Tom Zizka moving to weekends

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

FOX 26 morning anchor Tom Zizka announces move to weekends

Ch-ch-ch-changes are coming to FOX 26 KRIV.

I posted the news in August that KTVK/KPHO Phoenix weekend anchor Lina De Florias was joining FOX 26 mornings.

In fact, just this week, I saw a billboard with De Florias and Sally MacDonald promoting their newscast together.

A few weeks ago when I posted about De Florias' arrival, I thought who left? Or who will be leaving? I didn't get an answer from anyone at the time...and believe me...my readers were asking for one.

Now we know.

Lots of folks have been reaching out to me since this past weekend concerning channel 26 anchor/business reporter Tom Zizka leaving the morning show.

Following his Facebook page these days is like watching an episode of Lost. There are more questions than answers. What is the Smoke Monster?

Zizka started posting cryptic messages about changing his alarm's wake up time. Then a post came about how the actual morning commute traffic is worse than he remembered (since he has been going in for years very early and has missed it). Then one was about D.B. Cooper's real identity! (OK, you caught me, I just added in that last one)

The best I can tell at the time of this posting, is that Zizka will be the new weekend anchor because he posted the following.

"OK, folks... So changes are happening. I'll be telling more of your stories, through the week, and sharing the news with you Weekend evenings...So... Let me know whats going on...and join me Saturday and Sunday. See you then!"

Now, he does not explicitly say he is the weekend anchor so I am just assuming. If he's not behind the news desk, then I guess he is a reporter. This guessing game is kinda fun for me.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 22, 2018: Tom Zizka is the weekend anchor.

Stay tuned!

In other Zizka related Facebook news, I hate to report he posted that his daughter sprained and strained her hand after a pre-dawn tumble in high school running practice. At least it is not broken.

For the most part, I really can't remember a time when Zizka wasn't associated with the KRIV morning show.

In fact, he's been with the station for so long, he doesn't even have a proper career write-up on my blog since his Houston arrival pre-dates the blogging phenomena.

According to his bio, Zizka came to town in 1998 and has been the station's investigative reporter, the station's consumer advocate ‘Problem Solver' and reporter for the highly successful Predator Check.

From 1992 to 1998, Zizka was the consumer reporter for WSYX Columbus, Ohio. Before that, he was a reporter for WSAZ Huntington, West Virginia.

He is a graduate of Oakland University.

And I should add, that Zizka was recently named #71 on the Top 250 Most Influential Business Journalists this year by Richtopia.com.

Tom Zizka's son-in-law selected in 2025 NFL Draft

Tom Zizka is celebrating the Arizona Cardinals' selection of his son-in-law, Hayden Conner, in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

The former offensive guard for the Texas Longhorns played high school football at James E. Taylor High School in Katy.

The FOX 26 KRIV Houston weekend anchor posted video of Conner's selection watch party on social media. 

Zizka's daughter, Paige, and Conner met at Taylor High School, where they were both athletes.  

They were just married in early April 2025.

Drafted! @HaydenConner is going to the @NFL ...drafted by the @AZCardinals ! pic.twitter.com/plzATezuLc

— Tom Zizka (@TomZizkaFox26) April 26, 2025

Where is Fox 26 KRIV's Tom Zizka?

Tom Zizka has been a trooper trouper for Fox 26 KRIV. He came to the Fox owned Houston station in 1998 as a consumer/investigative reporter, then became a morning anchor and lately a fill-in main anchor.

A FOX rep told me Zizka is coming full circle and returning to a similar role to his first. Starting this week, he will cover consumer and business news for Fox 26's 5 and 9pm newscasts.

Zizka has been a familiar face on Fox 26 Morning News for many years as one of the many anchors on the now six hour long show. Most recently we saw Zizka serve as a fill-in main anchor after Mike Barajas left the station.

Now that former NBC/CBS network correspondent Don Teague has officially filled Barajas' empty chair, Zizka will return to his original role. As a former KTRK 13 consumer producer, I say the more consumer news in Houston, the better.

Zizka will be joining current Fox 26 consumer reporter Emily Akin and her "Take It To Akin" segments. Think two consumer reporters is a lot? Another Houston station that also has two consumer reporters is KTRK 13 with Jeff Ehling and Patricia Lopez.

VOTE FOR MIKEMCGUFF.COM: Help this blog win CBS Houston's Most Valuable Blogger Awards 2011 CLICK HERE (you can vote everyday) | Also, you can write me in for the Houston Press' Best of Houston 2011. Go to the end of the list and enter "Best Blogger Mike McGuff" in the "102. Category We Forgot" field.

Tom Zizka is having surgery, too

I just blogged Monday night that FOX 26 Houston KRIV morning anchor Melissa Wilson was having surgery.

Now we learn that weekend anchor Tom Zizka is going under the knife too, this time for a foot problem.

Our prayers go out to Tom and Melissa!

UPDATE AFTER ZIZKA SURGERY

Former Houston TV reporter passes away plus more

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MOVING

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FOX 26's Michelle Merhar announces baby #3

Viewers who were asking on Facebook were right, FOX 26 anchor & Traffic Authority Michelle Merhar is expecting

Michelle Merhar

Instead of just scripts and coffee, this morning on the FOX 26 KRIV news set, there was a teddy bear, pickles, cookies, chips and baby bottles!

The secret is out, anchor and Traffic Authority Michelle Merhar is pregnant with baby numero three.

"We don't know the gender yet, I don't know if we are going to find out yet, I don't know I kinda want to be surprised," an excited Merhar said.

Baby #3 arrives in July to meet Merhar's other kids Abby, 2, and James, 18 months.

"Hoo-wee you are going to have your hands full," added co-anchor Tom Zizka.

"We're doing the no sleep thing all at once, we're trying to knock it all out," replied Merhar.

I don't even really need to go into the current Houston TV baby wave we're in again. As you can tell from the links below, I'm going to busy in the next few months with birth announcements. But I can confidently say this, I will be nowhere as busy as the folks having kids!

Personally I am out of the baby phase of my life. It is now the beginning of the driving one here, one there, this birthday party, that birthday party, this sports activity, that sports activity. Get this, in the month of January we had birthday parties each Saturday and Sunday of the last two weeks.

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Fox 26 Meteorologist Mike Iscovitz, Jose Grinan FOX 26 Tom Zizka on Fox 26 Michelle Merhar FOX 26 Traffic Authority sit on set with a teddy bear, pickles, cookies, chips and.... BABY Bottles!Hmmm. Guess who's having a baby?!?!?! See big announcement here
Posted by FOX 26 Houston on Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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"At the foot of the FOX 26 Houston transmission tower, in Missouri City ...where we're preparing a remote studio... Just In Case our normal facilities are unavailable. #CoronaVirus," Zizka posted.

Someone comments on Zizka's post with, "What AREN'T you saying, Tom!!!????"

He replied, "Nothing ... just that a plan is in place IF someone at the station contracts the virus and we had to stay out of the building."

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HOUSTON

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Former abc13 KTRK reporter Foti Kallergis becomes Director of Public Relations and External Communications at Comcast from Director of Communications and Public Relations for Houston Airports, the City of Houston's Department of Aviation.

Tom Zizka enters into a new contract with FOX 26 KRIV.

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According to social media, Moriah A. Ballard leaves abc13 KTRK to go across the street to KPRC 2 to become a digital producer.

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AROUND TEXAS

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Michelle Merhar behind anchor desk, plus other Fox 26 news

Michelle Merhar new Fox 26 KRIV 4am and 5am news anchor

Michelle Merhar

Fox 26 KRIV Traffic Authority Michelle Merhar has lots of new things in her professional life. First, a new traffic system with improved on air maps. Then the other thing...I've confirmed she is the new 4am and 5am newscast anchor alongside another new addition to the show, Rita Garcia.

This follows my new T.O.T.T.S. way of finding out things - Turn On The Television Stupid. Merhar will anchor/cover traffic for the early shows and continue in the traffic role in the later morning blocks.

I've never met Merhar, but I feel like a proud, creepy uncle or something watching her career move up. Remember back in July of 2010 when I wrote about her joining Fox 26 from 740 KTRH? Back then I wrote:

"Just think, this video could be history in the making. If Merhar is still on the traffic post 10 years from now, or maybe even a TV anchor, we can all return to this post and say, "I was there for her first day!" It's almost akin to when The Wall fell. Cue David Hasselhoff."

Then I captured her first time behind the anchor desk just a few months ago.

Merhar has replaced the spot Chris Stipes left cold when he moved to the station's weekend newscasts.

Zizka back on morning news desk

In other Fox 26 morning news, readers have happily let me now that Fox 26 business reporter Tom Zizka has returned to the anchor desk in the later part of the morning news block. I hear he is filling in for Jose Grinan during the next few weeks.

Bye, Bye Fox 26 Investigates

After Arnold Diaz and his investigative unit was cut from Fox owned New York station WNYW, I wondered what was happening to Fox 26 Investigates and award winning reporter Randy Wallace. A Fox Television Stations rep tells me Wallace is now doing general assignments reporting. After my question, Wallace's web bio was changed from "investigative reporter" to "reporter." Now when all of this officially happened is still unclear.

Where's that Ford parked?

Then I'm still getting questions about Fox 26 reporter Ford Atkinson who hasn't been on the air since mid-December 2013. Both his Twitter and Facebook accounts stalled at that time too. A Fox spokesperson told me in December he was on vacation.

Melissa Wilson surgery updates

I told you how FOX 26 Houston KRIV morning anchor Melissa Wilson had surgery to fix a facial injury caused by an airbag.

"This is the first day I've been fully awake since surgery," Wilson told mikemcguff.com after surgery.  "Just wanted to update you that I had reconstruction to all my airways because of a severe airbag injury to my face years ago. Scar tissue eventually built up and led to sleep apnea. Even though I'm still swollen, I can't believe how good it feels to breathe well again. Love and hugs to all. And yes... I sit WAY BACK now, further from the dash to prevent it from ever happening again."

We now have more updates from the popular, longtime Channel 26 morning anchor.

- Tom Zizka is having surgery, too

Wilson started working for FOX 26 Houston in 2000. Originally on the evening shift with co-anchor Mike Barajas, and she then moved to the morning desk with José Griñán in 2010.  Wilson now co-anchors with DaLaun Dillard.

The Baylor University graduate also worked for Florida's News Channel and NewsChannel 6 KAUZ Wichita Falls.

Big Houston TV anniversaries in September!

Congrats to KHOU 11 Houston weekend sports anchor/sports reporter Matt Musil who arrived with the station in 1980 and is celebrating 43 years this September!

UPDATE 2024
Matt Musil leaves KHOU 11 Houston after 43 years

The semi-pro baseball player and college athlete graduated from Kansas State University and began his career with KNDY 1570 AM/94.1 FM Marysville, Kansas. 

He later moved to KWNS AM-FM Pratt, Kansas (now KWLS). 

Television came calling at KTVH 12 Wichita, Kansas (now KWCH).  Before Houston, Musil worked as sports director for WTVM 9 Columbus, Georgia.

Another big anniversary coming up for the sports journalist will be multi-decade fund-raising through the Matt Musil All-Star Charities.

And while she did not apparently post anything about it, Live at Five anchor Melanie Lawson is celebrating 41 years at abc13 KTRK! 

Next, it's off to FOX 26 Houston KRIV where weekend anchor Tom Zizka is celebrating 25 years, and morning anchor Melissa Wilson is celebrating 23 years with chief meteorologist Mike Iscovitz!

Heather Sullivan leaves FOX 26 Houston

Heather Sullivan announced her departure from FOX 26 KRIV Houston on Friday morning, mikemcguff.com has learned.

UPDATE
Heather Sullivan joins First Alert 4 KMOV St. Louis

UPDATE:  In her goodbye video, Sullivan says she is leaving for another TV station job (WATCH BELOW):

"It was a very hard decision to make. And I want to say, um, I love all of you guys. I mean, I take all of you with me in my heart the friendships I've made here, and also just all of the amazing opportunities that I've had to be able to take Sullivan's smart sense to Fox stations across the country. 

I've been able to create new shows...but I received a wonderful opportunity for a new anchor and consumer reporter position that will be announced soon in another market. 

And so, um, I'm choosing to take on that new adventure, but I take all of the viewers in my heart with me as well, because Houston has been an amazing place to be, and I really cherish my time here and in all of you especially."

Sullivan joined FOX 26 Houston in February 2020 as the station’s consumer reporter, appearing on Houston’s Morning Show and across FOX 26 newscasts. Her Smart Sense reports focus on helping Houston-area families save money and avoid scams, rip-offs, and consumer fraud.

Sullivan arrived at FOX 26 following the retirement of longtime Houston consumer reporter Emily Akin. 

We also learned she has an orange cat.

Prior to her move to Houston, Sullivan worked as a business, consumer, and political reporter at NBC12 WWBT in Richmond, Virginia. She also served as a national consumer correspondent for America Now, a Raycom Media–produced syndicated program, where her investigative consumer reports aired nationwide for four years.

Earlier in her career, Sullivan was a consumer investigative reporter and anchor at WSPA in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, and at WZVN in Fort Myers, Florida. She has also worked as an anchor, reporter, and host in Los Angeles at Ocean County Newschannel, and began her broadcasting career as an anchor and reporter at KVAL Eugene, Oregon.

An Emerson College graduate, Sullivan holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and political communication, along with an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Over the past decade, Sullivan has earned two Emmy Awards and a National Edward R. Murrow Award for her work as an anchor and consumer investigator in Richmond. Her investigations into illegal car sales, home-improvement fraud, and consumer scams earned her the South Carolina Broadcasters Association Reporter of the Year award. She also received a Murrow Award for her consumer product testing series, "Does It Work?" and was twice voted Best Anchor Team by Richmond Magazine.

OTHER FOX 26 HOUSTON RECENT NEWS
- Mekenna Earnhart joins FOX 26 Houston
- Melissa Wilson has surgery
- Tom Zizka is having surgery, too

Heather Sullivan's cat makes FOX 26 debut

Heather Sullivan was fill-in anchoring the FOX 26 KRIV Saturday 5pm newscast for Tom Zizka, and right in the middle of the show, there was a "purr-fect" segment.

Around 5:12pm, Sullivan's nice sailboat painting was obscured by an orange tabby cat. 

But the feline's fifteen seconds of fame were quickly cut down during a Matthew Seedorff report as when Sullivan returned, no cat.

Thanks to Don B. of Spring, TX who sent this one to me and summed it up, "Ohhh, the hazards of broadcasting from home."

Texas TV news and radio job moves September 2024

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

One of Houston Press Best Bets this week is Wednesday's screening of "Runaway Radio," the 101 KLOL documentary! BUY TICKETS (with KLOL cast Q&A)

- 2024 Lone Star EMMY Nominations
- Best TV News Bloopers September 2024

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Morning anchor "Good Day" Lauren Przybyl celebrates 15 years with FOX 4 KDFW.

NBC 5 KXAS morning anchor Laura Harris celebrates six years. 

CBS News Texas KTVT reporter Caroline Vandergriff celebrates 5 years with the station.

James Hartley leaves the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after 5 years.

Mesquite ISD’s radio station reaches 40th year.

UT Dallas Student Journalists Strike, Allege Retaliation for Palestine Encampment Coverage.

- Ed Werder to join WFAA’s coverage of the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024-2025 season
- Dallas Mavericks and TEGNA Announce New Multi-Year Broadcast Rights Agreement
- CW33 DFW changes local schedule
- Erin Moran gives birth to baby #2
- Jason Allen promoted to CBS News and Stations news hubs
- WFAA 8 DFW celebrates 75 years
- FOX 4 KDFW announces "The Ten"
- Laura Harris says yes to officiating TV wedding
- Briana Aldridge joins CBS News Texas
- DFW TV rides the State Fair of Texas live!
- Dallas sports fans victims of TV streaming wars
- Payton May joins FOX 4 KDFW
- FOX 4 KDFW "The Ten" debut delayed

HOUSTON

Why Did Houston Public Media Kill an HISD Podcast?

KPFT simulcast opens another chapter in Galveston's colorful radio history.

FOX 26 KRIV weekend anchor Tom Zizka celebrates 26 years with the station.

abc13 KTRK director Jeff Davis celebrates 25 years with the Disney station.

It’s the 6th anniversary of FOX 26 KRIV's "WakeUp! With Sally Mac and Lina." 

Meteorologist Caroline Brown celebrates 4 years with KPRC 2.

Free bilingual newspaper launches in Denver Harbor to civically engage Latino community.

Samir Becic, Houston’s renowned Fitness Czar, achieved a historic milestone by receiving the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN) Hero Award in Washington D.C.

Houston Landing hires eight journalists, launches strategic vision.

Texans snag comeback win moments before KHOU goes haywire.

Alison Young joins the Houston Landing as Associate Editor for Investigations.

Hanna Holthaus joins the Houston Landing as City Hall reporter.

Josh Innes, who has hosted shows at three different Houston sports radio stations, lost his gig on St. Louis radio in August and says he’d love to find a new spot back in Houston.

Producer Erica "Young" Cook leaves KPRC 2 after two decades.

Former KPRC 2 executive producer Louis Lochte joins HCA Florida Healthcare as Division Director of Media Relations.

KPRC 2 Assignment Editor Erika Ramirez joins the Houston Police Department as Public Information Officer.

Lucila Decia joins FOX 26 KRIV as a producer for weekend morning newscasts from CW39 KIAH.

Andy Katsafanas has been promoted to Local Sales Manager at Space City Home Network.

Sports Radio 610 KILT Settles Into Its New Home.

Wonderful World of the Cork - KHUL-FM, 1965.

- Mike Carr named ABC13 Houston KTRK president and general manager
- Premiere Networks adds “The Michael Berry Show” to national lineup
- Idolina Peralez returns to CW39 Houston...for now
- RaJan Monroe joins NGEN Radio
- KSAT San Antonio's ‘SA Live’ moves to 10 a.m.
- 13 Alert Radar network expands to College Station
- 100.3 The Bull gives away $20,000 to buy a horse
- Jennifer Reyna returns to KHOU 11
- Is abc13 Houston getting a new studio set?
- Justina Latimer leaves KPRC 2
- Deborah Duncan has pizza named after her
- Liz Roldán to leave KHOU 11 Houston
- Jonathan Novack returns to Houston with CW39
- FOX 26 anchor in fake AI video in 50 Cent video
- Caroline Collins hosts with her sister Lexi...who is who?
- Two former Houston TV reporters laid off from CBS News
- Abigail Dye victim of AI deep fake
- David Tillman to the rescue!

SAN ANTONIO

1200 WOAI and The Joe Pags Show News Anchor Cari Laque Reveals Cancer Diagnosis.

James Andrew ‘DJ Felli Fel’ Corrine debuts a new syndicated show on Univision Hip Hop “98.5 The Beat” KBBT.

 Zann Fredlund moves to Program Director of “Now 96.1” KXXM San Antonio and “96.7 Kiss-FM” KHFI Austin.

- 'SA Live' celebrates 10 years on the air
- RJ Marquez's KSAT San Antonio journey from digital to morning anchor
- Sarah Acosta is pregnant

AUSTIN

Restaurant Critic Patricia Sharpe to Retire After Fifty Years at Texas Monthly.

Jeremy Campbell is the Sr. News Director at Spectrum News Texas. For the past three months, he has been filling in as Interim Director. Larissa Cartwright left the position earlier this year. 

How FOX 7’s Tierra Neubaum Became the Top TV Personality in Austin.

Evening anchor Rebecca Thomas celebrates 9 years with FOX 7 KTBC.

Morning anchor John-Carlos Estrada celebrates five years with CBS Austin KEYE.

Tony Catalina joins the Austin American-Statesman as Texas A&M Beat Reporter.

“Vibe 93.3” KGSR adds the “Dana Cortez Show” for mornings and Jonathan ‘Snupe’ Daniel for afternoons.

Longtime Austin radio station gets city proclamation for KOOP Day.

Austin radio host launches podcast that goes to dark places.

- Austin TV hosts are expecting
- Jessica Cha joins KVUE Austin
- Mike Rush leaves KXAN Austin
- Kristen Currie addresses viewers questions about Hurricane Helene coverage

AROUND TEXAS

Big 12 Conference Launches 24/7 FAST Channel In Partnership With Raycom Sports.

“Power 108” KWPW Waco flips to Classic Country "107.9 The Bull."

iHeartMedia has announced a trio of leadership appointments in Texas.

Erika Navarijo Is Leaving Z95 Corpus Christi.

- Max Preston joins KAMR Amarillo
- Reagan Burke joins KLST San Angelo
- Fox 4 Beaumont launches new ARC local show
- Diamond Dickson joins KRIS 6 Corpus Christi
- Alejandro Sanchez joins Telemundo 40 Rio Grande Valley
- Carter Vandrasik joins KRBC Abilene
- Sonya Hill joins KNWA Northwest Arkansas
- Liz Dueweke leaves KFOX14 El Paso
- Bryce Brauneisen leaves CBS19 KYTX Tyler
- Brenda Matute leaves 12News KBMT Beaumont
- Darby Brown leaves KWTX 10 Waco
- Erika Harris returns to KFDM Beaumont

REMEMBERING

Donald "Don" Edward Peterson, 77, of League City, TX passed away.  He sold and managed radio stations for over 40 years in numerous markets, including Houston.  

Friends and former colleagues remember Dallas radio legend Sam Putney who was part of the top-rated Skip Murphy and Company Morning Show on K-104 FM in the 1990s and 2000s.

Remembering 3NEWS editor Terry Files.

- Chris Chicago of NGEN Radio has died

Fox 26 KRIV reporter cusses on air during 9pm news

Minutes after it happened, I already received a phone call about the Fox 26 KRIV reporter on air cussing incident. Next it was being mentioned on Twitter, Facebook and posted multiple times on YouTube (click here for full video - above video is short version).

Tuesday night on Fox 26 KRIV's 9pm newscast, reporter Pattie Shieh said a word that sounds like 'spit' on air in the close of her report. She was not live...it was on tape (or a video server these days technically). Shieh clearly did a liveshot at 5pm, then recorded a 9pm close, messed up the tag while delivering it to tape, uttered a cuss word due to the flub and started over. The next mess up was whoever put that piece of tape on air.

The newscasts director cut the tape off and immediately went to a 'coming up' bump. After the taped tease, anchors Melinda Spaulding and Tom Zizka apologized "for the profanity" and made it clear to the audience it happened on tape and not live.

The viewer response was actually quite supportive on the official Fox 26 KRIV Facebook page. Comments like:

"Wow!! That was awesome! Thanks as Patty!! I needed that laugh after a hard day at work!"
"Way to go Patty!!"
"Thanks for the much needed giggle Patty!"
"Lol, I love you patty!"

This type of thing is something no reporter/anchor wants to happen, but when it does, there have actually been some positive outcomes. In 2004, then KEYE 42 Austin sportscaster Robert Flores (formerly of KWTX 10 Waco), said a bad word on air that sounded like 'duck.' This was also on tape. He was fired from the station but landed an anchor job at ESPN.

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

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

FOX 26 KRIV is shaking up its morning show Monday.

Say goodbye to “FOX 26 Morning News” and hello to "Wake Up! With SallyMac & Lina."

We learned in August that KTVK/KPHO Phoenix weekend anchor Lina De Florias was joining channel 26 as its 4am to 6am anchor along side Sally MacDonald.

What we didn't realize at the time were the big changes in the works.

My first hint that a new show was coming was an obvious sign. No, I mean an actual sign. It was a billboard on Hwy59/I-69/Southwest Freeway - right across from KPRC 2's building of all places.

Based on the station's own promotions, we get an understanding this show will be different than the KRIV newscasts we are used to.

"You are going to get lots of smiles," De Florias told Isiah Factor Uncensored anchor Isiah Carey. "We want to get you everything that happened overnight while you were sleeping."

I've heard we can expect the show to follow a similar format as the channel 26 newscast "The News Edge at 10pm."

Nate Griffin is doing sports on the new newscast.

As far as other changes, this past week, we learned with the addition of this new show that longtime morning staple Tom Zizka was leaving the AM shows for weekends.