Saddling up for a live shot

https://khou-vh.akamaihd.net/i/video/fb95337e-14b0-4743-95fd-a12f43766411/fb95337e-14b0-4743-95fd-a12f43766411_,350,640,1000,2000,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8

The Houston Livestock Show & Radio is the biggest annual event in these parts.  It proves that Houston is definitely still part of Texas.  Trail rides (cowboys and cowgirls who ride into town on horseback or in wagons) kick off the three week-long event every year.  I caught up with the different groups as they arrived at Memorial Park.  I even mounted a horse for the live shot in the attached clip.  As you can see, I needed some guidance. 

Inside the new KHOU

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-khous-new-station/285-4e5a5c55-0655-4bd4-b8ea-1d4e72dc550b?jwsource=cl

It's been 18 months coming.  We're finally in the process of moving into brand new post-Hurricane Harvey studios.  The historic flood destroyed our old station on Allen Parkway.  We're been sharing space with Houston Public Media ever since.  It hasn't been ideal.  But, after months of nonstop work and construction, we'll soon all be under one rood again.  I did a story when we originally announced our new location.  I got to do this follow up as the first phase of the move-in began.  The new digs far exceeded my expectations.

Unloading Astroworld memorabilia

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/astroworld-on-the-auction-block/285-a6c226e7-58ae-4d5c-b26a-e52d76105fda?jwsource=cl

Ever heard of Astroworld?  Me either before I moved to Houston.  It was a much-loved theme park built adjacent to The Astrodome and later operated by Six Flags.  It closed in 2005.  One lady spent a lot of money over the years buying up pieces of memorabilia related to the defunct park.  I did this story as she prepared for an auction to try and get rid of much of her collection.  People were already submitting bids.

So many stories during the government shutdown

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/longtime-nasa-worker-says-shes-never-seen-a-government-shutdown-like-this/285-89042a04-dc6c-4e49-b21d-d4ab6e281b2e?jwsource=cl

The recent partial government shutdown provided so many personal stories.  Fortunately, federal workers were willing to talk with us as the inconvenience dragged on.  I happened to run into the woman in this story while staking out a restaurant that was providing free food for furloughed workers and others.  She's worked at NASA for more than 30 years.  I also liked how my live shot turned out at Johnson Space Center. 

Officer shot four times shares thoughts on latest HPD shooting

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/hpd-veteran-shot-in-the-line-of-duty-is-praying-for-fellow-officers/285-3d7b9ff1-bf09-40be-92aa-c2ceec48b747?jwsource=cl

Multiple Houston Police officers were shot this week while serving a warrant.  TV stations, including us, immediately went into full coverage mode.  That means we do "sidebar" stories in addition to reporting the ongoing investigation.  I was able to get an interview with an HPD vet who was shot four times nearly two years ago.  He still can't walk.  I met Ronny Cortez and his wife, Sheri, on their way into his latest MRI appointment.  They wished the injured officers well as their roads to recovery begin.

Stray bullet strikes Cypress family's home

https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/stray-bullet-narrowly-misses-cypress-father/285-6fe08f10-9d5a-424c-9dd7-cdca76611a56?jwsource=cl

This was a frightening story.  One of our producers first spotted it on Facebook.  A woman shared the details there.  Basically, a stray bullet struck her family's home and barely missed her husband's head.  The neighbor's house was shot as well.  My photographer and I went out and interviewed the family.  They showed us where the bullet went through a fence, the exterior wall of their home, an interior wall, and a bathroom door.  It finally struck a tile shower liner and landed in the bathtub.

Houston native killed in Kenya terror attack

https://www.khou.com/video/news/jason-spindler-was-destined-for-greatness-parents-say/285-fb6cca99-05f3-43f6-af96-66eb3645e933?jwsource=cl

This story started after we heard the only American killed in a Nairobi, Kenya terror attack had ties to Texas.  We quickly learned that Jason Spindler grew up in Houston.  My mission was to track down any friends or family willing to speak about the tragedy.  We gathered lots of stuff via social media.  Then we figured out Spindler's father is a local doctor.  I called his practice and his receptionist was willing to share Dr. Spindler's phone number.  He and his wife welcomed us into their home during this difficult time.  They wanted to make sure Jason's legacy was shared.. And not just the way his life ended.