Covering Houston and Texas TV, radio, newspaper and other medianoreply@blogger.com (mike mcguff)Wed, 8 Jul 2026 20:41:45 -0500Blogger http://www.blogger.com11513125http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/en-usnocopyright mikemcguff.commikemcguff,Michael,McGuff,Houston,TV,technologyThe mikemcguff blog podcast will mostly feature technology issues, but you never know when it might lose control and just be entertaining.The mikemcguff blog podcast will mostly feature technology issues, but you never know when it might lose control and just be entertaining.mikemcguffmike@mikemcguff.commikemcguffhttp://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/2026-lone-star-regional-sports-emmy.htmlTexasWed, 8 Jul 2026 20:40:15 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-565897287639249879 The Lone Star Sports EMMY Awards celebrate excellence in Sports Broadcasting from across the State of Texas throughout the broadcast year. Congrats to the 2026 nominees.SEE THE NOMINEESThe Lone Star Sports Awards ShowMonday, August 24thEcho Hall, Dallas mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/gage-goulding-joins-cnn-as-seoul-based.htmlHoustonTue, 7 Jul 2026 09:55:21 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-1589338331537984965Gage Goulding is leaving KPRC 2 Houston and local TV behind for a role with CNN on the global stage.CNN announced this morning that Goulding has joined the network as an international correspondent based in Seoul, South Korea. In the new role, he will report on major stories from South Korea and across the Asia-Pacific region for CNN's television and digital platforms."We are pleased to welcome mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/susan-starnes-fmr-khou-11-and-kprc-2.htmlHoustonTue, 7 Jul 2026 01:17:23 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-1344615476869113520Susan Starnes, a longtime Houston television journalist whose reporting helped viewers understand everything from the Space Shuttle program to medical breakthroughs, has died. She passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026, at the age of 73, according to her obituary.Starnes spent more than two decades in broadcast journalism, building a respected career as a reporter, anchor, and broadcaster beforemike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/texas-tv-anchoring-is-family-affair.htmlHoustonTue, 7 Jul 2026 01:17:13 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-8247337844371247481Texas TV anchoring has always been a family affair, and that continues with two recent hires and their Houston TV relatives!As your lowly Houston media blogger since 2005, I've been blogging about the Barajas and Rascon media dynasties in Houston for years. In Austin, remember when Neal Spelce anchored with his daughter Cile on KEYE 42 in the early 2000s?Well, recent University of Texas at Austinmike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/charly-edsitty-reports-for-disney.htmlHoustonTue, 7 Jul 2026 01:16:52 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-6546139163534370783Charly Edsitty, the ABC13 Houston KTRK weekend anchor, went national on the network as the United States celebrated 250 years of independence.On July 4th, ABC aired "Disney Celebrates America," which ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic called “the longest commercial broadcast in history.” It was a 24-hour programming marathon from 10 p.m. July 3rd to 11 p.m. July 4th.The ABC mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/cole-banker-joins-news-4-tucson-kvoa.htmlTexasMon, 6 Jul 2026 22:38:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-2259558410349253184 Cole Banker is joining News 4 Tucson KVOA as the station's main sports anchor.Banker arrives in Tucson from KAMC/KLBK in Lubbock, Texas, where he most recently served as sports director after being promoted in September 2025. He initially joined the stations in June 2023 as a sports anchor and reporter, covering Texas Tech athletics, high school sports, and regional sporting events.A 2023 mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/joe-mccoy-joins-abc13-houston.htmlHoustonSat, 4 Jul 2026 02:41:17 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-7477748233559566948Joe McCoy is joining ABC13 KTRK Houston as a reporter, arriving from KARE 11 in Minneapolis, where he has worked as a dayside and weekend reporter since July 2024.Before moving to Minneapolis, McCoy spent more than a year at WQAD News 8, the TEGNA-owned station in the Quad Cities, where he worked as a multimedia journalist and weekend anchor. He joined WQAD in 2022 as an intern before being hiredmike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/brheanna-berry-debuts-on-khou-11-houston.htmlHoustonSat, 4 Jul 2026 02:33:40 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-8382202892127001388Brheanna Berry made her KHOU 11 Houston morning debut July 3, 2026, on the KHOU11+ morning stream, along with former ABC13 KTRK colleagues Jacob Rascon and Ilona Carson.Berry delivered her first consumer report and talked with the morning crew about her 4pm anchor role."Yes, [Ron Treviño]'s going to be stuck with me, so I hope you guys check me out at 4 p.m., and that's changed for me because mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/deborah-wrigley-makes-abc13-appearance.htmlHoustonSat, 4 Jul 2026 02:17:53 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-5980609503047282449Deborah Wrigley returned to ABC13 Houston KTRK in a report by Pooja Lodhia about the potential demolition of the historic Garden Oaks Theatre.Wrigley, considered one of the best reporters in Houston TV history, left the station in 2020 after more than four decades.- Phil Archer, Deborah Wrigley and Tom Koch retirement partyAnd speaking of the Garden Oaks Theatre's survival, Arthouse Houston mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/ashley-bowerman-departs-kold-13-fox-11.htmlTexasSat, 4 Jul 2026 02:05:36 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-907517675746578535Ashley Bowerman is leaving Tucson’s KOLD 13 News and FOX 11 (KMSB) after more than three years as the station’s main evening anchor and reporter, marking a return to her home state of Texas for a new on-air opportunity.Here is what Bowerman posted:"GOODBYE TUCSON! Today was my final day at KOLD/FOX 11. WOW! It's been a ride! What a pleasure and honor it has been to bring the Tucson community the mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/bella-popadiuk-joins-kens-5-in-san.htmlSan AntonioThu, 2 Jul 2026 23:59:52 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-2902624236696976129Bella Popadiuk joined KENS 5 in San Antonio as a multi-skilled journalist in June 2026.Before arriving at KENS 5, Popadiuk spent two years at KXXV 25 News in Waco, where she worked as a multimedia journalist covering stories across Central Texas. From 2024 to 2026, she served as the station's Neighborhood Reporter for Waco, Bellmead, and Lacy Lakeview.Popadiuk began building her broadcast career mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/newschannel-6-kauz-wichita-falls.htmlTexasThu, 2 Jul 2026 21:50:07 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-5372356051360503745Gray Media, Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire six television stations from American Spirit Media, LLC in a $50 million deal that expands Gray’s station portfolio across several markets, including one in Texas.Here in Texas, as part of the transaction, Gray will acquire NewsChannel 6 KAUZ in Wichita Falls (CBS DMA 159).The acquisition also includes the following American Spirit Media mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/emma-allen-leaves-san-antonio-for-katv.htmlSan AntonioWed, 1 Jul 2026 17:12:02 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-7006989224864135090Emma Allen has announced she is leaving her role as Morning Live Desk Anchor at News 4 San Antonio WOAI and FOX SA KABB to return to KATV 7 in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she will begin a new chapter as a meteorologist.Here is a portion of what Allen posted on social:"If you had told me a few years ago that I'd leave Arkansas to chase my dream, learn from an amazing newsroom in Texas, and then mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/07/will-kunkel-to-work-for-espn.htmlHoustonWed, 1 Jul 2026 16:21:40 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-3177350221040174932Former FOX 26 Houston KRIV sports director Will Kunkel has announced his next career move, signing a freelance contract as a fill-in host for ESPN Radio while continuing his search for a full-time opportunity.“I have finally signed a freelance contract,” Kunkel announced on social media. “I am going back to ESPN for fill-in work on ESPN Radio.”Now, Kunkel says he is returning to where his media mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/samantha-davies-leaves-nbc-5-kxas-dfw.htmldfwTue, 30 Jun 2026 23:51:52 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-5140650370594264943Samantha Davies is leaving her position as a meteorologist with the NBC 5 KXAS Dallas-Fort Worth weather team after more than 17 years with the station and nearly two decades with NBCUniversal.Here is what Davies posted:"This week wraps up my almost 20 years at NBC. I’m so thankful for my managers and teammates for supporting me over the years. It’s been a journey and am so honored NBC was mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/hunter-king-joins-ksat-12-san-antonio.htmlSan AntonioTue, 30 Jun 2026 23:37:20 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-5948800771518777186 Hunter King announced he is joining KSAT 12 San Antonio as a reporter in June of 2026.Here is what King posted:"Big news… San Antonio is my new home! I’m starting as a reporter at KSAT12 soon and I couldn’t be more excited.Those of you who know me know I love being back in Texas, and even though the past two years have taught me a lot, I can’t wait for this new adventure in the Alamo City.This mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/jessica-rivera-leaves-fox-7-austin.htmlAustinTue, 30 Jun 2026 23:31:33 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-4682306840726892479Jessica Rivera is leaving FOX 7 Austin KTBC, where she has served as the station’s education reporter since joining in December 2022.Here is what Rivera posted:"Today is my last day at FOX 7 Austin. It’s been a ride the past 3.5 years. To my community thank you for trusting me in telling your stories.What’s next? I’m taking a break, finally catching up on some sleep and spending much needed time mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/kelsey-sanchez-leaves-kvue-austin.htmlAustinTue, 30 Jun 2026 18:23:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-2590024585067733643Kelsey Sanchez left her KVUE Austin multiskilled journalist (MSJ) and reporter position back in March 2026.- Allison Hill joins KVUE Austin- Laura Sather named KVUE Austin assistant news directorSanchez started with the TEGNA Texas station in February 2023.Before joining KVUE, Sanchez spent two years as a multimedia journalist at WACH FOX in Columbia, South Carolina.Sanchez began her professionalmike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/iheartmedia-layoffs-in-houston-and.htmlHoustonRadioMon, 29 Jun 2026 18:30:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-6199058148028764318There has been a lot of coverage of last week's iHeartMedia layoffs, and we are getting a clearer picture of what is happening in Houston and across Texas.- KPRC 2 Houston experiences layoffs in June 2026In fact, I understand that more cuts across Texas could be announced soon.You can always check trade site radioINSIGHT for the latest national coverage of the iHeartRadio cuts.HOUSTONIn mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/fmr-austin-anchor-apologizes-after.htmlAustinMon, 29 Jun 2026 17:19:39 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-7396897171816939239Abigail Velez, who is now a reporter and fill-in anchor for ABC7 KABC Los Angeles and just left CBS Austin KEYE in October 2025, is apologizing for a live report in which she tried "to have a little fun with World Cup competition."Now the newly hired Southern California TV journalist is going viral from the pages of the New York Times to the New York Post.Watch her report where Velez says mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2027/01/sherman-desselle-leaves-fox-26-houston.htmlHoustonMon, 29 Jun 2026 16:08:12 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-4658888562648672111 Sherman Desselle is leaving FOX 26 KRIV Houston, where he joined the station in June 2022 as a reporter and fill-in anchor.Here is what Desselle posted to social:"After four years in Houston and 18 years in this business, it was time to make a change - not just a new job title, but an opportunity that would be better for my family and me beyond the newsroom. I thank God for this new opportunity.mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/trason-bragg-promoted-to-khou-11.htmlHoustonFri, 26 Jun 2026 22:15:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-669120474537722602Trason Bragg has been announced as the new KHOU 11 Houston noon anchor multiple sources confirm to mikemcguff.com, so get your resumes ready, as his weekend morning position is likely open. We now have the puzzle pieces assembled to understand the aftermath of the tectonic shift made at Channel 11 after Shern-Min Chow's retirement!With Bragg taking Chow's midday anchoring chair, that mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/kprc-2-houston-experiences-layoffs-in.htmlHoustonFri, 26 Jun 2026 22:00:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-3394747474368147235KPRC 2 Houston had four layoffs this week.- iHeartMedia layoffs in Houston and Texas in June 2026A spokesperson told mikemcguff.com it was "part of a departmental reorganization that didn’t involve the newsroom."In March 2026, KPRC had two layoffs, as I reported at the time. Other June Channel 2 departures include Brittany Begley, Robert Arnold and Gage Goulding.mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/ron-rosseau-retires-from-ktab-abilene.htmlTexasFri, 26 Jun 2026 20:05:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-5919664385196357663After more than four decades in television and two separate stints at the station, Ron Rosseau is signing off from KTAB Abilene.Rosseau retires from his role as KTAB’s morning anchor on June 26, 2026.A familiar face to Big Country viewers, Rosseau first joined KTAB in 1981 as a reporter shortly after graduating from Abilene Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication.He mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)http://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2026/06/jeff-ray-signs-off-at-cbs-news-texas.htmldfwFri, 26 Jun 2026 17:57:47 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17428954.post-9060413305863851743 After more than four decades in television and nearly 16 years at CBS News Texas KTVT Dallas-Fort Worth, senior meteorologist Jeff Ray delivered his final broadcast on Friday, June 26, 2026, and his colleagues made sure it was a sendoff to remember.His broadcasting career spans more than 40 years.The station turned the occasion into what they jokingly declared “First Alert Jeff Ray Day,” mixing mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff)