In fact, the funny thing about her arrival is that is coincided with my June 2009 departure from the station. I cleared out my desk one evening and she arrived the next day to sit at it supposedly.
Oddly enough, it's not the first time something like this happened. Azad replaced one of my good friends, also named Sonia, behind the anchor desk in Waco at my old station, KXXV/KRHD, a year or two after I left.
Please Sonia, don't follow in my footsteps this time or you'll be wasting your days blogging about the Houston media hoping someone clicks one of your banner ads so you can get a couple of pennies!
Naturally I'm joking, Azad will probably be announcing her next gig soon.
Before Houston, Azad worked for TV stations in San Diego, Chicago, Waco and College Station.
The award winning reporter is a graduate of the University of Texas Austin with a bachelor of journalism and from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a master of science in journalism. Azad also received a master of legal studies from Northwestern University's law school.
UPDATE (KTRK deleted her station Facebook page...here is the goodbye message she originally posted)
After 6 years at Channel 13, it has come time for me to start a new chapter in my personal and professional journey. I have had the great fortune of telling the stories and sharing the news of my hometown. I am grateful to have met and worked with some incredible people along the way. Thank you for your trust and for tuning in night after night (or day after day... Or morning after morning... ). I'm looking forward to new and exciting opportunities ahead. Stay tuned!!
Twitter: @SoniaAzadTV
Instagram: SoniaAzadTV
Former KTRK abc13 reporter/fill-in anchor Sonia Azad is heading to Dallas-Fort Worth's WFAA 8 where she will be the TEGNA station's new medical reporter/fill-in anchor. That position was formerly held by longtime reporter Janet St. James.
DFW TV watchers will know that means Azad is about to takeover a big role in that market and she knows it. St. James was the go to health source in Dallas for nearly two decades. The veteran DFW journalist left the TV biz earlier this year, then announced she was battling cancer.
"I see it as a big responsibility and it is a big honor to follow her in this role," Azad told mikemcguff.com this morning.
Azad is not totally new to health journalism. She covered medical issues back in Waco a few TV markets ago and won some awards based on her work.
As you read right here, the Houston native left KTRK abc13 last March. Azad told me that she was thinking of even seeing what life was like outside of TV. In fact, for the last seven months, she's been a certified yoga instructor teaching full-time.
However, I think anyone in the TV biz knows that if a chance to work at WFAA comes up, you take it. So she did. Now the marathon runner is very excited to merge her two worlds of health/wellness and journalism...especially at a prestigious news shop like this one.
"This is a dream job," Azad told me.
Before KTRK, Azad worked for TV stations in San Diego, Chicago, Waco and College Station.
The award winning TV reporter received a journalism degree from UT Austin and a masters in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. She also received a master of legal studies from Northwestern University's law school.
Azad's first day at WFAA will be this coming Monday.
PS
Azad joins fellow former KTRK reporter Demond Fernandez in Dallas who left Houston in May of 2014 for WFAA. If this becomes a trend, I'll start calling WFAA "KTRK North." Also, Houston TV watchers will recognize WFAA's news director Carolyn Mungo because she was an award-winning reporter at KHOU 11 for many years. She also worked at FOX 26 KRIV as assistant news director before leaving for The Metroplex.
Here is a portion of what the Lone Star EMMY and Texas Associated Press Broadcasters award winner posted on her social media accounts:
"While Dallas was never part of the plan, I am filled with gratitude for the role it has played in my journey.
After 7 years, l realized it is time for transition.
This will be my last week at WFAA. I made the decision awhile back, and have the blessing of my management team as I follow my inner compass and cast a wider net.
I will still focus on health and wellness content as a freelancer, host and emcee community events, guide in-studio and on line yoga and meditation classes, & lead corporate workshops and wellness retreats around the world. There are also some exciting new projects, partnerships and a podcast(!) that I will share more about in the coming days and weeks."
"I see it as a big responsibility and it is a big honor to follow her in this role," Azad told mikemcguff.com back in 2015.
Back then, Azad told mikemcguff.com that the WFAA gig was her "dream job," but even at that time, was a certified yoga instructor teaching full-time and thinking of seeing what life was like outside of TV.
Last week, Azad took on a wardrobe troll, and I received social media replies about how viewers still miss her on Houston television.
Azad joined KTRK as a reporter in June 2009. Believe it or not, she even took my desk over when I bolted from the station! Sonia, sorry for the mess. Were these a thing back then?
The Houston native previously worked as a:
- General Assignment Reporter, 10News KGTV San Diego, California
She won a HAIRRY award from the site getgoodhead.com. This means the site has determined Azad has the best hair of a female TV journalist in Texas.
Guess she pushes her Lone Star EMMY statuette aside and replaces it with this prestigious TV News award.
"Another line to add to the resumé 😜🤣 I won a HAIRRY," Azad posted on Facebook. "I dedicate this award to all the stylists at Drybar Dallas & my girl ERIN at Lure Salon for keeping me on point."
So how do TV reporters and anchors win?
The HAIRRYs celebrate fabulous hair and the people who have it.
There are no nominations, no voting, and no turning back.
As hair experts, we scour multiple images and video from all of our potential winners. Then we consult with other stylists and creatives in the field to eventually narrow it down to one HAIRRY Winner and one HAIRRY Runner-Up.
Here is the listing for Azad's honor:
Sonia’s hair is beyond spectacular. Like, once we saw a sunset in Hawaii where dolphins jumped and splashed on the horizon while parrots flew in the pink sky, and Azad’s hair is way better than that sunset.
This perfect brunette has full and voluminous hair that wonderfully shapers her face and makes her eyes pop with light! If you’re looking for #hairgoals – look no further than Sonia Azad. Just understand that you won’t be able to have hair as good. Sorry. 😉
Sonia Azad is a reporter (and occasional anchor) for ABC 8 in Texas. In addition to being a HAIRRY-Award, Azad is also an EMMY-Award winner. So, basically, Azad wins a lot.
When it comes to channel 13, there must be something in the water that causes fantastic follicles.
In 2016, KTRK abc13 anchor Erik Barajas, was honored with a HAIRRY: Local Newsmen With The Best Hair award.
Azad will cover health, wellness, fitness, and nutrition on WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth's Daybreak morning newscast, as she did for many years.
"I’ll be regularly contributing to the show, which is part of Dr. Phil’s new network," Azad posted on Instagram. "We’ll be in 80 million homes by the end of the month!! God’s vision for my life was bigger than I was able to imagine. I’ve been trusting— and life keeps delivering...I was in a room today with Dr. Phil, Steve Harvey, Nancy Grace and Chris Harrison."
The University of Texas at Austin grad, who also holds a master's degree in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, previously worked as a:
- General Assignment Reporter, 10News KGTV San Diego, California
In the first episode of the video podcast, Azad sits down with former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tony Casillas.
Azad says the YouTube show will explore the changes and challenges in life, plus healthy ways to navigate them.
"I’ve always believed that while our individual lives are very different, there is a lot of emotional overlap in our human experience," Azad said. "Hearing from people about ways they’ve had to shift in uncomfortable, tragic and even traumatic times — whether expected or unexpected— will help us all to remember that we are not alone, that we are in fact unified and connected."
Like a lot of TV anchors this week, WFAA 8's Sonia Azad is busy reporting on our arctic blast.
DFW viewer Frank was less concerned about the potential deadly cold air and more focused on Azad's wardrobe choice of the day.
Azad addressed Frank's concerns and even said he could Venmo her some cash for new threads!
"I have instead linked my Venmo to my bio in the event you’d like to buy me a better outfit to wear for one of the remaining 10 shows I am scheduled to anchor in 2022," Azad wrote on Instagram to Frank.
Cleverley Stone and Sonia Azad showing the right way to rodeo
When it comes to rodeo fashions, I'm a hard case. In fact, major Houston PR mover and shaker Shirley Barr told me my western wear needed help (see a photo here).
Thankfully Barr is here to set us straight by sending me her latest observations of Houston TV reporters covering the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Here is Barr's report:
In past years, Houston TV personalities donned lots of rodeo gear. Mia Gradney at KHOU 11 and Mary Lee at KPRC 2 both showed up at the Trail Ride sans Stetsons. We only spotted two cowgirls on the tube: Cleverley Stone, FOX 26 KRIV, was wearing a handsome black felt with rhinestone hatband and KTRK 13's Sonia Azad knew how to wear her straw hat down on her forehead, looking sharp.
And speaking of the rodeo, you can help me give $2,500 to charity. Just click here and you can help me win Reliant Energy's Rodeo Roundup. All it takes is one click (no Facebook log in required).
Find out more about Barr and Shirley Barr Public Relations at shirleybarrpr.com.
VOTE!: I'm trying to win money for charity from Reliant Energy's Rodeo Roundup...all you have to do is click a button to vote (and you can even do it once a day!) VOTE HERE
Michelle Baden, Miya Shay, Lara Bell (Photo: Barfield Photography)
Guests enjoyed many generous moments at the Second Annual "A Time to Care" Luncheon benefitting The Rose at the Junior League of Houston on Tuesday afternoon. Co-chairs Jessica Rossman and Michelle Meissner were tickled pink when this year's Master of Ceremonies Ernie Manouse of PBS, along with more than 260 guests, helped raise more than $87,000 for advanced breast cancer screening, diagnostic services and access to treatment to more than 35,000 insured and uninsured women annually.
Deborah Duncan of KHOU's Great Day Houston set the mood as she welcomed guests to the Second Annual "A Time to Care" Luncheon. Guests enjoyed a three course meal and refreshments while Ernie Manouse and luncheon speaker Dan Moore, CEO of Cyberonics, sat down for an open and engaging conversation about the importance of taking the time to care for the ones who matter the most, whether they be friends, family or employees.
Texas State Representative Gene Wu presented The Rose with a resolution that recognizes the nonprofit breast cancer organization and its second annual fundraising luncheon. The resolution states that those associated with the event should be extended best wishes for continued success.
For a sweet take-home treat, Mister French's Gourmet Bakery provided each guest with its sugar vanilla cookies. The cookies were meticulously hand decorated to the smallest detail and designed specifically for the event by Scott French himself. For every table, centerpieces included of assorted pink flowers in a glass vase were underwritten by Kroger. To thank all the heart-warming guests, bright fuchsia pink and green pashminas covered the Junior League of Houston Tea Room's chairs and were generously underwritten by Randall's.
Time flies with United Airlines as the raffle drawing for round trip business class tickets (anywhere in the U.S. Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America or Europe) raised $20,000. The raffle winner of the United Airline tickets was Amy Carr. Guests also opened up their big hearts and purchased raffle tickets for five fabulous packages that included spa treatments, dining, entertainment, getaways and more.
Those taking time to care included: The Rose Co-Founder and CEO Dorothy Gibbons, board members Myrleen Knott, Chair, Donna Mittendorf, Vice Chair, Tom Watson, Eileen Campbell along with guests Lara Bell, Bruce Padilla, Diane Caplan, KTRK's Sonia Azad and Miya Shay, Laurette Veres, Kim Padgett, Shelley Ludwick, Josh Espinedo, Kari Gonzales, Edward Sanchez, Peter Remington, Gracie Cavnar, Leisa Holland Nelson, Dana Kervin Clark, Beth Wilson, Texas State Representative Gene Wu, Ruchi Mukerjee, Kay King, Tina Governale, and Helen Perry.
(This post was taken from a release sent to me by The Padgett Group)
Gray Television, Inc. promotes Collin Gaston, currently a Regional Vice President and the General Manager of WBRC FOX6 in Birmingham, Alabama, to the position of Senior Vice President to oversee Gray television markets in the South, Texas and Colorado.
Reporter Nasya Mancini becomes KFOX El Paso weekend forecaster.
Sports reporter Chris Williams leaves KWTX 10 Waco-Temple-Killeen for Oklahoma City.
Jack Allen leaves the KXXV 25 Waco-Temple-Killeen sports department after three years.
Viewers concerned why KTRK abc13 newscasts never aired
More technical issues to report at KTRK abc13.
I woke up this morning to emails from concerned channel 13 viewers about why the Houston Disney/ABC TV station didn't air a couple of Sunday morning newscasts.
I'm told in the 6 and 7am newscast spots were Good Morning America and This Week with George Stephanopoulos. The same GMA episode that aired at 6am, re-aired at 7am the emails said. Some viewers learned first hand that the Sunday morning ABC network shows do not air live on the Houston station.
"Gave the staff a day off due to cold weather," one viewer asked me. "I haven't seen any crawls about their problem."
"More problems for Channel 13 news... they didn't go on the air as scheduled this morning," another viewer emailed me. "When I called they said they were having 'technical difficulties.' Did they cut the budget there THAT much? They never used to be this bad."
To its credit, the station did post the following on Facebook:
ABC13 is undergoing some maintenance work. We are working to return you to our regular programming as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.
Reporter and fill-in anchor Sonia Azad tweeted the following about the 9am show.
Abridged newscast starting at 9am. Building upgrades done! See u in a few mins w/ local headlines, w/ @SamicaKnight13 on @abc13houston
— Sonia Azad (@abc13SoniaAzad) October 6, 2013
Here's a little anecdote about a channel 13 technical issue from 1996. Alison Cook, then of The Houston Press, reported:
Channel 13, airing nothing but static and fuzz after its transmitter went out for 20 minutes, still beat Channel 51's news and Channel 8's documentary, The Joy of Stress, in that time period.
Whoever sees ratings will have to look if channel 13 viewers stayed with the station in absence of local news in 2013.
UPDATE
Tipster emailed that the maintenance work was a building generator replacement. They added the power had to be cut to the building to install it.
Backup generators are important for TV stations. For example, when I worked at 13 during Hurricane Ike, the generator kept the station on the air for days until CenterPoint Energy could restore power to the area.
Hondo New Host For Front Porch Show On The Wolf
Cumulus Media announces that Dallas-Fort Worth Country radio personality Greg “Hondo” Robertson has been named host of the long-running Front Porch Show on KPLX 99.5 FM The Wolf.
News 92 FM – Where Are They Now
It was one year ago that Houston’s only all-news radio station was shut down and 47 employees lost their jobs.
ABC O&O's Tap Tish Graham As Tech VP
KTRK abc13 chief engineer, Tish Graham, will take over Dave Converse's tech slot when he retires in December from the ABC Owned Television Station Group.
Charisma Glassman joins KTRK as Digital Marketing Manager. She comes from Gloplast Advertising in Houston.
Mariah Gardner joins KPRC 2 as Promotion Manager at KPRC in Houston.
Former FOX 26 KRIV reporter and Hit Video USA VJ, Todd Duplantis, is now the Director of HCC TV Communications.
Welcome Ars’ new science writers
For many years, he's been the Houston Chronicle's science guy, handling general coverage but specializing in space exploration, and now Eric Berger is leaving the paper world for Ars Technica.
KPRC2 Web Editor Anavid Reyes leaves to work as anchor/reporter for KTAB Abilene/Telemundo Abilene.
Former FOX 26 KRIV meteorologist Caitilin Espinosa announced she joined the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office team as a PIO (Public Information Officer).
FOX 26 KRIV reporter Andrea Watkins is now the station's Katy bureau chief.
Former Comcast SportsNet reporter Leila Rahimi has joined the company's Chicago network.
Don Holt has retired after "toiling" on the Houston Chronicle Universal Multiplatform Desk.
Rhonda Lamon has apparently left KTRK abc13 where she was morning executive producer.
SAN ANTONIO
Brina Monterroza joins KSAT San Antonio as a producer from WBBH Fort Myers, FL.
Former KENS 5 anchor Jeff Vaughn leaves WXYZ Detroit for KCAL LA.
Popular S.A. radio personalities no longer on air
KENS 5 confirmed Jonny Ramirez, the voice of "Jonny Ramirez in the Morning" on 107.5 and Xavier Castro, voice of "Xavier's World" on 98.5 have both been dismissed.
KXTN 107.5FM San Antonio welcomes the return of Tejano personality Big Boyee to the station. Big Boyee and Jammin J Javi will be on the air Monday – Friday from 6:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Univision’s KBBT 98.5FM, the number one station for Hip Hop and R&B in San Antonio, is also pleased to welcome The Dana Cortez Show to its airwaves. The show will be live in San Antonio from 6:00 – 10:00 a.m. Monday-Friday.
KGSR hires new midday host
Emily McIntosh, who had been handling weekend duties at sister station 101X, can now be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on KGSR.
WACO
Meteorologist Jon Haverfield leaves KWTX Waco for KJRH 2 Tulsa, OK.
Lauren Partain leaves KWTX Waco to be a multi-media journalist for KTUL Tulsa, OK.
KWTX morning and noon anchor Dan Ingham leaves KWTX Waco after 12 years to become the vice president of marketing & communications for First National Bank of Central Texas.
Kristi Gross leaves KXXV Waco to be a reporter at WINK Fort Myers, FL.
Meteorologist Tiffany Savona leaves KXXV Waco for WLKY Louisville
KCEN weekend anchor/reporter Emily Collins joins FOX 46 Charlotte, NC.
AROUND TEXAS
Summer Dashe leaves KLTV 7 Tyler to be an anchor/reporter for WPDE Myrtle Beach, SC.
Valerie Kilgore leaves the KETK Longview Bureau to be a freelance journalist based out of Austin.
Texas Reporter Heads to Florida
Jimmie Johnson is joining West Palm Beach, Fla., WPBF as a reporter from KAUZ Wichita Falls.
Remember years ago, like in 2005 when I first started writing this blog, when TV reporters and anchors put in decades on Houston TV?
It still happens in some cases, but with less regularity. Now it can be a matter of months and they are gone or out of the business in a blink of an eye.
Last call for KTXD-TV's The Broadcast
After a little more than two years as a mid-morning, locally produced alternative to WFAA 8’s long running Good Morning Texas, KTXD-TV’s (Ch. 47) The Broadcast breathed its last with Friday’s one-hour show.
Crisco Kidd Gets Hot In Dallas
CUMULUS Top 40/Rhythmic KLIF (HOT 93.3)/DALLAS lands KCAQ/OXNARD-VENTURA night jock CRISCO KIDD and THE CRISCO KIDD BLOCK PARTY for afternoons.
KDMX Names EJ For MD/Night Duties
iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (NOW 102.9)/DALLAS-FT. WORTH PD JAY SHANNON announces the addition of sister Top 40 KHFI/AUSTIN night talent EJ for MD/night duties.
Yoga helps anchorwoman Gina Gaston stay focused with busy schedule
So on a rainy day, when the yoga studios at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa were filled to capacity, Gina Gaston showed off her yoga skills in the club's courtyard as raindrops fell on her fresh makeup and hair.
Nefertiti Jaquez Out at WCAU
Former KPRC 2 reporter Nefertiti Jaquez is out at the NBC owned Philadelphia station WCAU.
Houston on the Cheap — with Amy Davis
Discovering Houston on the Cheap, a series highlighting ideas for cheap dates, cheap meals, Houston’s best-kept secret and more — all from the perspective of local chefs, media personalities, athletes, and folks in local business.
Wayne Dolcefino – A public discussion on public corruption
It is clear that Wayne had two jobs during his time at Channel 13: (1) investigative reporter and (2) Pseudo-Public Integrity Chief for the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District and the local district attorney’s offices, including Harris County.
Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider selected for a prestigious fellowship in Germany
Houston Public Media’s News 88.7 business reporter Andrew Schneider has been selected by the Radio Television Digital News Foundation (RTDNF) for a prestigious fellowship in Germany this summer as part of their German/American Journalist Exchange Program. Schneider will have the opportunity to meet with top-level German and business leaders, international journalists, European Union and NATO officials.
Sexy S.A. TV personality takes Miami job
You’ve seen her big smile and sexy figure all over San Antonio — on local TV, in fashion spreads and commercials, not to mention at nearly every red carpet event here. Now, Miami television has Rita Verreos.
S.A. TV panic! Where are missing anchors?
It never fails. When viewers notice their favorite anchors have been missing from their usual newscasts for days on end, they push the panic button.
S.A. radio talk host gets sax-y
Most know Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo as a San Antonio talk show host whose political leanings are well to the right, but there’s a whole other side to radio pundit Pags...
The Fringe becomes Classic 105.3
Previous Format: AAA “105.3 The Fringe” K287FG/KTXX-HD4 to New Format: Classic Hits “Classic 105.3.”
KRHD Bryan/College Station stops local newscasts
Just got word that KRHD Bryan/College Station stopped producing local newscasts in January. The station is airing sister station KXXV's newscasts out of Waco. The BCS staff was laid off.
Going batty in El Paso
The morning news crew at KFOX in El Paso had a studio visitor yesterday morning. Former KTRK abc13 anchor Stephanie Guadian was the anchor.
Lubbock TX Radio: Alpha To Acquire Four From Wilks
Alpha Media of Portland, Oregon has announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to purchase four radio stations in the Lubbock, TX market from Wilks Broadcast Group LLC.
97.1 THE EAGLE ANNOUNCES BFD 2015
97.1 The Eagle (KEGL FM) today announced BFD 2015, its annual concert, on May 31st, 2015 at Gexa Energy Pavilion. BFD 2015 will feature Rob Zombie as the headliner, with a strong active rock line up including Breaking Benjamin, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, In This Moment, All That Remains, Sons of Texas, and We Are Harlot. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Friday, March 27at 10 a.m. through the Live Nation mobile app, LiveNation.com, the Belk Box Office at Gexa Energy Pavilion and by phone 800-745-3000. Fans can listen to 97.1 The Eagle to 'Win It Before You Can Buy It,' beginning Monday, March 23, through Friday March 27, 2014. Complete show details are available at www.kegl.com .
Former News 92 web manager Kristy Gillentine moves to Drive West Communications.
Former Fox 26 KRIV sports producer Scotty Spiegel has joined KPRC in the same position. He worked at FOX for two years. Before that he worked at KHOU for almost three years.
KING OF THE MORNING: KTRK abc13 morning TV producer Michael King moved to the web side of the station.
REMEMBERING
Shane Media CEO Ed Shane Has Passed Away
Everyone at ALL ACCESS is deeply saddened to report the passing of SHANE MEDIA CEO ED SHANE, following a short battle with colon cancer.
KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate is runner up for Texas in 2018 HAIRRY Awards: "The HAIRRY-Awards are the most prestigious awards in local news. Yes, Emmys are nice to have, but you haven’t made it until you’ve received a HAIRRY."
Everyone makes fun of me when I post about the TV news HAIRRY Awards, but then it is usually a popular post.
Can you beat the marketing department that gives the awards the url getgoodhead.com?
It also gives us regular folks the chance to vicariously live through those TV stars with luxurious locs.
This year, Houston did not have a winner that made the cut, but we had a runner up which is good enough for me.
It turns out I was the lucky one to break the news to Braate of the tremendous honor.
"Thanks for bringing this to my attention, this is too funny," Braate told mikemcguff.com. "After forecasting weather for nearly two decades, I’m FINALLY recognized...by getgoodhead.com! And, to be clear, the award is for having good HAIR, right? All I can say is that I’m honored and, in some strange way, I feel like my life is now complete."
I've been covering Braate's career for a decade on this blog. He joined channel 2 in 2007. Then left for mornings at sister-station WDIV in Detroit.
I would like to think he realized everything is better in Texas, and got back down here in 2012.
According to his bio, Braate landed his first TV job at WXVT Greenville, Mississippi. After earning his degree, he joined WJXT Jacksonville, Florida and then WITI Milwaukee before his first stint in H-Town.
The Texas winner of this year's hair raising award is KXAN Austin investigative reporter Josh Hinkle.
The Bayou City usually represents well.
KTRK abc13 anchor Erik Barajas took top hon-hairs in 2016. KHOU 11's Darby Douglas was the runner up that year. Former FOX 26 KRIV movie critic Jake Hamilton also won that year for Illinois.
Last year when I posted Azad's news, social media lit up with comments that "this is a sexist award." Little do people realize the HAIRRY Awards honor both sexes, just not at the same time.
Now excuse me.
All this good hair talk makes me feel like I should go put on a big hat.
Does anyone remember when punk rockers would use Elmer's Glue to style a mohawk? I just thought of this as I was typing. That could be a cool sweeps stunt this May! Any station looking to get that extra .1 can contact me and I will personally deliver my kids' glue container.
Malini Basu is joining WFAA 8 Dallas - Fort Worth as a reporter from Boston 25 News WFXT.
"I couldn't be more excited to live in the same city as my family," Basu tweeted. "I've been waiting for this perfect opportunity for years."
Houston television viewers will recognize Basu from her time at KHOU 11 as a reporter from 2012 to 2015.
"Congrats girl," tweeted KHOU 11 anchor Shern-Min Chow. "You’ve paid your dues in Bean town!! Come home to Texas!!"
Since Basu was in Massachusetts, she picked up EMMY Awards to become a three time winner. One EMMY award-winning story took Basu all the way to El Salvador where she conducted interviews with convicted murderers from her station's viewing area.
Before Houston, the St. John’s University grad worked for:
- NBC Connecticut WVIT
- WLNE reporter/fill-in anchor
- WSYR freelance reporter
- WPTZ/WNNE reporter
- FOX 5 News field producer/writer
- NY1 News news assistant/photographer
According to her bio, Basu was born in Kolkata, India and raised in Queens, NY. She speaks fluent Bengali.
Other former Houston reporters working for WFAA
Basu will not be the only former Houston TV reporter now working for WFAA channel 8 in DFW.
Take a look at the TEGNA station's bio page and you will see former H-Town TV journalists like Sonia Azad (abc13 KTRK), Demond Fernandez (abc13 KTRK), Kevin Reece (KHOU 11) and Jason Whitely (KHOU 11).
