports, Reporter, Chicago, IL

- Social Justice News Nexus, Graduate Fellow, Chicago, IL

- Newswatch 16 ICTV, Anchor/Reporter, Ithaca, NY

- Fox News KDFW, Intern, Dallas Fort Worth, TX

- The Virginian-Pilot, Intern, Norfolk, VA

Forte is not the only Texan journalist to move up to the NewsNation national news world. Former KVUE 24 Austin met Albert Ramon is the NewsNation chief meteorologist. 

RELATED
Janel Forte loses someone very close to her from COVID-19
Houston TV reporters wearing braids on air
Allison Harris joins NewsNation

(Thanks Ignacio!)

*updated on April 22, 2021 with Susan Tully's quote after Nexstar issued a release on Janel Forte's hiring at the NewsNation Atlanta Bureau

Allison Harris joins NewsNation

Allison Harris, a former reporter for FOX 4 KDFW in Dallas - Fort Worth, has joined the national cable news show NewsNation.  

The native Texan is now the NewsNation DC Correspondent reporting on the White House, Supreme Court and Capitol Hill.

“Allison is a fantastic reporter with great instincts, and I’m looking forward to having her join the team as we build a news bureau based on sound journalism and fearless reporting,” NewsNation Washington Bureau Chief Mike Viqueira said in a Nexstar Media Group press release. “She’ll help us ramp up our efforts to provide viewers with the fact-based information they need to understand what is going on in the U.S. capital during an especially important time in our nation’s history.”

Harris left the FOX owned Dallas station in November of 2020 for Washington DC.

So why did Harris leave Texas TV and move to our nation's capital? 

Well, part of the answer comes from an Instagram post by NBC and MSNBC reporter Garrett Haake who posted in November, "So glad [Allison]’s finally joining me in DC."

Turns out Haake and Harris are a couple. Haake is based out of Washington.

And Houstonians might be interested to know that Haake is a graduate of Klein High School in Houston and SMU.

Harris joined channel 4 Dallas in 2016. 

Prior to KDFW, Harris worked for KOTV 6 Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Her reporting there was honored with a a regional Edward R. Murrow award and an Emmy nomination. While at KOTV, she went live for CBS Evening News.

The McKinney, Texas native started her television news career at KXII Sherman.  

While earning her degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma, Harris was named the top collegiate news anchor in the country by the Broadcast Education Association.  She also studied journalism in London and Paris at CNN International, Sky News, BBC and The Guardian.

Loyal readers of my blog will know that KHOU 11 reporter Janel Forte joined NewsNation in the last month.

KVUE 24 Austin chief meteorologist Albert Ramon left Texas last summer to start NewsNation.

Adam Krueger appearing on NewsNation

Adam Krueger is filling in on NewsNation's "Morning in America" for the next few days, but it's not his first foray into national television.

"It’s an exciting experience," Krueger told mikemcguff.com after his Friday broadcast in Chicago.  "While the venue is different, I’m still doing what I do: talking about the weather while having fun. The staff here has been very supportive. Sneaking words in the weather? No problem! Much like the management at CW39, they welcome the creativity."

Krueger fills in once again for NewsNation Monday morning. 

Fresh Prince in the weather? Challenge accepted! 😎 @NewsNation @newsnationam pic.twitter.com/FHfhHutpHa

— Adam Krueger 💯 (@AdamKrueger) April 21, 2023

As for previous national exposure, after the CW39 Houston KIAH chief meteorologist for "NO WAIT WEATHER + TRAFFIC" got a shoutout from Snoop Dogg for sneaking his lyrics into the forecast,  Krueger was featured on CBS' "The Talk." 

Krueger started his "Sneaking words in the weather" TikTok challenge, where he asks the audience for lyric suggestions to slip into a weathercast, and it has had a "probability" of 100% virality!   

Clearly KIAH's Nexstar Media Group sister network noticed and now he's in Chicago going coast to coast.

Now this is not his first cable experience, as Krueger joined CW39 from Spectrum News in 2020.

You don't see Houston TV meteorologists get a chance to fill-in on national programming often, but it has happened once before that I can remember. 

Former abc13 KTRK morning meteorologist and current city council candidate Casey Curry filled in on ABC's Good Morning America in 2011.

RELATED
CW39 Houston rated most accurate forecast by WeatheRate

Xavier Walton joins NewsNation

Xavier Walton left KHOU 11 Houston's weekend anchor position a few weeks ago and has already moved to Florida to join cable newser NewsNation as a Miami-based correspondent.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2022
Xavier Walton and Eden Checkol are engaged

Here is what Walton posted on social media:

"These last few weeks I’ve actually missed telling stories & covering news. Way more than expected! 

With that said, I’m getting back to work. This time around I’ll be taking on a new challenge. I’ve joined the team at @newsnationnow as a Miami-based correspondent. 

I’ve been in Chicago the last few days doing onboarding and getting to know some of my new coworkers. 

Excited for this new chapter & bringing an attitude of gratitude. Sky’s the limit"

And he is not the only former KHOU talent who joined the Nexstar Media Group channel.  Reporter Janel Forte signed on as NewsNation's Atlanta-based correspondent in spring of 2021. She left the Chicago-based cable news network in April 2022. 

Walton is now in the same city as his girlfriend WPLG Local 10 anchor Eden Checkol.

Joining KHOU 11 in September 2019 as an #HTownRush morning anchor, Walton moved to the weekend evening anchor/10pm weekday reporter shift in June 2021 when Kimberly Davis was hired.

He came from the weekend anchor/MMJ role at TEGNA sister-station WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina.

The native Californian graduated from California Lutheran University and got his first TV gig with KTWO 2 Casper, Wyoming where he was an evening anchor/reporter.

Alex Caprariello leaves KXAN for NewsNation

Alex Caprariello, KXAN Austin's lead education reporter, is heading to Los Angeles to work for Nexstar's (KXAN owner) NewsNation. 

Here is what he tweeted:

"The last few years at @KXAN_News have been so special to me. I got the chance to work with incredibly talented and respected journalists in what could be the best city in America. But the time has come for me to move on.

I feel like I’ve covered everything! From hurricanes, to police protests, to navigating school safely during a global pandemic. I know I’m moving forward in my career with real, gritty experience — exactly what I was looking for when I first joined this shop years ago.

It is that exact experience that gives me confidence to move forward to an even larger stage. In two weeks, I’ll be moving to Los Angeles to work for News Nation, a national cable network. I’ll be a West Coast correspondent, covering breaking news along the entire coast.

I owe thank yous to so many people. To my KXAN managers, colleagues & friends. To my supportive partner, Sarah, who will be joining me in LA. And to the amazing city of Austin: thank you for letting me share your stories. It’s been an honor to call this place home. I’ll be back!"

Caprariello, who joined KXAN in 2018, previously worked for KNWA/KFTA Fayetteville, Arkansas as a weekend anchor, senior reporter and producer.

The Arizona State University grad also earned a master’s degree in Journalism from the school's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Other Texas TV journalists who have left the Lone Star State for NewsNation include KVUE Austin's Albert Ramon, FOX 4 KDFW's Allison Harris and KHOU 11's Janel Forte.

Bill Nardi named Nexstar VP of Station Operations

IRVING, TX (May 7, 2025) — Nexstar Media Group, Inc., today announced the appointment of Bill Nardi as Vice President of Station Operations, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day broadcast operations of the company’s more than 200 owned and partner local television stations across the country and helping to assist with projects supporting The CW Network, NewsNation, Antenna TV and Rewind TV. 

 Mr. Nardi succeeds Mark Turner, who is retiring from Nexstar on July 1, concluding a distinguished career of more than 35 years in broadcast television operations.  Mr. Nardi will begin his new duties on May 12, and report to Blake Russell, Nexstar’s Executive Vice President of Operations.

“Mark’s contributions to Nexstar over the years cannot be overstated,” said Mr. Russell.  “He was instrumental in the technical development, construction and roll out of NewsNation, as well as the hub for our Washington, D.C., bureau including NewsNation, The Hill, and our local stations in the nation’s capital.  He has helped flawlessly execute the expansion of Nexstar’s station group and broadcast operating centers and consistently delivered projects on time and on budget.  We will miss Mark.”

Mr. Nardi brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience to his new role at Nexstar, serving most recently as Vice President, Station Operations for TEGNA Inc., where he oversaw operations and engineering for the company’s 64 television stations and its streaming platforms.  He also helped build and lead the physical safety and security program for the company, including the creation of a variety of disaster recovery plans.

“Bill is the ideal candidate to succeed Mark and will build upon everything he has done for Nexstar,” said Mr. Russell.  “Bill is talented, innovative, and tremendously experienced in managing large-scale broadcast operations, coordinating and executing live coverage of major news and sporting events, and working with national television networks.”

Prior to his work with TEGNA, Mr. Nardi served as Vice President, Broadcast Operations and Global Support for Dejero Labs Inc., in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where he oversaw sales support, technical operations, and product development and integration.  Mr. Nardi joined Dejero after eight years as Director of Technology and Broadcast Operations for WRC-TV (NBC) in Washington, D.C.

“I’m looking forward to joining a company that is on the cutting edge of developing and utilizing new broadcast and digital technology to improve operations and enhance the viewing experience across its local TV stations, national networks, and online platforms,” said Mr. Nardi.  “Mark Turner has left me with some big shoes to fill, and I am grateful for the opportunity to succeed him.”

Mr. Nardi earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from The University of Phoenix.  He will be relocating to the Dallas area, and based at Nexstar’s corporate headquarters in Irving, Texas.

(Taken from a press release)

Adam Krueger to leave CW39 Houston for Los Angeles

Adam Krueger announced he is leaving this CW39 Houston KIAH chief meteorologist morning position in late August 2024.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2024
Jonthan Novack talks to Mike McGuff about return to Houston and more

UPDATE 
Adam Krueger joins FOX 11 Los Angeles KTTV starting September 3, 2024, as chief meteorologist for weekday evening newscasts at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. and Good Nite LA at 11 p.m.

"Adam has a wealth of meteorological expertise and the rare ability to deliver the information in an engaging and entertaining manner that makes weather accessible and enjoyable for everyone," KTTV VP-news director Bobbi Gearhart said in a statement.

"Houston, its has been an honor guiding you through some wild weather the last 4 years, with a little fun along the way," Krueger posted in an homage to the final episode of NBC sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.'  "My last day at [CW39 Houston] is August 23rd. Looking forward to announcing what's next!"

Krueger joined CW39 KIAH from Spectrum News Austin and Spectrum News San Antonio in 2020.  

He certainly did not let the fact that he worked for a station that only had a morning newscast stop him from being catapulted into the national zeitgeist.  

Earlier this month, I posted how Krueger was DMing with Usher due to his Sneaking Words in the Weather segment, where he incorporates song lyrics into the weather forecast. He has been featured on The Talk and done a fill-in stint on Nexstar Media Group's sister network, NewsNation.

"It’s an exciting experience," Krueger told mikemcguff.com during his 2023 NewsNation appearances.  "While the venue is different, I’m still doing what I do: talking about the weather while having fun. The staff here has been very supportive. Sneaking words in the weather? No problem! Much like the management at CW39, they welcome the creativity."

In the Usher post, I wrote, "With all of this viral attention, I wonder if CW39 is worried Krueger will be ushered to a new high-profile job?"

Did I call that one, or what?  Let's say I've been around long enough to see viral talent get seen enough to move to bigger markets.

And it's not just Usher.  Krueger also interacted with Snoop Dogg and Slim Thug.  

As for recent CW39 departures, Krueger's exit now means that the station will no longer have any meteorologists left unless they start hiring quickly. 

Meteorologists Carrigan Chauvin and Idolina Perelez are out the door or already gone.

Before Spectrum's cable TV news operation, Krueger was a meteorologist for FOX 29 KABB San Antonio (2006-2008) and KHAS Hastings, Nebraska (2004-2006).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adam Krueger (@weatheradam)

(Thanks Armando!)

* Post updated that Adam Krueger joins FOX 11 Los Angeles KTTV as chief meteorologist.

Texas TV news and radio job moves April 2021

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here. 

WATCH

Best TV News Bloopers April 2021

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Former DFW radio host, accused of sexual assault in March, charged with another sex crime

Lil D Exits KBFB (97.9 The Beat)/Dallas.

Cayman Kelly Becomes Imaging Voice For KKDA (K104)/Dallas & KZCE/Phoenix.

Malini Basu joins WFAA
Allison Harris joins NewsNation
CBS 11 DFW adds two newscasts with Robbie Owens

HOUSTON

Isiah Carey to executive produce new FOX show "Crazy Azz Criminals with Chuey Martinez of "Dish Nation."

Former 100.3 The Bull KILT assistant music director/mid-day host Erin Austin Named New Morning Co-Host At WMC-F (FM100)/Memphis.

Aaron Wilson Fired by Houston Chronicle over Deshaun Watson Radio Comments.

Sports Radio 610 KILT rolls to winter ratings book victory.

Shelby Webb named the renewable energy reporter for the Houston Chronicle.

Former Telemundo Houston anchor Paulina Sodi leaves the Telemundo network's “Un Nuevo Día.” 

Three area TV stations bring West African culture to Houston.

Houston rap legend Bun B launches 'Trill' new show on SiriusXM

Rod Ryan Reunites With Jason Ginty For 'Play Pants' Podcast.

Salem Houston Appoints Darren Ryder As GM As Chuck Jewel Retires.

Janel Forte joins NewsNation
Dayna Steele's "101 Ways to Rock Running for Office"
Quest Houston moves to 55.1 from 11.4 - Twist replaces
Rita Garcia is married
Houston radio stations granting $25K in ads to small biz
Brittany Jeffers has baby #2
Dave Ward launches new video podcast
Lester Holt live in Houston for NBC Nightly News
Houston DJ greats broadcasting with SuiteRadio
Brittany Ford joins KHOU 11
I SEE U with Eddie Robinson to launch on KUHF
Dominique Sachse hair surprise 2021
Rehan Aslam named WABC NY news director

SAN ANTONIO

KENS 5 investigative reporter Mariah Medina joins the San Antonio Police Department.

Cox Media Group has announced the promotion of  Keith Hastings as Director of Operations for its San Antonio cluster.

AUSTIN

KXAN’s Jim Spencer, David Yeomans win big awards from Austin Alliance for Women in Media.

KVUE's Tony Plohetski wins prestigious Hillman Prize for Javier Ambler II reporting.

Lucy 93.3 Austin Adds Ryan Seacrest & Mario Lopez.

David Yeomans in GQ, Jim Spencer on CW's "Walker"

Amanda Dugan is pregnant
Britt Moreno joins KXAN Austin
Luis de Leon joins 9News KUSA Denver

AROUND TEXAS

Chip and Joanna Gaines buying Waco Tribune-Herald building for new Magnolia headquarters.
- VIDEO: Joanna Gaines before HGTV's "Fixer Upper"

KLBK News Lubbock meteorologist Jacob Riley named chief.

Edgardo Sanabria named assistant news director for Telemundo 48 KTDO El Paso.

KPRF Drops A Bomb On Amarillo.

Beloved TV/Radio professor at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi set to retire.

Bill Vessey retires from KIII Corpus Christi
Joe Gazin to retire from KIII Corpus Christi
Taylor Mitchell promoted to KFDA Amarillo weekend anchor
Texas TV journalists remember Branch Davidian raid near Waco
Cameron Venable joins KAKE News from KFDA Amarillo
Katie Orth joins KWGN 2 Denver

REMEMBERING

KAKE Creative Services Director (formerly of KPRC 2) John Sweeney dies unexpectedly at age 45.

Dallas media personality, former FOX 4 weatherperson Jocelyn White dies at age 68.

Dallas-Fort Worth radio market's Bud Eldridge Buschardt Jr. passes away.

Ron Chapman, DFW radio legend, dies at age 85

Texas media job changes moving pretty fast!

In the 1986 film, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the titular character said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

I feel the same about Texas television news and media just in the last few weeks!

So, in case you missed something, let's get the CliffsNotes version.  That should get you past the pop quiz I might spring on you in the coming days. Practice question, "Who is leaving a Texas TV station after starting there in 1978?"

CORPUS CHRISTI

Bill Vessey retires from KIII Corpus Christi

Joe Gazin to retire from KIII Corpus Christi after 50 years in broadcasting

HOUSTON

Katherine Whaley leaves abc13 KTRK

Chelsey Hernandez leaves abc13 KTRK

Telemundo Houston adds Pablo Sánchez and Karina Segovia to weather team

Janel Forte joins NewsNation

Josh Innes is now a classic rock morning show host

Corey Dillon joins The New 93Q KKBQ

DALLAS - FORT WORTH METROPLEX

Peyton Yager joins FOX 4 KDFW

Malini Basu joins WFAA

Allison Harris joins NewsNation

AUSTIN

Mike Rush exits KVUE Austin

Kristie Gonzales promoted to KYTX and KVUE

SAN ANTONIO

Evan Closky joins 10 Tampa Bay WTSP

Texas Governor’s Debate September 30th at 7pm

Debate Will be the Only Face-to-Face Meeting Between Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke

Live Statewide Debate Coverage Will Reach More Than Twelve Million Viewers

IRVING, TX (September 20, 2022) – Nexstar Media Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST), announced today that it will host a multi-market live telecast of a debate between the candidates for Texas Governor, Republican incumbent Greg Abbott and Democrat Beto O’Rourke. 

The debate is the only scheduled face-to-face meeting between the two candidates. “YOUR LOCAL ELECTION HEADQUARTERS: TEXAS GOVERNOR’S DEBATE” will take place on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at 7 p.m. CT, at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus in Edinburg, TX. The debate will be telecast throughout the state and on Nexstar’s national cable news network, NewsNation.

Produced by KXAN-TV (Austin) and KVEO-TV (Harlingen), the hour-long debate will be available via broadcast or digital live stream in every county of the state, potentially bringing together 12 million viewers across Texas. The debate will air on local Nexstar television stations serving 14 markets across Texas, including KDAF-TV in Dallas/Ft. Worth, KIAH-TV in Houston, KTSM-TV in El Paso, KMID-TV in Midland/Odessa, KAMC-TV in Lubbock, KAMR-TV in Amarillo, KSAN-TV in San Angelo, KRBC-TV in Abilene, KFDX-TV in Wichita Falls, KETK-TV in Tyler/Longview, KWKT-TV in Waco/Temple/Bryan, KXAN-TV in Austin, KTAL-TV in Texarkana, and KVEO-TV in Harlingen/Weslaco/Brownsville/McAllen. Nexstar is partnering with Graham Media’s KSAT-TV in San Antonio to make the debate available in the state’s third largest market (see table below for more information). In addition, radio stations throughout the country will be provided free access to the debate.

The debate will be hosted by KXAN-TV News anchor Britt Moreno and feature questions from a panel of journalists, including Sally Hernandez of KXAN-TV, Gromer Jeffers of The Dallas Morning News, and Steve Spriester of KSAT-TV San Antonio. 

The panel will pose questions to each candidate, including several submitted from voters in advance, focused on such topics as immigration, gun violence, and abortion rights.

In addition, a group of undecided voters in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area will watch the debate as it happens and give real-time feedback on candidates’ responses, which viewers will be able to see live on the websites of all Nexstar stations serving Texas.

The election for Texas Governor will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Voters must register to vote by Tuesday, October 11th. To register to vote, please visit: https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to- vote/. For more information regarding the upcoming elections, including early voting dates, polling locations and voter identification requirements please visit:   https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqvr.shtml.

(This post was taken from a release)

Grace Thornton joins KVUE Austin

Grace Thornton joined the KVUE 24 Austin weather department from WMBB News 13 Panama City, Florida.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2026
Grace Thornton leaves KVUE Austin

Thornton is the KVUE weekend morning and mid-day meteorologist.

Here is what the Austin TV meteorologist posted on social media:

"New year, big changes! I am just about the happiest person alive to announce that I’ll be headed to Austin, Texas as a full time meteorologist for KVUE.

My last day at at WMBB News 13 will be this upcoming Sunday January 8th, but luckily you guys get to watch me all week long since Ross [Whitley] is on vacation!"

Thornton was with WMBB since March 2021 as the weekend meteorologist. She previously worked as an operational meteorologist for a non-broadcasting company called Maxar Technologies.

The Salisbury University grad interned with WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore, Maryland.

While we're talking KVUE, news director Christina Ginn has left to become Primetime Executive Producer for cable news channel NewsNation.  Ginn previously worked for CNN and NBC.

Xavier Walton joins KHOU as morning anchor; Lisa Hernandez moves

Xavier Walton joins KHOU as morning anchor from WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina; Lisa Hernandez moves to weekend evenings

KHOU 11 has hired WCNC (TEGNA) Charlotte, North Carolina, weekend anchor Xavier Walton as its new #HTownRush morning anchor.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022
Xavier Walton joins NewsNation

UPDATE AUGUST 31, 2022
Xavier Walton leaves KHOU 11

"We are excited to have him on board," KHOU president and general manager, Robert Springer, told mikemcguff.com.

Springer adds that Walton wants to move to Houston, to not only report the news, but also to make it a better place to live through his community involvement.

Here is Walton's TV news career highlight reel:

WCNC Charlotte, North Carolina Area
Anchor/ Multimedia Journalist
June 2015 – 2019

KTWO Casper, Wyoming Area
Evening Anchor/Reporter
June 2012 – June 2015

KUSA Denver
News Intern
June 2011 – August 2011

WSYX-ABC6 Columbus, Ohio
Intern
June 2010 – August 2010

According to his bio, Walton graduated from California Lutheran University and even played on the basketball team. He was the starting point-guard three out of the four years he played.

Walton will join the Houston CBS affiliate in mid-September.


When I keep writing about the name "Walton" in connection with the KHOU morning show, it takes me back to the days when Johnathan Walton worked those hours!

With the new Walton's arrival, comes the move of current #HTownRush anchor Lisa Hernandez.

Hernandez will be moving to weekend evenings alongside Ron Trevino who currently anchors alone in that time slot. Trevino will continue to solo anchor the Saturday morning news.

Springer tells me the station is working to expand its weekend coverage with Hernandez's addition.

In 2011, Hernandez arrived to channel 11 and Houston from abc7 KABC Los Angeles to replace Lucy Noland on the evening shift.

She might be in TV now, but Hernandez started freelancing for the LA Times while earning a political science degree at UCLA. Upon graduation in 2001, she refocused her career on TV news starting at KESQ Palm Springs. From there she went across the country to Charlotte, North Carolina's News 14 as a reporter and then returning to California joining KABC in 2004.

In 2016, Hernandez swapped the PM shift for the AM hours and became the station's morning anchor, replacing Lily Jang, with newly hired Russ Lewis who came from KGW Portland.

A few months ago in early June, Lewis left mornings for KHOU's revamped 4pm newscast.

Adam Krueger takes TikTok by storm and now its spreading

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adam Krueger (@weatheradam)

Adam Krueger is taking TikTok by storm (get it...he's a meteorologist) with his CW39 KIAH Houston's "NO WAIT WEATHER + TRAFFIC" morning weather forecasts.

UPDATE APRIL 2023
Adam Krueger appearing on NewsNation

UPDATE MARCH 2023
Adam Krueger gets Snoop Dogg shout out, appears on "The Talk"

Krueger takes song requests from his followers and slips lyrics into his on-air weather forecasts.  The sneaking words in the weather practice has earned the chief meteorologist millions of views. 

Recently he's worked in song lyrics from DMX, The Weeknd, Tupac, Will Smith, Drake, Imagine Dragons and Taylor Swift next to topics I would guess range from adiabatic cooling to zonal flows.

In fact, the trend has even spread to KSAT 12 San Antonio Sarah Spivey's weather forecasts.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sarah Spivey (@sarah__spivey)

"The challenge that I put on myself is to sneak it in there, where if you were watching for the most part, you probably wouldn't even notice that I'm referencing something unless you know that I'm trying," Krueger told Chron.com Trending News Reporter Ariana Garcia.  "I even have people saying they look forward to this every single day or this is one of their favorite things on TikTok and they can't wait to see what the next one is. So I'm trying to make those people happy too." 

I'm officially too old to be on TikTok, so soon I will have to stop writing this blog.  How will I cover local Texas news if I'm not on TikTok?  It's the latest thing the big TV companies are chasing for the younger crowd.

"This is the end / Beautiful friend / This is the end / My only friend, the end."  This is me working song lyrics into this very posts. 

True story...years ago I worked Pearl Jam lyrics into a blog post and got a very mean phone call from someone in the media.  Was it related? 

And here I thought the Houston TV TikTok war would be between FOX 26 newcomer Caroline Collins and KPRC 2 morning anchor Owen Conflenti.  Add Krueger in too (and more anchors on the way I'm sure before the Feds and states reach their apparent goal of killing the social media company). 

Krueger took over at CW39 Houston for Maria Sotolongo back in 2020.

Andy “Riggs” Riggle and Erica Rico of the 93QMorning Show KKBQ Houston interview Krueger below about how many Houston TikTok followers he has. Katelyn Maida is on maternity leave.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 93Q Houston (@93qhouston)

Nexstar and Dish Network make Christmas agreement

 

Nexstar’s 164 Local TV Stations and Cable Network, WGN America, have been restored to Dish Network.

I joked last week that the TEGNA the DirecTV/U-Verse agreement was a Christmas miracle, but then the Nexstar vs Dish Network deal was actually on Christmas Day!

Here is more from the Nextar release:

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) (“Nexstar”), today announced that it has reached a comprehensive multi-year distribution agreement with DISH Network. The agreement restores Nexstar’s 164 local television stations across the country and Nexstar’s wholly-owned cable network, WGN America, to DISH Network’s programming line-up. WGN America will also launch on DISH’s streaming service, Sling TV, in early 2021. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The agreement means that more than 5 million DISH subscribers will again have access to the highly-rated network and local entertainment, sports, and news programming provided by Nexstar television stations and by WGN America, home of the country’s only live prime-time national newscast, NewsNation.

During the last three months, Nexstar successfully completed more than 250 distribution agreements with its satellite, cable, telco, and streaming partners. Combined with similar agreements reached with other providers in 2019, Nexstar now has long-term visibility regarding future retransmission and carriage fees covering 90% of the company’s footprint through 2022.

Nexstar’s local television stations and WGN America had been off DISH Network’s satellite system since Dec. 2. We regret the inconvenience experienced by our viewers and look forward to again providing them with leading network and local programming.

Nexstar, which is based in Texas, owns the following stations in the Lone Star State - KDAF-TV (CW) in Dallas, KIAH-TV (CW) in Houston, KXAN-TV (NBC) in Austin, KWKT-TV (FOX) in Waco, KVEO-TV/SVEO-TV (NBC/CBS) in Harlingen/Brownsville, KTAL-TV (NBC) in Shreveport, LA, KTSM-TV (NBC) in El Paso, KETK-TV (NBC) in Tyler, KAMR-TV/KCIT-TV (NBC/FOX) in Amarillo, KLBK-TV/KAMC-TV (CBS/ABC) in Lubbock, KMID-TV (ABC) in Midland/Odessa, KFDX-TV (NBC) in Wichita Falls, KTAB-TV (CBS) in Abilene, and KSAN-TV (NBC) in San Angelo.

RELATED
‘Lone Star NYE 2021’ to broadcast across Texas TV

Texas TV news and radio job moves September 2022

2022 Lone Star EMMY Nominations
Best TV News Bloopers September 2022

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

“97.1 The Eagle” KEGL entered stunt mode for "freak" flip. 

Kelly Kibler departs iHeartMedia DFW.

KEGL & KZPS/Dallas PD Don Davis Exits.

KERA, Denton Record-Chronicle announce plans for KERA to acquire newspaper.

Marcus Moore named ABC News London based correspondent
David Finfrock lessens NBC DFW schedule
Adrienne Vonn joins NBC 5 KXAS DFW
Anne Elise Parks leaves CBS 11 DFW KTVT
Ryan Fox re-joins 99.5 The Wolf Dallas
Frank Reed to retire from 94.9 KLTY DFW
Scott Keenan named CBS DFW KTVT news director
WFAA Daybreak's version of 'Teenage Dirtbag'
Cricket interrupts FOX 4 KDFW newscast blooper
Analia Fiestas, Carlos Zapata and Karuska Matos named for 'Noticias Telemundo Texas'
Captain Catfish on KFJZ Fort Worth

HOUSTON

FOX 26 KRIV morning anchor Melissa Wilson is awarded the Smart Financial Foundation's "Community Impact Award."

abc13 KTRK President Wendy Granato honored in 2022's Top 30 Influential Women of Houston.

KPRC meteorologist Frank Billingsley lists his Victorian-style home in Galveston for sale.

KPRC 2's Caroline Brown named mid-day meteorologist for Thursday and Fridays.

Matt Thomas re-signs with SportsTalk 790 KBME through 2025.

93Q KKBQ is seeking a new afternoon host as Caitlin ‘CJ’ Johnson has exited the station after three years.

90.1 KPFT settles into a new home near downtown.

90.1 KPFT is making wide ranging changes to its FM and HD2 schedules.

Rosa Flores renews her contract at CNN as a National Correspondent based in Houston.

Houston-based producer Gina Sunseri celebrates 25 years at ABC News. 

KHOU 11 ENG Supervisor Rick Buffolano celebrates 22 years with the TEGNA station.

Former Houston Chronicle editor Nancy Barnes leaves NPR where she has been senior vice president for news and editorial director since 2018.

Houston Chronicle features and health editor Maggie Gordon celebrates 13th anniversary with Hearst.

Sarah Smith re-joins Houston Chronicle as a senior enterprise reporter.

Stephanie Lamm leaves the Houston Chronicle to join Jennifer Peebles at the Atlanta Journal Constitution as data reporter.

Jordan Ray-Hart steps into a new role as the Houston Chronicle's Projects and Innovation Editor.

Houston Chronicle biz reporter Robert Downen joins Texas Tribune.

The Houston Business Journal names Chris Mathews as its new energy reporter.

Houston Business Journal hires Chandler France  to cover money and finance.

David Mackey leaves abc13 KTRK after 24 years.  He served as an editor, then Special Projects Editor, AM Smart Board creator and finished as the Sr Marketing Producer.

Director Deon Williams leaves KHOU 11 for WFAA 8 DFW.

KHOU 11 photographer/editor Kyle Porter leaves for FOX 11 Los Angeles KTTV.

Syndicated ''The Rowdy Ride Home'' Adds 11th Signal.

CarPro is pleased to announce the addition of affiliate relations pro Jim Jones. A leading network radio visionary, Jones has added CarPro to his client base that includes Suite Radio, among others.

FOX 26 debuts "The Nightcap" with Carolina Sanchez
Chita Craft flies on Hurricane Hunter mission
Lena Maria Arango uses lift in studio to demonstrate storm surge
Remeisha Shade starts at FOX 26 Houston
Katelyn Maida is pregnant
Xavier Walton joins NewsNation
Frank Billingsley celebrates 40 years on air
Vanessa Richardson joins Houston Rockets TV
Telemundo Houston launches 10:30pm newscast
Andy Hudack retires from Houston radio
Houston Life moves back to 1pm
Bryan Harada named 89.3 KSBJ Assistant Program/Music Director
Melanie Lawson celebrates 40 years at abc13 KTRK
Maria Aguilera joins KHOU 11 Houston
Rita Garcia is pregnant
John McClain joins SportsRadio 610 KILT as Senior Texans Columnist
Rachel Briers is expecting baby #2

SAN ANTONIO

Matt Martin exits as President of Austin and San Antonio iHeartMedia.

Maddy Skye Mendoza joins the Axios’ San Antonio team from the Express-News.

Univision flipped “95.1 Latino Mix” to “Amor 95.1.” 

KENS 5 team speaks about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

San Antonio's KSYM Celebrates Two Local Stations' 100th Anniversaries, While Reopening Its Own Studios.

Greg Pollak joins Spectrum News New York
Ashley Parker named KSAT San Antonio general manager
Alanna Sarabia gives birth
Allysa Cole joins KSAT San Antonio
KSAT San Antonio pranked by Texas Bushman

AUSTIN

Madlin Mekelburg joins Bloomberg as Texas legal reporter from the Austin Statesman.

Keri Heath leaves The Galveston Daily News to join the Austin Statesman as K-12 education reporter.

CBS Austin to get new set
Sarah Al-Shaikh joins KXAN Austin
Conner Board joins KING 5 Seattle
Maggie Glynn leaves KXAN Austin
Jala Washington promoted to KXAN weekend mornings
Candy Rodriguez leaves KXAN Austin

AROUND TEXAS

WTAW looks back at 100 years of radio.

Garrett Stone started a new position as Local Sales Manager at KYTX CBS19 Tyler, TX. 

KETK And KLRT Earn Journalism Awards From The Society of Professional Journalists.

Zoe Kurland joins Marfa Public Radio.

Haley Williams moves up to KIII 3 News Corpus Christi Senior Digital Content Producer.

 “Lone Star Sports 920” KQBU El Paso TX has ceased operations.

Power outage affects KTSM-TV broadcasts.

Sharon Maines retires from KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock
Dana Hughey takes leave from CBS19 KYTX Tyler
Justin Dorsey joins KBTX Bryan-College Station
Mark Rowlett explains KTXS Abilene absence
Rocio De La Fe joins CBS 8 KFMB San Diego
KBTX 3 Bryan/College launches "The Three"
Jeremiah Marshall joins CBS 4 RGV
Sonya Hill joins NBC 23 KVEO RGV
Christy Waite joins Fox Carolina
Leigha McNeil joins WWL New Orleans

Tyler Henderson promoted to KTAB Abilene weekend anchor
Jenna Elique joins NewsWest9 KWES
Sarah Alegre joins FOX 5 San Diego
Bayne Froney joins the LEX 18 Lexington, Kentucky

REMEMBERING

San Antonio businessman Lowry Mays dies at 87.

Paul Burka, Texas political journalism titan and “soul” of Texas Monthly newsroom, dies at 80.

90.1 KPFT Houston is saddened to announce the passing of Stuart Snow, once a programmer at the station.