Sara Donchey joins KPRC 2 from KRIS

UPDATE JANUARY 20, 2019
Sara Donchey joins KCBS - KCAL Los Angeles


Sara Donchey joins KPRC 2 from KRIS Corpus Christi as new 4pm anchor

Sara Donchey

Yeah, I'm totally slipping as of late as many of you have noticed, but here is a quick post for you.

KRIS Corpus Christi weekend anchor Sara Donchey joins KPRC 2 as the station's new 4pm anchor confirms KPRC 2 news director Rhonda LaVelle to mikemcguff.com.

Donchey will anchor with Keith Garvin. That means current 4pm anchor Lauren Freeman will now anchor the 5pm with Bill Balleza.

You might remember that longtime 5pm anchor Dominique Sachse left that show upon her contract renewal.

"Freeing up the 5pm newscast allows me more family and after-school time," Sachse told mikemcguff.com last April.

Previous to her two years at KRIS, Donchey worked as a reporter for KZTV Action 10 News in the same city.

Before Texas, she was a production assistant for KPIX CBS5 in San Franciso and online managing editor for the Golden Gate Xpress.

Donchey is a graduate of San Francisco State University.

RELATED
- Jonathan Martinez joins KPRC 2 as weekend anchor
- Cathy Hernandez joins KPRC 2


* This post has been updated with the details that Sara Donchey is the new KPRC 4pm anchor.

VIDEO: Sara Donchey live on air during LA earthquake

Former KPRC 2 anchor Sara Donchey anchoring on KCAL9 LA during Los Angeles earthquake


If you've read my blog over the years, you know former KPRC 2 anchor Sara Donchey has been in the middle of the Hawaii 'missile strike' warning and now she has been live on the air during an LA earthquake.

Friday night, Donchey was anchoring on KCAL9 with Juan Fernandez when the 7.1 earthquake hit more than a hundred miles away from Los Angeles.

Donchey grabbed Fernandez's hand and said, "We’re experiencing very strong shaking. I think we need to get under the desk Juan.”

As Donchey started to duck for cover, the station cut to commercial.

She later tweeted:

My heart goes out to everyone in #Ridgecrest who are surely shaken after that massive 7.1 #earthquake. As a parent, the first thing I thought of was my infant son at home with my family and I was praying he was safe and comforted. Thoughts go out to all in Kern County right now.

— Sara Donchey (@SaraDonchey) July 6, 2019

In 2015, Donchey joined channel 2 in Houston from KRIS Corpus Christi as a 4pm anchor. At the beginning of this year, Donchey joined KCBS 2 and KCAL 9 in LA as an anchor.

RELATED
Sara Donchey still loves Houston

Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2

UPDATE JANUARY 20, 2019
Sara Donchey joins KCBS - KCAL Los Angeles


KPRC 2 4pm anchor Sara Donchey is no longer with the station

Multiple sources tell me that KPRC 2 4pm anchor Sara Donchey is no longer working for the Houston NBC affiliate.

As to what is happening next...I don't know at this time.

You might remember that Donchey has not been on air since August when she had her first child.

Donchey came to KPRC from KRIS Corpus Christi in the summer of 2015 where she worked as a weekend anchor.

Previous to her two years at KRIS, Donchey worked as a reporter for KZTV Action 10 News, also in Corpus.

She is a graduate of San Francisco State University.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
Sara Donchey posted a notice to KPRC viewers on Facebook:

"I just wanted to let my Facebook friends know that I will no longer be appearing on KPRC Channel 2. It is impossible to imagine a job that could’ve impacted my life and career as profoundly as this one has. I am not sure I have the words to express my gratitude for the opportunity...or the sadness I feel to say goodbye to you all this way. I will miss my amazing coworkers—now lifelong friends—every single day.

Wherever I land, I’ll be better off for having worked these years at KPRC. It was a true privilege to share your stories of resilience and hope, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Your strength has inspired me beyond measure. Thank you for your support, and I hope to see you back on the airwaves someday in the near future."

KPRC's Sara Donchey is expecting

UPDATE JANUARY 20, 2019
Sara Donchey joins KCBS - KCAL Los Angeles


UPDATE AUGUST 14, 2018
Sara Donchey has her baby

The official announcement is here (at least this is the first I've seen of it).

KPRC 2 anchor Sara Donchey is having a baby. She just posted the news on her Facebook page.

The text: "When you have one too many plates of carne asada..."

Viewers have been asking me if Donchey was pregnant...but ladies and gentlemen...I am not touching that news until I see an official announcement.

Can you imagine if a bunch of viewers wrote me about a news anchor who was "pregnant," I posted "the news" and then only to find out it wasn't true!

That it really was "too many plates of carne asada."

Yikes.

I'd have carne asada all over my face in that instance.


UPDATE AUGUST 14, 2018
Sara Donchey has her baby

Sara Donchey still loves Houston

Sara Donchey might be back home in California anchoring at Los Angeles' KCBS 2 - KCAL 9, but she is still a fan of Houston.

While covering a power outage at LAX, the former KPRC 2 anchor tweeted:

Just talked to a guy stuck at @SouthwestAir Terminal 1 at #LAX for 2 hours. Power is out and he can’t check in for his flight. He’s afraid he will miss his pre-paid 4 day trip to Houston @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/idPdMHyvIO

— Sara Donchey (@SaraDonchey) June 6, 2019

That caused a follower to ask Donchey, "Why would someone want to go to Houston?"

This is where Donchey's H-Town love shines through all the way from LA:

Oh, I don’t know, maybe because it has an incredible culinary scene, competitive professional sports teams, great live music and really wonderful people??? Just a guess... https://t.co/y5neu1FK9a

— Sara Donchey (@SaraDonchey) June 6, 2019

Donchey left KPRC in 2018 and joined the CBS LA stations last January.

Sara Donchey joins KCBS - KCAL Los Angeles

Former KPRC 2 anchor Sara Donchey joins KCBS 2 and KCAL 9 in LA

So it looks like Houston and Los Angeles TV just did a trade. Late in 2018, KHOU 11 picked up traffic anchor Stephanie Simmons from KCBS and now KCBS 2 - KCAL 9 has hired former KPRC 2 4pm anchor Sara Donchey.

CBS 2 & KCAL9 News Meteorologist Amber Lee tweets that Donchey will be anchoring the weekend shows for the CBS owned stations.

I can already tell the Californians are hitting my post about Donchey's Houston TV departure. Then my guess is they are checking Waze to see if The 405 is clear.

Donchey left KPRC last September. She posted on her Facebook page at the time:

"I just wanted to let my Facebook friends know that I will no longer be appearing on KPRC Channel 2. It is impossible to imagine a job that could’ve impacted my life and career as profoundly as this one has. I am not sure I have the words to express my gratitude for the opportunity...or the sadness I feel to say goodbye to you all this way. I will miss my amazing coworkers—now lifelong friends—every single day.

Wherever I land, I’ll be better off for having worked these years at KPRC. It was a true privilege to share your stories of resilience and hope, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Your strength has inspired me beyond measure. Thank you for your support, and I hope to see you back on the airwaves someday in the near future."

In 2015, Donchey came to channel 2 from KRIS Corpus Christi where she was a weekend anchor.

Before KRIS, she worked across the street as a KZTV Action 10 News reporter.

She graduated from San Francisco State University.

Back to work and we have a new addition to the weekends. Meet @SaraDonchey! She joins @ChrisVHolmstrom and me. Details on a cool down. We’re on @CBSLA 5&6p! pic.twitter.com/lYNgZrk8QC

— Amber Lee (@AmberLeeNews) January 20, 2019

Here is a clip of Donchey anchoring in LA.

Sara Donchey joins KPIX 5 San Francisco

Sara Donchey joins KPIX 5 San Francisco from CBS sister-stations CBS2 KCBS and KCAL9 Los Angeles where she was a weekend anchor.

"Thank you for your support, your feedback and your many kindnesses over the past 3 years," Donchey tweeted.  "LA will always be home."

Donchey will anchor the KPIX 3pm and 5pm newscasts with Ryan Yamamoto.

Houston and Texas TV viewers will remember Donchey from her time anchoring/reporting for KPRC 2 and KRIS /KZTV Corpus Christi before that.

Donchey joined KPRC in 2015 and left Houston TV in 2018 for KCBS 2/KCAL 9.

Even while back home in California, Donchey praised Houston on social media. 

Donchey made international news while anchoring live on Los Angeles television during the 7.1 earthquake.

The new anchor job will be a Bay Area return for Southern California native. Donchey attended San Francisco State University and even worked at KPIX 5 after college as a production assistant.

She is originally from Diamond Bar, California, in eastern Los Angeles County.

I’m going to miss you @SaraDonchey! 💜 We had so much fun when I was on weekends but our friendship will be forever. Our loss and the Bay Area’s gain. @ChrisVHolmstrom @jaimemaggio https://t.co/dl76hEYnxn pic.twitter.com/PXuod8tOv5

— Amber Lee (@AmberLeeNews) January 22, 2022

Houston TV journalists in Hawaii during 'missile strike' warning

UPDATE JANUARY 20, 2019
Sara Donchey joins KCBS - KCAL Los Angeles


KPRC 2 anchor Sara Donchey and KHOU Assistant News Director Josh Hubbard in Hawaii during Saturday's fake missile warning

Employees of two Houston TV stations were in Hawaii last weekend during the errant missile strike warning.

Through the week, KPRC 2 anchor Sara Donchey had been posting beautiful photos of her vacation on social media, and then she was faced with utter terror while in Honolulu Saturday.

This was my phone when I woke up just now. I'm in Honolulu, #Hawaii and my family is on the North Shore. They were hiding in the garage. My mom and sister were crying. It was a false alarm, but betting a lot of people are shaken. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/m6EKxH3QqQ

— Sara Donchey (@KPRC2Sara) January 13, 2018

KHOU Assistant News Director Josh Hubbard had just awakened after his last night on Maui when the Hyatt Hotel staff told his family to stay in their room, then later head to the basement.

We are headed to the basement pic.twitter.com/CEytZcG38A

— Josh Hubbard (@JhubbsKHOU11) January 13, 2018

Media reports say the warning was the result of human error during a routine drill.

Sara Donchey saved by Brock Purdy?

Sara Donchey leads a life filled with adventure, and now, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy claims to have rescued the CBS News Bay Area KPIX anchor from a perilous situation!

"We're shooting this commercial on a hill on the outside of the city," Purdy said on The Pat McAfee Show. "I see this thing trotting by that has a big tail. I was like, 'That looks like a mini wolf.' No one else was gonna scream, so I screamed, 'Yo, there's a coyote!' That thing went running off. It could've been an ugly day on the shoot, but we saved her (referencing Donchey)."

Donchey featured the commercial shoot on a newscast in February (watch below). 

"I was walking my dog when this happened," Donchey said on-air. "I was watching from Bernal Heights Park when I suddenly heard Brock scream, 'Coyote!' I turned around and saw the biggest coyote I've ever seen sneaking up behind me and my dog. ... When I walked down the hill, one of the film crew guys said, 'Hey, Brock Purdy saved your life.' Not exactly, but it's a good story to tell next season."

This isn't the first time the news anchor was near danger.

She was working for KPRC 2 Houston while in Hawaii during an errant missile strike warning. Later, as an anchor for KCAL9 Los Angeles, Donchey was live on the air during a 7.1-magnitude earthquake.

Donchey left KPRC 2 in 2018, but still has love for H-Town.

Sara Donchey has her baby

UPDATE JANUARY 20, 2019
Sara Donchey joins KCBS - KCAL Los Angeles

I told you back in June that KPRC 2 anchor Sara Donchey was expecting and now her new baby boy is here!

A station representative shared this adorable photo.


I think we have a good idea which parent this bundle of joy will look like.

How?

Before she left for maternity leave, Donchey filled-in for Courtney Zavala on Houston Life.

She showed host Derrick Shore two photos. One of her, and one of her husband. She joked the two pictures look like the same child and Shore agreed!

Watch below.

The changing faces of Houston TV news 2018

If you have the time...you can read through all of the Houston media job changes I tracked through 2018. And there are a lot of them. Ten years ago, I don't think I could have compiled a list anywhere near this size. There are so many changes, that even I can go through it and say, "Oh yeah, I forgot that happened this year!"

JANUARY 2018
- Taisha Walker joins KPRC

- Sofia Ojeda returns to KPRC weekend morning anchor desk

- Anoushah Rasta joins NBC Bay Area

- Janel Forte joins KHOU + new set

- Minerva Pérez Joins NHMC Board of Directors

- Josh Chapin exits KHOU 11

- Brian Collister leaving KXAN Austin

- Noel Ramos promoted to KTMD assistant news director

- Shelley Childers joins KTRK abc13

- Dave Ward named grand marshal of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parade

- Mayor names Mary Benton interim press secretary

- Wayne Dolcefino joins Quanell X on FOX 26's 'FOX Faceoff'

FEBRUARY 2018
- KENS 5 traffic anchor Chelsey Hernandez joins KTRK abc13 as a consumer reporter

- Houston TV journalists strike out on their own, and open up to mikemcguff.com about making money, including turning on a paywall

- WFMZ 69 News Lehigh Valley, PA reporter Maria Salazar joins FOX 26 as a general assignment reporter

- WCBS New York reporter Jessica Borg joins KHOU 11

- Former KPRC 2 reporter Jennifer Bauer reports from scene of horrible Florida high school shooting

- FOX 26 KRIV reporter Stephen Morgan filled-in as the meteorologist

- Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

- Owen Conflenti announces baby

MARCH 2018
- Former KLOL Personality Dayna Steele Wins Texas Democratic Primary

- Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13

- Houston Mayor Sylvester appoints former KPRC 2 reporter Mary Benton press secretary

- Kitirik, 86, still in the hearts of Houston TV viewers

- KHOU GM Susan McEldoon announces retirement

- Levi Ismail joins KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's new station address will be 5718 Westheimer - between Chimney Rock and Bering

APRIL 2018
- David Gonzalez joins KHOU 11

- Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13

- Brittany Jeffers joins KPRC 2

- Branch Davidian standoff remembered by Texas TV journalists who were there

- Lisa Vaughn exits FOX 26 KRIV

- New KHOU 11 graphics 2018

- 2018 Texas RTDNA Regional Murrow Award winners

MAY 2018
- CW 39 KIAH NewsFix's Natalie Hee joins FOX 26 KRIV as a reporter

- KHOU 11's investigative reporter Scott Noll leaves station for new job

- Dave Ward’s year since leaving channel 13

-Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract

- Two Houston DJs And Two Precinct 1 Constables Spend Three Days Homeless On Streets of Houston

- Don Nelson recalls his Rockets head shave

- Is that Fox 26's Mike Iscovitz or Eddie Van Halen?

- 10pm newscast producer Sindy Espinoza moves up to Executive Producer

- Ken Hoffman #4 Houston Chronicle columnist?

- Telemundo Houston travelling to Russia for World Cup 2018

- Harris County jurors get Dave Ward appearance

- KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate is runner up for Texas in 2018 HAIRRY Awards

- KHOU 11 demolition photos

- KPRC 2 assistant news director Mike Friedrich is making a career pivot

- A 101 KLOL video podcast by the mastermind behind the legendary Houston rock station

JUNE 2018
- Kevin Quinn leaves KTRK 13, joins Harris County Precinct 1

- KHOU 11's Melissa Correa opens up about her mental health

- Director of social media production

- Jake Reiner leaving KPRC 2

- Darby Douglas exits KHOU 11

- 2018 Lone Star Awards announced by Houston Press Club

- Colorado Securities Commissioner Gerald Rome

- KPRC's Sara Donchey is expecting

- KLOL would get ratted out by the Houston Chronicle in the 1970s

- Thanks to KPRC 2 for covering my mom's Alzheimer's story

- Jennifer Reyna is not leaving KPRC 2; has a new Facebook page

- KPRC 'Houston Life' changes coming

- Charly Edsitty joins abc13 KTRK

JULY 2018
- Tim Heller to leave abc13 KTRK in January 2019

- Where is Greg Bailey on abc13 KTRK?

- Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2

- Bobby Springer new KHOU 11 station manager

- TV talent fashion advice from the pros

- Former Houston journalists start “What’s Left America” podcast

- Aaron Wische named KPRC 2 Assistant News Director

- David Paul's new haircut was a happy accident

AUGUST 2018
- Doug Miller named Rice University director of news and media relations

- Telemundo Houston's Martín Berlanga to leave KTMD

- Butch Alsandor & Jorge Vargas to call TSU football on AT&T SportsNet

- Katherine Marchand joins abc13 KTRK

- 'Dave Ward's Houston' to launch on abc13 KTRK

- KPRC 2's new dog, Tex, joins Houston Life

- Sara Donchey has her baby

- Lina De Florias joins FOX 26

- Good news for Greg Bailey!

- abc13 KTRK to debut 3pm newscast

- KHOU 11 reveals what happened during Harvey evacuation

- Sherry Williams is leaving KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's Sherry Williams joins HISD


SEPTEMBER 2018
- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 inductees

- Frank Billingsley diagnosed with prostate cancer

- Former KIAH GM Roger Bare to head Bayou City Art Festivals

- NewsFix and morning dose cancelled by Tribune

- Former Houston TV staffers land gigs in Florida

- Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2

- NewsFix signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News

- KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora calls it a career after 38 years

- Former KHOU photographer lives "Life Below Zero"

- Tom Zizka moving to weekends

- KTXH bringing back that 20 Vision feeling

- 'Wake Up! With SallyMac & Lina' debuts Monday on FOX 26 KRIV

- Telemundo Houston and Entercom radio team up

- In 'Santa Fe Strong,' KHOU follows the high school football team after shooting tragedy

- KHOU Avenida Studio in downtown Houston debuts


OCTOBER 2018
- Leigh Frillici signs off from KPRC 2

- Greg Bailey returns to KTRK...again

- Erica Simon is pregnant

- Michelle Margaux will serve as in-game reporter for Houston Rockets games

- Foti Kallergis leaves abc13 KTRK for PR role

- Darby Douglas gets a new grandson

- Houston Chronicle editor Nancy Barnes named NPR's SVP of News and Editorial Director

- CW 39's Maggie Flecknoe is a survivor

- Alejandro Mendoza joins Telemundo Houston KTMD

- KHOU 11's Ron Trevino is married!

- Sharron Melton returns to Houston TV on CW 39 KIAH

- Adam Clanton and Theresa from The Buzz have a baby

- TJ Parker joins abc13 KTRK

NOVEMBER 2018
- Jerry Vazquez on the rise of Telemundo Houston

- Stefania Okolie joins abc13 KTRK

- Lindsey Day joins CW 39 KIAH Morning Dose

- Stephanie Simmons joins KHOU 11

- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 highlight videos

- Why Ilona Carson is no longer on the 10pm news

- Don Kobos honored in Lone Star EMMY Chapter Silver Circle

- Samica Knight returns to abc13 KTRK

- Dave Ward announces new book 'Good Evening, Friends'

- iHeartMedia Houston and the Houston Astros extend partnership

- Telemundo Houston takes home 15 Lone Star EMMYS

- InnovationMap launches from Gow Media

- Natasha Barrett joins city of Baytown

- Christine Noël joins KPRC 2

- WFAA's Carolyn Mungo News Director of the Year 2018

- Univision 45 November 2018 sweeps victories

- Telemundo Houston releases November 2018 sweeps wins

- Lainie Fritz gets her ring

- Lance Roberts rejoins 700 KSEV

- VIDEO: KHOU 11 returns to air during Hurricane Harvey

- Craig Hlavaty leaves Houston Chronicle for HMNS


DECEMBER 2018
- Carlos Robles promoted to Telemundo Houston chief meteorologist

- Frank Billingsley announces he is cancer free

- Chelsey Hernandez appears in new movie

- Hannah Trippett joins CW39 KIAH's 'Morning Dose'

- KPRC 2 celebrates 70th anniversary as Houston's first station

- Rachel McNeill officially signs off KPRC 2

- The Brooks Garner baby is here

- Steve Simon returns to CW39 KIAH as news director

- Trey Serna returns to CW39 as senior producer and talent

- Rachel Briers joins abc13 KTRK

Top Houston media stories 2018

Top mikemcguff blog posts for 2018 by your clicks

Darby Douglas

Here are the top Houston media stories of 2018 by page views on mikemcguff.com. So that means you decided this list by clicking on these posts the most throughout the year.

 Now these posts are only from 2018. I have some other posts and pages that show up in my top 10 posts for the year, but were not written in 2018, so I throw those out - like my Houston news headlines page. Another post, this one from 2016, that showed up in '18 is the 93Q Morning Zoo's Erica Rico and Tim Tuttle wedding post.

So as Casey Kasem use to say, "Let the countdown begin!"

10. Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2
7NEWS KMGH Denver reporter Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2 as a reporter.

9. Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2
KPRC 2 4pm anchor Sara Donchey is no longer with the station.

8. Where is Greg Bailey on abc13 KTRK?
Greg Bailey explains his absence from abc13 KTRK sports desk.

7. Owen Conflenti announces baby
KPRC 2 morning anchor Owen Conflenti now has a baby daughter!

6. KHOU 11 blowing up its morning show post Darby Douglas?
The story to watch right now is the KHOU 11 morning show rebirth - which ended up being #HTownRush.
UPDATE: Stephanie Simmons to join KHOU 11 as traffic anchor/reporter from KCBS 2 Los Angeles

5. Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13
abc 13 KTRK weekend anchor Natasha Barrett has left abc13 KTRK.
UPDATE: See where Natasha Barrett works now

4. Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13
After 15 years, KTRK abc13 reporter Kevin Quinn resigns from the station he's called home for a long time - but he's not the only one leaving.
UPDATE: See where Kevin Quinn works now

3. Rachel McNeill leaving KPRC 2
KPRC 2 anchor Rachel McNeill will say goodbye to Houston; her family will move in January.

2. Kitirik, 86, still in the hearts of Houston TV viewers
Bunny Orsak, aka KTRK 13's "Kitirik" has luck on her side - Dan Lovett catches up with her and reports back to us.

AND THE NUMBER ONE POST FOR 2018...

1. Darby Douglas exits KHOU 11
Darby Douglas tells me about KHOU: "I hope our paths cross once again. I’m already missing it!"


Comment about the 2019 top Houston media stories here

RELATED
- Top Houston media stories 2017
- Top Houston media stories 2016
- Top mikemcguff blog posts for 2015
- Top mikemcguff blog posts for 2014
- Top mikemcguff.com posts for 2013
- Top mikemcguff.com posts for 2012
- Top mikemcguff.com posts for 2011
- Top 10 mikemcguff.com blog posts for 2010
- Top mikemcguff.com posts of 2009
- Top mikemcguff.com posts of 2008
- Top Mike McGuff blog posts of 2007
- Top 10 for 2006

Houston TV social rankings during Harvey

How did Houston TV stations and employees rank on social media during Hurricane Harvey coverage

Last week, KTRK abc13 sent us its Houston TV ratings data during the Hurricane Harvey coverage.

Now social TV ratings, rankings and analytics company, Share Rocket, gives us the data on how each station and the corresponding air staff members performed on Facebook and Twitter.

Important because according to Pew Research, now 67% of Americans use social media to get some of their news. If you lost power, social media was probably the way you got your news during the storm.

Share Rocket is, "a social media ratings and audience solution providing media companies an easy way to quantify their social media equity, benchmark against peers and turn social market intelligence into insights that drive social success."

These rankings look at the time span of August 25th to September 1st, 2017. The numbers are pulled from station usage on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Share Rocket's "Share" measurement which is the way to look at weekly data.

First we are looking at every Houston media company in the Share Rocket database. Then I am looking at the top 5 on air staff members at each station in order of channel number.

The top five Houston Chronicle staffers are listed at the bottom. I did not include KIAH 39 because it does not have five full-time on-air employees to make up the list. KXLN does not have a complete top five list because there was an incorrect list of employees in the database, that is being corrected. No Houston radio stations are listed in the Share Rocket database.

Media	Share
1 abc13 KTRK	28.00
2 KHOU 11	18.81
3 FOX 26 KRIV	18.01
4 KPRC 2	17.18
5 Houston Chronicle	9.36
6 Univision 45 KXLN	5.76
7 Telemundo 47 KTMD	1.22
8 CW39 KIAH	0.73
9 Houston Press	0.62
10 CultureMap Houston	0.31

KPRC 2
1 Haley Hernandez
2 Sara Donchey
3 Jennifer Reyna
4 Dominique Sachse
5 Anoushah Rasta

KHOU 11
1 Daniel Gotera
2 Brandi Smith
3 Doug Delony
4 Melissa Correa
5 Bill Bishop (Managing Editor)

abc 13 KTRK
1 Travis Herzog
2 Samica Knight
3 Tim Heller
4 Courtney Fischer
5 Mayra Moreno

FOX 26 KRIV
1 Mike Iscovitz
2 Kaitlin Monte
3 Isiah Carey
4 Melissa Wilson
5 Lindsey Henry

Univision 45 KXLN
1 Osvaldo Corral
2 Raul Peimbert
3 Laura Sierra
4 Arnaldo Rojas
5 N/A

Telemundo 47 KTMD
1 Martín Berlanga
2 Ubaldo Martínez
3 Carlos A. Robles
4 Augusto Bernal
5 Antonio Hernández

Houston Chronicle
1 Mark Mulligan
2 Michael Ciaglo
3 John McClain
4 Joseph Duarte
5 Matt Dempsey

RELATED
- Houston charities team up with social media community
- Top social media posts with a #Harvey hashtag

Christine Noël joins KPRC 2

9NEWS KUSA Denver morning anchor Christine Noël is heading to KPRC 2, but not for some time.

UPDATE JANUARY 2025
Christine Noël joins FOX 31 Denver

UPDATE OCTOBER 2022
Christine Noël announces KPRC 2 departure

 UPDATE FEBRUARY 2019
Christine Noël starts at KPRC 2

According to her announcement on KUSA, the morning anchor will not be leaving Denver TV until December 28th. Guessing she will appear on channel 2 in Houston at the beginning of 2019.

Sources tell me she could be replacing Sara Donchey's spot on the 4pm news desk. Stay tuned to see if that is true.

Here is part of a message Noël posted on the KUSA website:

Nearly five years ago, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to move to Denver, and work with one of the best local news organizations in the country. It was a dream come true and has truly been one of the best experiences of my life.

Over the past five years, I have worked alongside some of the best journalists and kindest people I’ve ever come across. Being a part of this 9NEWS family has meant more to me that I can express in words, and living in Colorado has been nothing short of an epic adventure.

To the viewers, thank you. Thank you for giving this West Michigan girl a chance to do what she loves in a city she loves. Thank you for allowing me to share your stories each day and for allowing me into your homes every morning. It’s been an honor and a privilege, and I’ll miss you.

“Christine has done a wonderful job here at 9NEWS and while we are sorry to see her leaving we are very happy to see her growing her career in such a meaningful way, said Mark Cornetta, Executive Vice President, TEGNA & President & General Manager, KUSA. "She will always be a part of the 9NEWS family and we wish her the best.”

Before KUSA, Noël worked for WCCB Charlotte where she worked mornings and later the 10pm show.

Her broadcasting career began upon graduation from Hope College where she took the hosting job of local-lifestyle show "Take Five & Co." on WZZM 13 Grand Rapids, Michigan.

After two years of hosting, Noël joined the news department as a Multimedia Journalist (MMJ). After six months, she became the lead morning reporter for the weekday morning news team.

In 2018, Denver has been a source of hiring for Houston TV stations. In July, KPRC hired 7NEWS KMGH Denver reporter Sally Mamdooh and then KHOU 11 hired 9NEWS KUSA director of advertising and promotion Bobby Springer as its new vice president and station manager.

Houston TV news pros will give you insider secrets this weekend

If you're looking to get into the TV news biz, the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) is holding a seminar this weekend at Rice University with some Houston TV reporters ready to talk the trade.

Panelists include: Sara Donchey/KPRC, Pooja Lodhia/KTRK, Howard Chen/Fox 26, Josh Chapin/KHOU and Esther Hou/KTRK

The panel will be moderated by FOX 26 KRIV reporter/fill-in anchor Angela Chen.

FROM COLLEGE TO TV NEWS
11 a.m., Saturday April 23
Rice University, Herring Hall Room 100

Panel of local TV news reporters to discuss what it takes to get on-air, turn great stories, and reveal rookie mistakes. We will also talk about the producer track and sports reporting. With journalists from Fox 26, abc13, KPRC and KHOU.

RSVP to angela.chen@foxtv.com

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)

RELATED
Telemundo Houston delivers Houston’s largest late news audiences in November 2017 sweeps

Texas TV news and radio job moves July 2019

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Meteorologist Colleen Coyle says farewell after nine years with WFAA.

NBC5 KXAS anchor/reporter Kristin Dickerson is going with God, leaving the station.

Wendy Cruz is back at Univision 23 in Dallas.

KSCS/Dallas Re-Brands As ‘New Country 96.3’

HOUSTON

104 KRBE program director Leslie Whittle adds Cumulus Media Vice President, Hot AC Formats duties.

Brian Shannon aka “Eddie ‘The Boner’ Sanchez” joins 92.3 KGON Portland.

Longtime "Rod Ryan Show" co-host Dinah Powers is leaving the show.

Sunny 99.1 KODA's Dana Tyson has a new podcast series celebrating and meeting powerful Houston women.

After leaving Sports Talk 610 (KILT-AM), Houston sports talk host Paul Gallant unleashes anything-goes podcast.

Houston Radio: KPRC's Ken Webster Jr. Put In Facebook Jail.

Chris Guillory is leaving KPRC to join the Humble Independent School District's communications team.

- VIDEO: Sara Donchey live on air during LA earthquake
- KVOA Tucson, Arizona weekend sports anchor Ari Alexander joins KPRC 2
- Levi Ismail exits KHOU 11
- Norah O'Donnell visits KHOU 11
- After John Walton's death, the "Walton and Johnson" show will continue with Ken Webster Jr. as Steve Johnson's co-host
- WNCN Raleigh's Taniya Wright joins KPRC 2 as morning anchor
- The Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductees 2019
- Brooks Garner joins FOX 31 Denver
- 89.3 KSBJ expands coverage To reach 7 Million listeners
- Houston TV reporters wearing braids on air
- KHOU promo videos from 2003
- Shelley Childers annouces baby 2
- Rich Lord and Mike Meltser exit SportsRadio 610 KILT
- WLWT Cincinnati reporter Vanessa Richardson joins KPRC 2 sports team
- SportsRadio 610 KILT hosts say "the best is yet to come"
- Remembering 99.9 FM KSHN Liberty
- KPRC 2's 'Apollo 11: Mission to the Moon'
- Patricia Buchanan named Vice President of Sales Telemundo Houston KTMD
- Telemundo Houston KTMD reporter Eduardo "Yusnaby Pérez" Rodriguez leaves for Telemundo 51 Miami WSCV
- Frank Billingsley's photo used to scam woman
- 2019 Lone Star Regional Sports EMMY Nominees
- Dominique Sachse's vacation on the French Riviera
- Lauren Freeman has baby 5
- Cathy Hernandez is pregnant
- GMA meteorologist Ginger Zee on abusive relationships, overcoming depression
- Emily Akin retires from FOX 26

SAN ANTONIO

Congratulating Mike Hernandez, who is retiring from WOAI, after more than 30 years in news.

KSAT 12 San Antonio assistant news director Chris Henao joins KHOU 11 in the same position.

Hearst announced that Michael Sacks has been named publisher of the San Antonio Express-News.

KENS 5 weekend team says goodbye to Jared Silverman.

Jessica Headley will depart Fox San Antonio, Launches book for community.

San Antonio Telemundo's Valeria Barriga moves to Univision KWEX.

Holly Stouffer joins the KENS team after leaving KXXV (Waco, Temple, Killeen).


AUSTIN

KRQE Albuquerque meteorologist Kristen Currie joins KXAN Austin.

KDRV NewsWatch12 Medford, Oregon sports reporter Jake Garcia joins KVUE.


AROUND TEXAS

Gray Television’s CBS affiliate KWTX (Waco, Temple, Killeen) promoted KWTX Meteorologist Sean Bellafiore to weekday morning and noon meteorologist.

KXXV 25 (Waco, Temple, Killeen) news director Charlie Haldeman handed in his resignation.

KWTX (Waco, Temple, Killeen) morning anchor Taina Maya will temporarily continue to anchor while also working as the new Killeen Independent School District chief communications and marketing officer.

KGBT Harlingen Assistant News Director Jim Bob Breazeale posted some good news about his health.

EMILY JACEKS moves to Producer at KVUE-TV in Austin (from KOB-TV, Albuquerque).
- Emily is represented by Steve Swienckowski at DCA Talent. http://www.dcatalent.com.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times reporter Eleanor Dearman is heading to Austin to cover politics and other top Texas stories for the El Paso Times and the USA Today Network.

KRZI (ESPN Central Texas)/Waco Knocked Off Air By Vandalism.

KKBA/Corpus Christi Brings On Jackie Umphres For Afternoons

REMEMBERING

Half of the “Walton and Johnson” syndicated morning radio team, John Walton, 67, has died.

R.I.P. Boomer Kingston, West Texas Radio Personality.

Texas #TVnews and radio job moves September 2018

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

CBS11 KTVT takes a double hit with loss of husband-wife duo Dan Haggerty, Cristin Severance.

NBC5 KXAS’s weekend anchor Cory Smith leaves to join WRC in Washington, D.C.

REMEISHA SHADE joins ABC Affiliate WEWS in Cleveland as Weekend Meteorologist and will fill-in on weekdays and report. Remeisha who previously worked at NBC Affiliate KXAS in Dallas is a graduate of Florida State University and is AMS Certified.
- Mort Meisner Associates

Angelina Armendariz joins Univision 23 in Dallas as an MMJ from Telemundo 40 in McAllen.
- nwtgroup

Yona Gavino signs a new agreement as reporter at KTVT, the CBS O&O in Dallas.
- nwtgroup

“Smooth R&B 105.7” KRNB dropped the “Steve Harvey Morning Show” and announced show replacement “The Morning Rush” with comedian Rudy Rush and Claudia Jordan.

Texas Country KPLX 99.5 The Wolf in Dallas/Fort Worth debuts a new morning radio hosted by DFW radio personality Nathan Fast.

WFAA Marketing Director Blair Nelson Heads to KUSA.

HOUSTON

Houston Chronicle Austin bureau chief Mike Ward resigned his position after allegations surfaced that he made up sources for stories.

Monica Rhor has left the Houston Chronicle to join USA Today as a national writer.

Houston Chronicle Assistant Business Editor Ronnie Crocker announced he has been named editor of the Beaumont Enterprise. He's been with the Chron for more than two decades.

abc13 KTRK anchor Erica Simon says wearing makeup to cover her freckles on air is part of the required "uniform."

Former Rock 101 KLOL DJ Steve Fixx is now Director of Internal Communications for Mattress Firm.

Hot AC MIX 107.3 WRQX WASHINGTON, D.C. signs Corinna Delgado for middays. She was most recently with sister 104.1 KRBE.

COX MEDIA GROUP/HOUSTON Dir./Sales Judy Lakin is set to retire from her position, effective at the end of 2018.

- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 inductees
- Frank Billingsley diagnosed with prostate cancer
- Former KIAH GM Roger Bare to head Bayou City Art Festivals
- NewsFix and morning dose cancelled by Tribune
- Former Houston TV staffers land gigs in Florida
- Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2
- NewsFix signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News
- KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora calls it a career after 38 years
- Former KHOU photographer lives "Life Below Zero"
- Tom Zizka moving to weekends
- KTXH bringing back that 20 Vision feeling
- 'Wake Up! With SallyMac & Lina' debuts Monday on FOX 26 KRIV
- Telemundo Houston and Entercom radio team up
- In 'Santa Fe Strong,' KHOU follows the high school football team after shooting tragedy
- KHOU Avenida Studio in downtown Houston debuts

SAN ANTONIO

KSAT reporter Courtney Friedman joins Tim Gerber on the 10pm weekend newscast.

KABB's 9am team re-branded "Daytime @ Nine" (since August 2011) as "Daytime with Kimberly & Esteban."

AUSTIN

Fox 7 reporter Destiny Chance has been upped to weekend evening anchor, taking over for Ashley Paredez, who is now at sister station KDFW in Dallas.

AROUND TEXAS

ALYSSA MEISNER moves to Morning and Noon Anchor at KDBC in El Paso (from weekends at WOWK, Charleston, WV).
- Steve Swienckowski at DCA Talent

Jasmine Haynes makes a 135 market jump to News Reporter/MMJ for KSN Wichita, KS. Previously, she was the morning anchor at KAVU Victoria.
- CBK Media Management

KGBT Harlingen anchor Nicole Hickl is taking some time off to manage her mental health.

WRGT morning anchor and sports director Erik Elken is leaving Dayton, Ohio to join KVIA El Paso as an evening anchor.

ASHLEY KRAMLICH jumps 83 markets and becomes the Weekend Meteorologist at WBFF FOX in Baltimore from meteorologist at KYTX in Tyler, Texas.
- 3 KINGS ENTERTAINMENT

RYAN NELSON jumps 42 markets and becomes a Reporter at WJAX-TV in Jacksonville, Florida from reporter at KRGV in Weslaco, Texas.
- 3 KINGS ENTERTAINMENT

KGBT hires sports anchor Daniel Esteve.

REMEMBERING

Remembering CBS radio's Dave Barrett (former 740 KTRH reporter)

Robert Gray, KPRC's first live news reporter, dies at 94

Texas TV news and radio job moves February 2022

 

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

EVERYONE 

TEGNA sold, some Texas TV stations to be bought by Cox
The changing world of TV News - why not back to basics?
TV newsroom lingo lesson
TAB Congratulates Winners of Inaugural Texas Broadcast News Awards
Best TV News Bloopers February 2022

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Anchor Katie Johnston leaves CBSN DFW for Evanta.

WFAA 8 Vice President and Station Manager Carolyn Mungo celebrates 10 years with the station.

Producer Lexi Salazar who created/launched "KSAT Explains" moves from San Antonio to CBS 11 KTVT.

Jeff Cavanaugh leaves 105.3 The Fan KRLD to start own YouTube show.

91.7 KXT KKXT taps Benji McPhail As PD, Jeff Penfield Upped To PD At KERA.

Compass Media Networks announces the addition of 570 KLIF and 96.3 FM HD2 Dallas to The Markley, van Camp and Robbins Show.

Caroline Vandergriff gives birth
TV weather is rough in Dallas
Anne Elise Parks returns to new CBS 11 DFW morning show
NBC 5 DFW KXAS new studio 2022

HOUSTON

Jennifer Chang, the Houston Chronicle’s director of audience, has been promoted to managing editor. Chris Fusco, former executive editor of the Chicago Sun-Times, also joins as managing editor..

The Houston Chronicle's Paul Takahashi joins Bloomberg's Houston bureau to cover US shale oil companies.

Taylor Mills is the host for “Hope on Demand,” a new show airing evenings on 89.3 KSBJ.

Armen Williams Announces Upcoming Departure From Sports Radio 610.

It has come to my attention that former abc13 KTRK reporter Raven Ambers is now the Manager of Student News for the University of Houston Downtown.

Kris Gutierrez leaves KPRC 2
Univision Houston unveils “state-of-the-art” studio
Sara Donchey joins KPIX 5 San Francisco
Marlene Guzman joins Univision as correspondent
Marcelino Benito shares good news
Vanessa Richardson and Paul Gallant replace Charlie Pallilo at ESPN 97.5
KTRK 13's "WEIRD" 1960s
Angel Covarrubias joins CW39 KIAH
Pat Cavlin joins KHOU 11
Fmr Houston TV reporter Napoleon Johnson remembers times at KPRC 2
Maria Todd joins "Todd Newton Morning Show”
Mary Lee gets engaged on Valentine's Day
KPRC 2 promo (1988)
Daniela Hurtado joins abc13
Tracy Clemons returns to Houston
GregO on 95.7 The Spot for 3 more years

SAN ANTONIO

KENS 5 evening anchor Sharon Ko announces engagement.

Lynette Vega, a producer for News 4 San Antonio and Fox San Antonio, competed in Leaders For Life in honor of her late fiancé, Anthony “Andy” Dwayne Garcia, who passed away in 2019 due to a subdural hematoma, complications of pneumonia and having suffered an ischemic stroke. 

Emily Allen joins KSAT as nightside executive producer from News 6 WKMG Orlando.

Jaime Valenzuela (a.k.a. DJ Hammburger) promoted at 98.5 The Beat KBBT.

Tejano 95.7 KLEY adds Jonny Ramirez and Bo Corona.

Casey Viera joins KENS 5 San Antonio
Matt Roy joins WOAI - KABB San Antonio
Chelsea Torres joins News 4 San Antonio
Holly Stouffer is engaged
Joe Reinagel signs off KENS 5 San Antonio

AUSTIN

Chelsea Moreno promoted to KXAN assignment desk manager.

Terry Foxx joins KUT 90.5 FM as director of programming and audience.

Jessica Priest joins The Texas Tribune as engagement reporter.

Mike Hardge joins 104.9 The Horn KTXX as afternoon co-host.

Former TV news anchor and LBJ-family insider Neal Spelce spins intriguing yarns in new memoir.

KVUE Senior Digital Sports Producer Paul B. Livengood II is headed to WFAA 8 Dallas.

Julie Chen Moonves dishes about Walt Maciborski
San Antonio meteorologist helps Austin TV
Tanvi Varma joins KVUE Austin
Austin's TV news manager hirings
Noah Gross joins KXAN Austin

AROUND TEXAS

KBTX 3 Bryan-College Station assistant news director Michael Oder is heading to KTTC Rochester, MN as news director. 

GM Paul Bergen leaves KBMT.

Meteorologist Aaron Ayers has left KSAN San Angelo for WHNT News 19 Huntsville.

KXII Sherman weekend meteorologist Mikayla Smith is addressing a need for hard-of-hearing viewers who consume social media.

Willie Downs joins KLTV Tyler, TX as a multimedia journalist.

KBTX 3 chief meteorologist Shel Winkley is featured in The Atlantic in an article about climate change.

Dana Melancon, a former meteorologist for KFDM Channel 6 news, is suing Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Crash Kelley Lands New Job At Townsquare Media/San Angelo.

An El Paso TV love story
Remi Monaghan joins FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids
Sydnee Batzlaff new KFDA Amarillo weekend anchor
Sports anchors hired at KAGS and KTXS
Martha Iglehart broke barriers at KFDX 3 News Wichita Falls

REMEMBERING

Iconic KENS 5 journalist Gary DeLaune passes away.

Charles Ray Dunaway (aka “The Round Mound of Sound,” aka “Chucky Wucky” at stations such as KILT Houston and KLIF Dallas,) passed away at age 87 in Katy, Texas.

Roscoe Harrison Jr. was a Central Texas legend. From his days at the Temple-Daily Telegram as the first African-American journalist in Central Texas, to his more than 20 years at KCEN as the first African-American news anchor in the area.

Remembering former NewsWest 9 weather forecaster, Darrell Ward.

Former Texas Station Owner, Engineer George Chambers Dies.

Broadcasters Mourn Loss of Dick Pickens.