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.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Beta brings lots of rain, minor flooding and memories of Harvey
I went from Galveston Island to the Houston suburbs over the course of tropical storm/depression Beta's journey over SE Texas. Some areas got more than a foot of rain within 24 hours or so. But it paled in comparison to what Harvey did three years ago. However, it was enough to spark memories of that devastating storm that will likely become this area's benchmark for decades to come. This story is from Pearland where a number of homes suffered minor flooding. We also used one of our drones to get a better look.
Students learning remotely get an in-person boost
First post in a while! Just when I said to myself I was going to pay more attention to this. Anyway.. I've been designated KHOU's "education reporter" and most of my stories lately are associated with districts going back to school, COVID measures, remote v. in-person instruction. The attached story is also related to this. However, it's a positive feature too. Aldine ISD (a Houston area district) schools created teams to go out and encourage students in person as they learn remotely. They deliver support, food, awards, etc. It was a fun ride along.
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
"It's like a dream you can't wake up from." Families remember City of Houston employees who've died from COVID-19
https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/family-remembers-houston-public-works-employee-who-died-from-covid-19/285-acdeebed-91ef-4cf1-839b-57dfa02086e7
At least three City of Houston employees died from COVID-19 complications in a matter of days. One was a longtime Houston Fire Department captain. Two others were Houston Public Works employees. They're essential workers too. I used some old school reporter techniques (the white pages) to locate the sister of one of the public works employees. She agreed to do an interview with me from her home in San Antonio. She said she never imagined COVID would impact her inner family. Her sister, who struggled with asthma her entire life, died within a very short time after being tested for COVID following the apparent diagnosis of a supervisor at work.
On the back-to-school beat
COVID-19 continues to impact daily life in many ways. And it's definitely impacting the way children will learn in the coming school year. School districts across the Houston area (and many around the nation) continue to tweak plans to include mostly online/remote learning. Here in Texas, districts waited for weeks for new guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This story capsulizes highlights of the new guidance. I used a TEA YouTube clip for my soundbite and later got a one-on-one interview with the commissioner to use in later newscasts. KHOU reporters continue to work mostly from home.. But I was able to meet up with my photographer near my place to shoot stand-ups.