Looks like KPRC Channel 2 is seeing Radar the Weather Dog out the door, but don't worry, he won't end up dumped on HWY 59 says Mike McDaniel of the Houston Chronicle:
Radar the Weather Dog has sniffed out a new job. The Channel 2 mainstay will become the face of the John C. Freeman Weather Museum.
The move means fewer cameos for Radar on KPRC / Channel 2, where he will continue to serve as unofficial ambassador.
"He will no longer appear daily in our newscasts, but he'll continue to represent the station and the weather museum at community events," news director Skip Valet said Wednesday. "Of course, when Radar appears, our cameras will be there with him."
[snip]
"I didn't agree with Radar being on the newscast from the beginning," said Valet, "but that wasn't my call."
There were people who loved the dog and then there were those who hated him. My dentist told me a few years ago that he and his wife loyally flipped over to Channel 2 at 5pm just to see Radar.
Then there are the stories. I'm sure if you work in the media, you've heard some. Like the uncontrollable barking during newscasts! I heard Radar had to be on the 10pm and the morning at one point, so he was at the station overnight. Production assistants had to tend to him and sometimes I heard he just ran around the newsroom.
Then there was the jealousy. One KPRC staffer told me at the height of the Radar's popularity, the anchors were starting to get jealous that the dog was getting more appearance requests than they were!
I'm sure this new arrangement is best for all parties involved.
From 2004 to around 2007, KPRC 2 generated a lot of buzz with an on air talent who had a real nose for the weather. It was a canine named Radar The Weather Dog. In fact the KPRC viewers voted for that name.
Like many segments in TV news, things come to an end and so did the Wheaten terrier mixed-breed's television appearances.
So what happened to Radar The Weather Dog?
According to the online bio of KPRC news director Rick McFarland, Radar went home with him:
Rick has a famous dog that many KPRC Local 2 viewers might recognize. That's right -- Rick adopted Radar the weather dog when his broadcast career ended.
"He is now a very well-behaved family dog. But, he still poses when he sees a camera," Rick said.
I barely remember posting this, but back in 2007 I blogged Radar was to become the face of the John C. Freeman Weather Museum.
KPRC 2 is pleased to announce the addition of Tex to the Houston Life family.
Tex, a 10-week-old male Maltipoo who was adopted from the Houston SPCA, will make his Houston Life debut this Thursday, August 16, at 1PM, and will continue to make regular appearances on Houston Life.
KPRC 2’s addition of a station dog coincides with NBC/Telemundo’s third annual Clear the Shelters initiative taking place this Saturday, August 18, at pet shelters & rescue groups here in Houston and across the nation. On this day, participating animal shelters will offer no-cost or reduced fee adoptions or waived pet spaying and neutering fees.
“We’re proud to welcome Tex to the Houston Life family as a way to advocate for adopting pets from our overcrowded local shelters. We know our viewers will help us make Tex feel right at home as they follow his adventures on Houston Life and on social media,” said KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin.
Tex’s introduction as Houston Life’s mascot follows in the paw prints of Radar the Weather Dog, adopted by KPRC 2 in 2004 from the Houston Humane Society. Following his on-air retirement, Radar remained a member of the KPRC 2 family until his passing in 2016.
While Tex will spend his days running the hallways of the KPRC 2 studios, he will go home nightly with a station employee. Viewers can follow his adventures on HoustonLife.tv, through the Houston Life Facebook page, and using #TVTex.
Dallas’ WRR puts fresh focus on music
One of America’s last remaining commercial classical stations will put a greater focus on the music in 2015 as WRR, Dallas (101.1) will make some changes.
KHOU 11's Lily Jang engaged after fairy tale proposal
It was a typical Friday night for KHOU Ch. 11 morning news anchor Lily Jang and her hunky beau, chef Kevin Bryant of Eleven XI restaurant — until something special happened.
Radar the weather dog has health scare
Houston's favorite dog, Radar, visited the KPRC Local 2 studios with some important news. We wanted to let our viewers know that Radar had a health scare.
From Ali to A.J. Foyt, Dan Lovett’s book tells stories from a life in broadcasting
“Anybody Seen Dan Lovett? Memoirs of a Media Nomad” is an appropriate title for the longtime newsman’s memoirs. Almost a half-century after sharing the set with Dave Ward at KTRK (Channel 13), Lovett, 74, is as likely to be in Africa or New Zealand, working on freelance film projects, as he is enjoying an active retirement at his Houston home.
Hilarious Engagement Photo Is Worth More Than A Thousand Words!
Lauren, a popular disc jockey on Mix 96.5 KHMX, is the oldest daughter and happily unmarried at age 32. She is the one on the right, drinking champagne. Her sisters from left to right are Melanie, Melissa, and Amy, all engaged or married. Also, Lauren has accepted the nomination for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year. (Thanks to PR Fairy @farbulous)
WOAI Gives New Contract To Joe 'Pags' Pagliarulo
iHEARTMEDIA News WOAI-A/SAN ANTONIO has agreed to a new contract with JOE “PAGS” PAGLIARULO. PAGLIARULO hosts “The JOE PAGS Show” weekdays, 5–8p (CT).
Patrick Crawford back home and on the mend
KCEN Meteorologist Patrick Crawford is out of the hospital and home with family more than a week after he was shot in the parking lot of the KCEN studios.
The Washington Post and The Texas Tribune announce new partnership
Beginning in 2015, The Washington Post will enter an exciting new partnership with The Texas Tribune, which will include shared editorial content, collaboration on events and more. The Texas Tribune will also join the more than 220 newspapers currently participating in The Post’s digital partner program, offering their subscribers 52 weeks of free and unlimited digital access to The Washington Post.
Remembering KPRC's Ray Sletner
You may not have known him, but you knew his work. For two decades, Ray Sletner was the "man behind the sound" at Local 2.
There Was a Dick Pic on WFAA's Homepage This Morning (NSFW)
WFAA "share" is a community engagement tool that allows users of the ABC affiliate's website to upload their photos and videos to potentially be featured on an image carousel on the station's homepage. Tuesday morning, right there on WFAA's front page, just above Dale Hansen's frowning mug, it featured a big, hairy dick.
Behind A.H. Belo's Buying Spree
Having purchased three marketing companies in January, A.H. Belo, owner of The Dallas Morning News, is making further steps to reduce its reliance on print advertising.
Radar the weather dog gets ready for surgery
Radar the weather dog is a Houston favorite and part of our Local 2 family. And you may remember back in December, we shared Radar's health scare with viewers after his groomer found a growth on his toe. The growth is cancerous and now Radar is set for surgery to have it removed.
Manor of Speaking
Houston Public Media's Manor of Speaking will be airing across the country starting this weekend - the following is just a partial list... (If your city is not listed, contact your local PBS station - and you can find them at PBS.org). [Thanks Thanks to PR Fairy @farbulous]
Houston bloggers go undercover as secret diners for Best New Restaurant reality TV show
Two popular Houston bloggers will be making a star turn into the upcoming reality show Best New Restaurant. When the show debuts on Bravo Jan. 21 at 9 p.m., look for, the dynamic duo behind Urban Swank, in their role as "Undercover Diners" at four Austin restaurants. [Thanks Thanks to PR Fairy @farbulous]
Bill Schoening named Texas Sportscaster of the Year
The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association has announced WOAI's Spurs play-by-play announcer Bill Schoening has been named Texas Sportscaster of the Year.
In key demo, KXAN’s evening newscasts rank No. 1
New demographic data shows Austin NBC affiliate KXAN is the station of choice among evening news viewers in the age bracket advertisers covet most.
Recovering KCEN met starts doing weather online
KCEN Weather Anchor Patrick Crawford has been off the air since getting gunned down in the station's parking lot. But, now that Crawford is home from the hospital and recovering, he is slowly getting back into is weatherman role.
Star Tribune Business Editor Todd Stone announced he will be joining the Houston Chronicle as Deputy Managing Editor for business and sports in early March.
Longtime KFDM news director to leave
DAVID LOWELL is leaving KFDM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Beaumont, TX, at the end of the week. He’s been the news director here for 28 years, and at the station (in his second stint there) for 34 years.
KENS 5 San Antonio news director leaves
TRISTON SANDERS is departing Gannett owned KENS 5 after two years as ND. She’s moving to New York, where she will work as a consultant for Frank N. Magid Associates.
Johnnie Chuoke, San Antonio's 'Happy Handyman' Dies at 84
Johnnie Chuoke, whose hearty laugh and catch phrase 'its a great day to paint' helped San Antonians fix their decks and caulk their bath tubs for twenty years as WOAI's Happy Handyman' has died at the age of 84.
I can still remember sitting in my grandmother's living room watching her TV friends Ron Stone and Doug Johnson on the "Scene at 5" just having a friendly conversation on the channel 2 newscast. Years later, I watched a clip of those two again and it was amazing how effortless they made it look compared to today's more scripted fare.
I would guess that was the appeal of Johnson, he really was like someone you knew in real life. He also helped pioneer television news while covering some dangerous Houston weather.
Johnson was also a fixture on 950 KPRC AM when the Hobby family owned both the television and radio stations, probably only making him more popular with Houstonians.
According to the Liberty County Vindicator newspaper, Johnson was born in the Houston Heights and was a fifth generation Texan. He attended Reagan High School, TCU, Alaska Baptist University and Alaska University.
His first radio job was at KBYR Anchorage, Alaska. He joined KPRC in 1962 and remained on the NBC affiliate until 1994.
Johnson returned to Houston morning TV after KPRC on what was at the time KNWS 51.
In KPRC's excellent story on Johnson's life, the station featured the infamous clip of Wilma the Weather Chicken. Yes, there was a chicken before Radar the Weather Dog.
Johnson told Ernie Manouse on A Conversation on Houston Classic TV on Houston Public Media TV 8 KUHT in 2012 all about the clip which I have transcribed below.
"Ron Stone thought of millions of things over the years that would make my life miserable. And he always thought I needed help with the weather and Wilma the Weather Chicken was one of his inventions," "He presented it to me on the five o'clock show. And he told me to open up the lid, take the chicken out, and it would peck food from the bowl indicating the weather for the next day. We had a bowl called 'partly cloudy,' one called 'cloudy,' and one called 'clear.' So I reach in to grab the chicken, and I've seen chickens before, I had spent some time on the farm up in Franklin, TX, but I had never seen a chicken like this one before. It looked more like the cross between a buzzard and a dove. And it bit me as I was taking it out. And I enjoy sympathy so I wore a big bandage to work the next day. Anyway I set the chicken down and it took off. It didn't peck from any of the bowls, but flew up into the rafters after it landed on Bill Worrell's desk and defecated. But it stayed into the rafters for probably a week until they hired a wrangler to come out and get it."
WFAA beats KTVT in 10 p.m. news slot
WFAA/Channel 8 edged out KTVT/Channel 11 for a win in the 10 p.m. news race during the November sweeps period, which began Oct. 27 and ended Wednesday.
Anchor Lily Jang leaving KCPQ for Houston
Lily Jang, an anchor at Seattle Fox-affiliate KCPQ, is leaving the station after seven years. She's moving to Houston to take care of her parents but could we see her on Houston TV? Inquiring minds want to know.
Ursula Pari Shifting to Earlier Newscasts on KSAT
Ursula Pari, an evening anchor on San Antonio ABC-affiliate KSAT, is making the move from anchoring the 10 p.m. newscast to anchoring the 4, 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts in order to spend more time with her kids.
Crane's era begins as Hamilton's winds down
David Barron reports Milo Hamilton's 28th season with the Astros and 57th behind an MLB microphone conceivably will be his last.
'Luck' led journalist to exclusive on JFK assassination film
WFAA also played a role in the world seeing the Zapruder film. It was a Channel 8 employee who contacted the local Kodak film processing center to get the film developed in the hours following the assassination.
KXXV's Seth Kovar joining WDBJ
Seth Kovar debuted as WDBJ‘s new morning anchor on Monday. Kovar comes to WDBJ from KXXV in Waco, where he also worked as a morning anchor.
EVENTS
- Join Houston SPJ Dec. 1 for program on blogging in Houston with Mike McGuff [more]
- Come celebrate Texas Watchdog with Mike McGuff Dec. 3 [more]
The appearance of KPRC's "Radar the Weather Dog" had a big impact on Houston television...it seemed to inspire the comedians at the other Houston TV stations .
Channel 13 had Doppler the Weather ChiaPet.
And then KRIV Fox 26 made this very funny promo. I never saw this on the air, but I found it on Google Video of all places. They take the "Radar" concept and neuter it with "Mr. Jingles."
Funny stuff.
Speaking of channel 26, they are getting a new web site reports The Insite. Let's see how they are doing:
Where’s My Carol Burnett?
Carol Burnett & Friends on MeTV/KTXA 21.2 - why it is not being shown locally even though there are promotional spots airing?
Tricks of the Trade
Houston TV anchors and hosts reveal beauty secrets on how to look your best — on camera or off.
"Que Te Perdone Dios" wins
The premiere of Univision's new Novela, "Que Te Perdone Dios," racked in 4 million total viewers and outperformed all English and Spanish language stations with key demos across several markets including Houston in that time period on KXLN.
The rarely seen Kitirik photo
Kitirik, Channel 13's black cat mascot, is shown here riding the baggage chute into the plane she took off in this morning from the Houston International Airport.
Fox O&Os Game For Latest Diginet: Buzzr TV
Buzzr TV will showcase FremantleMedia’s library of game show content in all 17 Fox O&O markets, including nine out of the top 10, and 14 out of the top 20 DMAs.
And The Authors Are…
A couple of weeks ago Tom Abrahams revealed his new project; a pair of post-apocalyptic novellas set in the world of author Steven Konkoly’s The Perseid Collapse series. It launches February 3rd, exclusively in Amazon’s Kindle Worlds.
S.A. TV pioneer getting major arts award
San Antonio’s Spanish-language TV trailblazer Emilio Nicolas Sr., who founded the network that became Univision, are among amazing and talented Texans in the arts who will be honored at next month’s prestigious 2015 Texas Medal of Arts Awards.
Emmis Asks FCC For KROX Signal Boost
EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS is asking the FCC to sign off on the relocation of one of its antennas to boost the signal Alternative KROX.
New Valley TV news set
KGBT Action 4 News for the Rio Grande Valley is getting a new set.
Houstonian on Steve Harvey airing on FOX 26 KRIV
Serena Gordillo, a 34 year old banker from Houston, TX will be a guest on “Steve Harvey,” in the episode airing Friday, January 23. Serena turned to Steve for help in turning her dating life around. Serena gets a BIG surprise on the show, when Steve reveals that her sorority sisters, family members and even her pastor are all there to help crowd source her next date! They get to ask questions to three potential bachelors and will make the final decision as to which one she will go on a date with! Tune-in to see if her friends and family end up choosing the right bachelor for Serena!
Locally, “Steve Harvey” can be seen on FOX 26 (KRIV), weekdays at 3:00PM. Check local listings or go to http://www.steveharveytv.com/ for time and channel in other markets.
NEW TV #CASTING: Cash In Your Life
A new television series is seeking out couples and families for a chance to cash in their lives for a fresh start! Have you always wondered, what if? What if you had followed your dreams? What if you no longer had the job you don't love? Maybe your real calling is to open up a bed & breakfast, a boutique, or run a yacht charter. Whatever your dream may be, we are ready to pull out the stops, appraise your life, and offer you a check to cash in and start the life you have always wanted.
Doron Ofir Casting is on a nationwide search for couples that are tired of being in the same old rut, with the same old job and want to find out what their lives are really worth!
If you are finally ready to roll the dice and turn your fantasy into reality then apply now at: www.cashinyourlifecasting.com
MOVING
Longtime KTRK abc13 engineer Tom Kline is now the FM Chief Engineer for Clear Channel IHeartMedia Houston handling all five FM station’s studio and transmitter facilities.
Rick McFarland has worn many hats at KPRC 2 in his three plus decades with the station. Last Friday, just before Christmas, he pulled the curtain on his career with the NBC affiliate as he officially retired.
From sports photographer to news director and as of late senior executive producer, the longtime news department employee has helped usher channel 2 into the 21st century.
"The technology has changed so much," McFarland told mikemcguff.com. "News gathering is still news gathering. You still want to get your facts right. You want to be first, but you want to be right. It doesn't matter if you are first, if you are wrong."
The equipment certainly has improved since McFarland was a recent University of Missouri graduate in the early 1970s.
As a WTVH Syracuse photographer and one man band, McFarland was one of the early users of the RCA TK-76 camera.
The state of the art equipment, replaced film cameras and weighed nearly 30 pounds. On top of that you still needed the 3/4-inch U-Matic cassette recorder that attached to the camera. The recorder weighed another 30 pounds. And forget about blending in with the crowd. The camera was gigantic and bright blue in color.
It was in Syracuse that McFarland had his first live truck experience. There were no cell phones or portable TVs to know when you were live on the air. You just got a "go" to start your live report from the station on a two-way radio.
At end of the decade, McFarland arrived to Houston at KHOU 11. There he shot stories for the likes of reporter Bill Balleza.
In June of 1980, McFarland moved across the street to channel 2 where Balleza would later join him just months later in August.
Once at KPRC, McFarland moved exclusively to sports in his early tenure with the station.
He still has vivid memories of shooting Houston Astros games through the plexiglass windows at the Astrodome.
"Nolan Ryan's fast ball was amazing, but what was really impressive was the curve ball," observed McFarland.
When McFarland arrived at the recently built KPRC studios on the Southwest Freeway, the Hobby family owned the station. He says this legendary Houston family spared no expense when it came to its TV station.
"It was an amazing building at the time," he recalled. "We had the first Ampex Digital Optics (ADO) in the country."
That meant the station could do those new fancy page turn effects from one video to the next. Hardly any TV news departments could do that at the time he added.
He said KPRC was also one of the first stations that had the equipment to edit a video in a live truck instead of having to drive back to the station and do it there.
Being such a pioneering station, KPRC's national reputation even saved McFarland from technical trouble.
"Once at an Oilers game, I had camera issues," recalled McFarland. "I started asking the NBC guys who were televising the game, for help. They fixed it quickly. When I asked where to send money for payment repairs, NBC said, 'You are from KPRC, they've done us a lot of favors, it's no charge.'"
From sports to news, McFarland continued to rise through the ranks of the news department.
Once Post-Newsweek Stations (now the Graham Media Group) bought the television station from the Hobby family, McFarland became assistant news director and eventually news director.
In his last years, you may know that McFarland became the senior executive producer of the station. What you might not realize is he became a caretaker to a famous station on air talent.
From the highs of a Super Bowl showdown in Houston and an Astros World Series, to the lows of Hurricane Harvey's fury, McFarland had quite a last year in the journalism world.
So as the pressures of breaking news, sweeps, endless planning meetings and everything else melts away with retirement, McFarland's thoughts will be with the folks he spent the time with in the news trenches covering stories that affected Houston viewers.
"I'll miss the team members I worked with," McFarland told me. "You want to do something magnificent, and the magnificent thing I got to do was work with these people. These are just the greatest people. People don't realize the struggle and the stress."
Playboy channel — for the blind
AP covered a story about how 107.5 The Eagle's Suzi Hanks of the Dean and Rog Show reads Playboy at Taping For The Blind Inc. in Houston.
Jimmy Johnson talks about surviving his favorite show after getting cut twice
Once, twice, three times a Survivor applicant, former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson at last got what he wanted -- a chance to spend sleepless, shivering nights in the rain on a bamboo bed amid lush but primitive surroundings.
Anchorwoman makes bold impact in new bangs
It's such a strikingly different look for KENS anchorwoman Karen Grace that viewers already have raced to react.She's now wearing bangs - not the wispy variety that Deborah Knapp sports - but the long, full, across-the forehead kind.
Big picture galleries gaining acceptance at newspapers
Newspapers around the country embraced the idea of increasing the format size of their photo galleries. The New York Times Lens Blog, Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, and many others started big picture galleries.
TV photogs behind the hunted
If you're looking for a place to major in cameramanthropology, you'll do no better than your local water park.
From artist to TV news anchor
To most, Lee Sausley is known as the KRIS 6 news anchor who delivers the news to residents at 6 and 10 p.m., but to others he is the artist who painted the still-life photo that decorates their living room walls.
Mark Baker, Longtime Panhandle Broadcaster, Dies At 60
Mark Robertson-Baker (born Terry H. Mesler), 60, of Amarillo died on September 4, 2010, of a spinal cord injury. In 1976, he joined Amarillo's ProNews 7's team of investigative reporters and later worked as a television anchor and news director for KVII, KFDA, KAMR and KACV for more than twenty years.
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.
"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 Stricklandsaid 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.”
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."
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.
A memo sent to KPRC 2 staffers at the beginning of the week details some management changes in the station's news department.
First, assistant news director Rick McFarland is now the senior executive producer in charge of the areas like special assignments, the investigative unit, scheduling and sports.
A spokesperson for KPRC tells mikemcguff.com, "this a great thing for him and the station." In addition he added that McFarland is a big asset to the team, he is well respected and needed in that kind of role.
In January I blogged that McFarland was stepping down from his role as the station's news director. The assistant ND position is the job McFarland held for 10 years until he was upped to news director in 2009. According to his online bio, McFarland started at KPRC in June 1980 in the sports department and has moved up through the years.
Also mentioned in the memo, KPRC News Content Director, Geoff Dankert, who started with the station at the beginning of the summer has resigned. Dankert came to Houston from Chicago where he worked as the assistant news director at Fox owned and operated station WFLD 32. The Chicago Tribune previously reported Dankert was with that station for 12 years.
Byron Miranda joins KPRC Local 2's morning news, replacing departing Wes Hohenstein. Wes Hohenstein has been "leaving" for months. I guess neither he nor the station were in too much of a hurry for him to leave until they found the right person.
Byron Miranda has worked at some big time stations:
Byron Miranda joined KPRC Local 2 on Jan. 23, 2006, as the meteorologist for Daybreak and Midday.
Relocating to a major city was nothing new for this weather veteran. He has lived in Atlanta (while working at CNN), Chicago (working at WMAQ) and Los Angeles (working at KCBS).
The big question is, will Byron get along with Radar the Weather Dog? You know how "ruff" it can be for the new guy. Hopefully Radar will extend his tail as a gesture of goodwill.
Join KHOU 11 News This Morning’s Lily Jang and Katherine Whaley
KHOU 11 is partnering with the “CBS Buzz Tour” in Houston this Tuesday, August 7 at Minute Maid Park. Join KHOU 11 News This Morning co-anchor Lily Jang and KHOU 11 traffic reporter Katherine Whaley -- and CBS reality stars Burton Roberts (SURVIVOR: PEARL ISLANDS) and Alex Boylan (THE AMAZING RACE) -- for meet-and-greets and giveaways from 4:00-7:00 PM at Minute Maid Park, prior to the Astros vs. Washington Nationals game.
Details on Educational Media Foundation Houston buy
KHJK-FM La Porte TX isn’t the sharpest knife in the Houston FM drawer, but it does provide entry into a top ten radio market for buyer Educational Media Foundation.
Post-Newsweek Stations Revenue Up 13%
The broadcast TV division is the Washington Post Co.’s only one to report increased operating results as revenue rises to $43.7 million. Post-Newsweek owns KPRC and KSAT.
Is This the New Face of KVUE Morning News?
A Texas native and University of Texas graduate, currently anchoring in Connecticut, may be the new morning anchor at KVUE-TV. Yvonne Nava would replace Melissa Gale, who left the station in June.
Bonten Names GM For Abilene, San Angelo
Bud Brown, the former GM of WWL New Orleans, will run the group’s two ABC and one CW affiliates KTXS, KTES and KTXE.
MOVING
Jazper Ortega joins 100.3 KILT FM as wekend personality and swing shift.
From 2004 to around 2007, KPRC 2 generated a lot of buzz with an on air talent who had a real nose for the weather. It was a canine named Radar The Weather Dog. In fact the KPRC 
