I was already at work on a school-related story (my primary beat these days) when we got word of breaking news on the north side of Houston. A police officer was possibly shot and killed. I immediately jumped in the car and went to the scene. Three of our photographers met me there. I quickly assessed that the officer, a 25 year HPD veteran, was killed while on his way to work. The circumstances of what may have led to the deadly encounter along the North Freeway remains under investigation. But Sgt. Sean Rios was not in uniform and was driving his personal vehicle. The attached live shot is from KHOU 11 News at 6:00. Editors put the video and sound together back at the station and I ad-libbed my script since a press conference wrapped up just minutes before.
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Monday, November 9, 2020
Houston ISD principal calling it quits after nearly 55 years with the district
KHOU 11 News recently "adopted" Atherton Elementary School. That means we'll do collection drives and other things to help the Fifth Ward area school. Its longtime principal (30 years) joined us on a morning editorial meeting Zoom call and I instantly knew he'd make a good feature story. I finally got around to putting it together. However, I didn't know until my interview with Dr. Albert Lemons that he had just informed Houston ISD that he would retire in early 2021. He's wrapping up a nearly 55 year career with the same district and three decades leading Atherton ES where he is a legend.
Data shows higher failure rates among at-home learners
I'm covering education stories fairly exclusively now. This story came about after an anecdotal story from one Houston are school district regarding higher failure rates among students learning from home compared to those who've returned to physical schools amid the pandemic. I did some research and found that most districts are reporting the same thing. Brazosport ISD's superintendent was willing to share his thoughts on camera. I "fronted" this story from a school in Lake Jackson, TX. That's about 45-hour south of Houston. Planning and coordination are key these days since my photographer/editors and I are working separately and have to rendezvous for live shots.