Anchoring #HTownRush

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/khou-11-news-top-headlines-at-6-am-december-26-2018/285-8382838?jwsource=cl

KHOU recently re-branded its morning news to "#HTownRush."  The hash tag is played up for social media purposes.  The holiday season usually means more fill-in opportunities for me.  This is a clip from the a-block of the 6:00a hour of #HTownRush the day after Christmas.  The show moves along pretty quickly thanks, in part, to a number of pre-produced segments.       

Fellow WWII vet reflects on Bush 41's service

https://www.khou.com/video/features/fellow-world-war-ii-veteran-reflects-on-bush-41s-service-and-legacy/285-8349973

The number of World War Two veterans is increasingly diminishing.  The challenge for this story was finding one in Houston who was willing and able to share thoughts on the passing of President George H.W. Bush.  I called Honor Flight Houston and an employee there hooked me up with Robert Paschal.  Paschal served in the Army Air Corps in Europe as Bush served in the Navy in the South Pacific.  The two met once in recent years.     

Finding the perfect Christmas tree

https://www.khou.com/video/life/holidays/tree-tips-finding-a-christmas-tree-that-will-last/285-8342033

Sooo.. It was Black Friday and I needed a story.  NOT one about shopping, necessarily.  It's the time when many people begin looking for holiday trees.  So I found a local tree seller willing to play in a pinch.  My photographer and I put together this piece about what to look for in a tree.  There may be some obvious stuff here.  But we had fun.  By the way, these particular trees were stunning with prices to match.

Sitting down with a former Secretary of State

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/james-baker-on-dysfunction-in-politics/285-8343807

James Baker not only served as U.S. Secretary of State.. He's been Chief of Staff twice, Treasury Secretary, and Commerce Secretary.  Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy was named in his honor.  I got a chance to discuss the institute and other topics with Baker on the eve of its 25th anniversary gala.  President Barack Obama was the special guest.  The focus of this story was the lack of civility in current politics.  Baker and I also spoke about his longtime friend and former boss, President George H.W. Bush.  The two regularly go out for oysters. 

Something different for a Thanksgiving dinner story

https://www.khou.com/video/features/watch-heb-budget-friendly-options-for-thanksgiving-dinner/285-8324721

It's that time of year.  When you inevitably end up on a story about Thanksgiving dinner.  In this case, I decided to do something a little different.  I recruited H-E-B to help me figure out a Thanksgiving dinner for four that would cost less than $30.  We shot it entirely with a GoPro and, fortunately, the expert shopper did everything in one take.  I think it turned out well.  And there was money left over.

Final campaign push with Cruz and O'Rourke

https://www.khou.com/video/news/politics/all-eyes-on-texas-senate-race/285-8304018

The battle between Sen. Ted Cruz and challenger Beto O'Rourke has been one of the nation's most-watched races.  Each candidate campaigned numerous times in the Houston area.. Home to the most voters in the state.  I caught up with both campaigns on the last full day before the election.  Cruz agreed to do and one-on-one interview aboard his bus.  He stuck to the Houston suburbs while O'Rourke appeared downtown before heading to Dallas. 

Tornado touches down in far Houston suburb

https://www.khou.com/video/weather/tornado-tears-through-neighborhood-near-mont-belvieu/285-8300387

I worked in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee before coming to Texas.  That means I've covered a lot of tornadoes.. Many of them deadly.  This tornado didn't pack much of a punch.  But it did some damage in the Houston area on Halloween night.  It was enough to warrant a story for the me the next day in the far east suburb of Mont Belvieu.  Fortunately, plenty of storm victims were willing to share their stories.

Creepy clown cited while "scaring up" business

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/creepy-clown-in-trouble-for-scaring-shoppers/285-8299297

I actually bought a Halloween mask to help tell this story.  Some may consider it an improvement :).  Basically, a manager of one of those pop-up Halloween stores was cited for disorderly conduct for being too aggressive in the parking lot while drumming up business.  I kind of thought someone must have overreacted.  But I got all sides of the story.  The mother who complained, the police, and the creepy clown who took off his mask for me.  I bought one just like it for my live shot.

Weekend news anchoring

https://www.khou.com/video/news/khou-11-top-headlines-at-7-am-oct-20-2018/285-8288037

I was the weekend anchor in a former market.  But it's done a little differently here.  You work a split shift on Saturday.  That means you come in and do the morning news from 7:00-9:00a.. And then return for the evening shows.  Hopefully, you get a nap in between.  Here's a clip from the A-block of a Saturday morning newscast. 

Sen. Ted Cruz/Beto O'Rourke debate for the first time

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/texas/cruz-orourke-debate-in-dallas/285-8259529

Texas Senator Ted Cruz took on challenger Beto O'Rourke for the first time this election season.  KHOU decided to send me to cover it.  It took place on the campus of SMU in Dallas.  My photographer and I drove up early on a Friday and did a couple of preview stories leading up to the actual debate.  Debates are always challenging to present in a 1:30 or so story.  I tried to touch on some of the more crucial exchanges.  Fortunately, people could also watch the debate in its entirety online.  It was one of three debates between the pair in one of the nation's most-watched races.

Houston getting its first In-N-Out Burger and SOME people are excited

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/in-n-out-burger-arriving-in-stafford-soon/285-8261568

You'd think In-N-Out is the end all be all burger based on the opinions of some of my KHOU colleagues (from the west coast).  We've been following rumors of Houston's first In-N-Out since I've been here.  Now we know it will be part of a massive mixed-use development in Stafford (a suburb).  I had fun with this story by getting some opinions at a nearby Whataburger.  For those who don't know.. Whataburger is sacred to most Texans. 

Texas's longest-serving mayor talks to me about nearly 50 years on the job

https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/longtime-stafford-mayor-in-office-since-1969-plans-to-run-again/285-598042630

This is a story I kind of happened upon.  Obviously, the people of Stafford, TX (a Houston suburb) know of Leonard Scarcella's long tenure as mayor.  But not everyone does.  I interviewed him about a major new development coming to the city and chatted with him afterward.  He told me he was first elected in 1969.  I thought "wow."  I pitched that as a story the next day.  Turns out, Scarcella is Texas's longest-serving mayor and he may be the longest-serving mayor nationwide who is still alive.  And he plans to run again next year.

New home's flood-tolerant features include water-storing driveway

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/home-designed-to-prevent-flooding/285-8251987

I've done countless follow up stories in the wake of Hurricane Harvey's historic flood.  Those have included stories about new post-flood construction.  In this case, I noticed a new home advertised in a hard-hit area includes an interesting driveway that's capable of temporarily holding a bunch of water underneath it.  It's simply a new measure meant to ease the burden on storm drains and bayous in a heavy rain event.  As you might imagine, the home's builders were more than happy to show it off.

District considers rule change after boy wears makeup to school

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/alvin-isd-considers-change-to-dress-code-after-male-is-student-disciplined-for-wearing-makeup/285-8249633

This is a good example of a story coming together over several hours after getting an assignment.  All I was told is that someone posted on social media that a boy was suspended from a high school in Alvin ISD (a Houston-area school district) for wearing makeup to classes.  I started by going to Alvin High School on a hunch that it might have happened there.  It didn't.  That's something I learned from a district official who also agreed to talk about the issue on camera.  I eventually made contact with the boy via Twitter and we followed up with him the next day.

Non-profit still works to replace trees killed by Harvey

https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/nonprofit-working-to-replace-scores-of-trees-killed-by-hurricane-harvey/285-589707672

It's been more than a year since Hurricane Harvey wiped out thousands of trees in the Houston area.  In many cases, it's take months for them to die.  Some will take even longer.  A local group called Trees For Houston works to replace damaged trees at little or no cost to parks and other entities.  I got to tour one of its farms for this story.  A quick trip to a couple of places that were under water a year ago revealed numerous dead or dying trees.

Mother Sues Motel Where Daughter Was Killed By Pimp

https://www.khou.com/video/news/crime/mother-of-sex-trafficking-victim-sues-motel/285-8220276

This story was a follow-up to a murder we covered two years ago.  The victim was a prostitute whose pimp was convicted.  Now, her mother is suing the motel where it happened.  That's possible thanks to a law that allows places where sex trafficking occurs to be held accountable in civil court.  The victim's mother agreed to speak with me about the lawsuit.  She was clearly emotional.. But wanted her story to be told.  People behind the law and lawsuits like this hope they help curb the sex trafficking issue that's such a scourge on Houston and the surrounding area.

Harvey-Wrecked Wortham Center Close To Reopening

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/inside-look-at-wortham-theater-centers-ongoing-harvey-recovery/285-8229760

The Wortham Theater Center was among several Houston theaters flooded by Hurricane Harvey.  It was the most damaged by far.  I happen to live a block away from it and have closely followed its restoration.  The building has been closed to the public since the flood.  But I thought the one year anniversary of Harvey was a good time to update the project.  I got clearance to get a camera inside and take a look around.  It was also an opportunity to promote the first public event at the Wortham since it was closed for repairs.

Ghost Kroger

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/shopping-for-answers-pearland-kroger-delay/285-8191103

It's always fun when we get to use the drone for a story.  In this case, it was to help illustrate the vast expanse where a Kroger store was supposed to have been built.  Ground was broken nearly two years ago.  A parking lot was installed and even landscaping.  But there's still no store.  We tried to get some answers for nearby residents who have been wondering when the store might be finished. 

Pear-fect story about an art installation

https://www.khou.com/video/news/community/pear-shaped-sculptures-add-artistic-flair-to-pearland/285-8192264

I love art.  So, I'm always happy to do a story about it.  I noticed several pear-shaped sculptures in the Houston suburb of Pearland and pitched it as a story.  The installations aren't necessarily new.  But their presence is something a lot of people probably didn't know about.  They're used to brighten parts of the city and serve as destination points for visitors.  There's even a scavenger hunt you can play.  Getting a break from news-of-the-day is always a treat for this reporter. 

Students Helping Harvey Victims "Bounce" Back

https://www.khou.com/video/news/community/students-spend-summer-rebuilding-from-hurricane-harvey/285-8167088

I've done a number of stories on a youth organization called Bounce that has helped Harvey victims recover since the massive flood.  In this case, kids were spending part of their summer vacation north of Houston helping repair a retired couple's home.  It's always amazing (and disheartening) to see how far so many people still need to go to fully recover.  I'm glad there are perfect strangers willing to pitch in.  My photographer even broke out a drone to help tell the story.

More Anchoring: Legal Journal

https://www.khou.com/video/features/answering-your-legal-questions-july-1-2017/285-2649077

Anchoring the Saturday morning show means chatting with KHOU legal analyst Gerald Treece.  Viewers get to submit questions on various topics.  I usually learn a few things too.  The Saturday morning newscast is two hours long.  It's nice to be able to do more long-form elements.

More Anchoring

https://www.khou.com/video/features/drinking-axe-throwing-a-hot-houston-trend/285-8176597

Here's another clip of my introducing a story during a recent stint filling in on the anchor desk.  The story is about a new ax throwing bar (yikes).  We have a little fun following the reporter's piece.  Always enjoy getting some time on the desk.

Filling In On The Anchor Desk

https://www.khou.com/video/news/hundreds-pack-downtown-houston-to-protest-for-immigrant-families/285-8176082

Got the chance to fill in on the anchor desk recently.  He's a clip of me introducing a story about the ongoing concerns along the Texas border.  In this case, the story was about a protest in Houston.  I also do a quick chat with the reporter following her piece.  I was an anchor for the 4:00 newscast at my last station and served as weekend anchor at the station before that.  I consider myself a reporter first and foremost.. As every good anchor should.

Historic Hotel Swamped By Harvey Slowly Rebuilding

https://www.khou.com/video/features/citys-oldest-hotel-bouncing-back-post-harvey/285-8125975

This is a story I pitched numerous times before actually doing it.  The historic Lancaster Hotel is located two blocks from where I live.  So I've noticed all of the work that has taken place since Hurricane Harvey.  The flood destroyed the first two floors of the hotel just a month after new owners took over.  They planned a remodel.  It became a major renovation.  I was given exclusive access to the interior as the work continues.   

Years-Long Highway Project Nearing An End

https://www.khou.com/video/traffic/hwy-290-construction-nearing-an-end/285-8127891

The widening of the Northwest Freeway (290) in Houston has been a years-long project and nightmare for thousands of commuters.  Many have even changed the way they go to and from work because of the hassle.  But the end is finally in sight.  Officials say the main lanes will be finished by the end of 2018.  Fortunately, the project spokesman is a former KHOU reporter and knew the deadline we faced to put together a 4:00 story (the earliest afternoon newscast).  I found a place along the highway for the live shot and showed the area that will eventually become brand new lanes.

Boy's Hand Made With 3D Printer

https://www.khou.com/video/features/8-year-old-boy-thankful-for-new-hand/285-2428590

This was an inspirational story about how technology can help change a kid's life.  The elementary school student was born without one of his hands.  He often became upset on the playground or in other settings where other kids were able to fully function.  That changed once his story got to engineering students at the University of Houston and a group called e-Nable.  They used a 3D printer help craft a new hand.  Little Rafael told me he finally felt like a real kid.  He didn't appear to be letting it hold him back.

Farewell To A First Lady

https://www.khou.com/mobile/article/news/local/bush-41-greets-those-paying-respects-to-barbara-bush-at-her-visitation/285-543588783

"America's grandmother" was remembered fondly by fellow Houstonians.  I did several stories leading up to Barbara Bush's funeral service.  This is from the public visitation.  Thousands lined up to simply walk past her casket.  At one pint, her husband of 73 years, former President George HW Bush, entered the church and shook the hands of a number of mourners.  It was a special moment.  People got to take home a card featuring Ms. Bush's photo.  They'll likely never forget meeting Mr. Bush.

School Board Drama

https://www.khou.com/mobile/article/news/education/hisd-board-will-not-vote-on-turning-10-campuses-into-charter-schools/285-545774597

I spent years in Memphis covering education.  Turns out, things get interesting in Houston schools too.  In this case, a number of people were dragged out of a board meeting for raising a stink over a proposed plan to turn over some campuses to a charter operator.  I started the next day working on a follow-up.  There were several developments in the story as the day progressed.  As usual, we had to adapt.  That included getting an interview with one of two women charged after being forcibly removed from the meeting.

Things Looking Up Downtown

http://www.khou.com/video/news/local/the-changing-face-of-downtown-houston/285-2679129

This was a longer form story on residential growth in downtown Houston.  It's where I live.  I've seen the rise in the number of residential properties myself.  I was given a couple of days to put this together.  It helped having a creative photographer/editor who really helped make the piece visually appealing.  I really like the interspersed sounds of the city, including the light rail trains. 

Student Named "Most Likely To Become A Terrorist"

https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2017/05/26/7th-grader-mocked-most-likely-become-terrorist/102194334/

This story sparked the biggest response I've ever gotten on Twitter.  I simply posted a photo of a student's certificate that read "most likely to become a terrorist."  That's right.  What a teacher apparently thought was a funny joke ended up drawing the ire of people around the world.  I think that initial tweet ended up being liked or retweeted 500,000+ times.  We later ended up identifying the teacher (who was fired) and talking with this student and her mother again. 

Out To Sea With NASA

https://youtu.be/BxprPCKB6D4

I should always keep Dramamine in my bag.  That's a lesson I learned during this shoot.  But it was still a lot of fun, despite the seasickness.  We were aboard a Coast Guard cutter watching NASA astronauts practice splashdown procedures off Galveston Island.  They did the rehearsals over a 12-hour period on a very humid summer day.  My photographer, Sergio, is a former Navy man.  He got his sea legs a long time ago. 

HPD Chief Takes Me Through Pursuit

https://youtu.be/fjpeKIwEjoQ

You've heard of high-speed chases.  This one was in slow motion.  But Houston Police took their time with a man who was wanted for an assault and possibly armed.  Folks in the newsroom kept saying "why are they letting him go?!" as we watched it play out from our news chopper's vantage point.  We invited the chief of police to the station after the chase in order for him to take us through the video.  We played it back on a big monitor in the studio.  It's a non-traditional way of telling the story. 

Hurricane Harvey

https://youtu.be/zUXpIOclTIQ

I'm going back an reviewing some stories I've covered since arriving in Houston.  I couldn't leave Hurricane Harvey out.  This live shot is from my coverage on Galveston Island before the storm hit.  Winds were picking up and the rain had started.  Little did we know the punch Harvey would pack.  This is the kind of stories we often end up doing in advance of a storm.  They usually consist of "walk and talks" and just showing what's going on around us.

Urban Chickens

https://youtu.be/op_fA_EOnV4

This is a fun story I did last year in a Houston suburb.  It's not where you'd normally find chickens.  But these are brought in on specially-built coops to live with families for short periods of time.  I happened to notice a "Rent-The-Chicken" truck at a gas station and asked about what they did.  That turned into a story.  I even got to hold a bird myself.  This segment was taken from a CBSN newscast which featured my story that orginally aired on KHOU 11 News.

Back On My Blog!

http://www.khou.com/video/news/local/houston-dreamers-shining-light-on-dream-act/285-8073565

This is my first post since coming to Houston!  I may go back and include some past stories I've done since I've been here (including Harvey and Super Bowl LI coverage).  I thought this story was worth posting because it illustrates what can be done with limited resources.  It's about Dreamers looking to rekindle interest in their fight for full citizenship.  Dreamers are undocumented immigrants who came to this country with their parents as children.  My photographer, Nathan, and I only had an interview set up.  Thankfully, students had lighted signs assembled before we arrived.  Some creative shooting and a compelling interview turned into a good story.